ID AHEC partners with middle schools throughout Idaho to present "Orientation to Health Careers".

One way of increasing the primary care workforce in rural areas is to recruit and retain current medical professionals to live and practice in small towns. Another method is to encourage people already living in rural areas to consider entering into primary health care fields. This is a long-range "grow your own workforce" initiative known as "pipeline activities". Our Orientation to Health Care Careers program is a key pipeline activity that works to expose young people to a range of healthcare career options and make linkages between middle school students and existing pipeline programs in area high schools.

With support from the Idaho Office of Rural Health and Primary Care, ID-AHEC is currently partnering with the Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA) club in Weiser and 4-H program in Caldwell. 

The key elements of this program include the following:

1) Presentations made by two or more primary health care providers. These can include

          a) general practitioner or family physician
          b) physician assistant
          c) nurse practitioner
          d) nurse
          e) dentist
          f) pharmacist

2) Presentation(s) will be made by at least one representative of Public Health.

3) A tour will be given at a hospital, clinic or other medical facility.

4) A hands-on activity will take place in a high school science class setting.

For further information about the Orientation to Health Careers program, contact Linda Bennett This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 208-336-4433, ex. 253