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Short-term Observations

Illustration of healthcare clinical setting.

Nuka Learning Program offers short-term observations in clinical and non-clinical settings for learners (students, residents, interns, externs, etc.) to work and learn in medical services, behavioral health, Tribal and community-based services.

Short-term observation requests are available year round.

Observation Request Form

Programs

The following programs can host short-term observations, depending on department capacity.

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Complementary Medicine Clinic

  • Services: Southcentral Foundation’s Complementary Medicine Clinic is a referral-based clinic providing chiropractic, acupuncture and clinical massage therapy services to customer-owners in partnership with the primary care clinics, OB-GYN, and specialty pediatrics.

Obstetrics and Gynecology

  • Services: Southcentral Foundation Obstetrics and Gynecology department provides a full range of health services for both pregnant and non-pregnant people throughout the life continuum. Low-risk and high-risk obstetric care is provided as well as comprehensive gynecologic care. We also partner with the Maternal Fetal Medicine clinic and the Gynecologic Oncology clinic for more specialized care needs.

Dietitian

  • Services: Registered dietitian nutritionist (RDNs) provide medical nutrition therapy for preventative care, acute needs, and chronic disease management. Nutritionists work within an interdisciplinary team to support the needs of customer-owners and their families and provide services within Southcentral Foundation Anchorage Native Primary Care Center, Pediatrics Specialty clinic, and the Benteh Nuutah Valley Native Primary Care Center. RDN specialty services include advanced diabetes educators for children and adults, in addition to specialty roles in pediatrics and OB-GYN.  Students may expect to gain experience in medical nutrition therapy for diabetes, weight management, metabolic disorders, cardiac disease, oncology, failure to thrive, lactation, adult and pediatric tube feeding, and general nutrition education. Additional experiences may include menu reviews for SCF programs, group education, and nutrition education material development.

Inpatient Pediatrics

  • Services: The Inpatient Pediatrics department provides a broad range of inpatient pediatrics services at the Alaska Native Medical Center. Pediatric hospitalists cover admitted sick children, infants in a level II NICU, consults in the emergency department, consults with regional hospitals, attend high risk deliveries and pediatric traumas, and hold pediatric field clinics across the state. Because we are a tertiary care facility, we provide care to sick infants and children, including medically complex children from across the state of Alaska. Students participate in the daily care of admitted children, including attending multidisciplinary rounds and participating in the admission and discharge process. This is a high volume and busy rotation. Students will leave with a broad range of pediatric clinical knowledge as well as a better understanding.

Rehabilitation Therapies and Exercise

  • Services: Southcentral Foundation’s Rehabilitation Therapies and Exercise department provides outpatient physical therapy (orthopedics, neurologic, pelvic health), occupational therapy, speech therapy, exercise, and customer-owner and employee wellness services. Medical/clinical professions that support the clinic include direct referrals from SCF primary care providers and specialty services.

Primary Care

  • Services: Southcentral Foundation’s primary care clinics provide services for all ages in acute and chronic disease treatment and preventive care. Primary care offers same-day appointments for their customer-owners. They practice the Nuka integrated care team model and work with a large variety of integrated resources including: pharmacists, behavioral health consultants, midwives, registered dietitians, community resource consultants, physical therapists, psychiatrists, and pediatricians.
  •  There are multiple locations for opportunities in Primary Care:
    • Anchorage Native Primary Care Center
    • Benteh Nuutah Valley Native Primary Care Center

Behavioral Health Care Services

  • Services: Southcentral Foundation provides a variety of behavioral health care services, ranging from outpatient to emergency behavioral health services. Services are available in Anchorage and Wasilla.

How to Apply

Application

Applications for short-term observations are available year round.

Requirements:

  • Apply 4 weeks in advance
  • Must be at least 18 years old
  • Must comply with employee health requirements

Alaska Native/American Indian Preference in Employment:

Pursuant to the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act, as amended, SCF pursues a policy of Alaska Native/American Indian preference in hiring, contracting, and training.

Apply for Short-term Observation

Positions

Physicians, Physician Assistants, Dieticians, Registered Nurses, Registered Nurse Case Management, Nurse Practitioner, Certified Nurse Midwife, Medical Assistant, Dental Assistant, Child Life Specialist, Occupational Therapists, Physical Therapists, Chiropractors, Exercise Specialists, Speech and Language Pathologists, Ultrasonographer, Radiologic Technicians, etc.

Employee Health Requirements

  • PPD skin test or QuantiFERON Tuberculosis blood test completed within the last 12 months (date of last test, needs to be within the last year)​
  • Varicella 2 vaccines or titer results showing immunity​
  • Hepatitis B Series (3 vaccines) or positive titer results​
  • Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (2 vaccines each or 2 MMR series) or proof of immunity​
  • Tetanus, Diphtheria, and Pertussis (within last 10 years)​
  • Influenza seasonal vaccination (current season)​
  • COVID-19 (documentation of completed vaccination, rotation cannot start within two weeks of final vaccination, no exceptions)