National, Regional, or State-Level Initiatives |
“Welcome Back Initiative”
-
Established 2001
-
10 centers in 9 states: CA, MA, MD, ME, NY, PA, RI, WA
-
Centers work in collaboration with a community college, resource center, or department of health
|
Focus: Individuals who meet 3 criteria:
-
Received formal education and training outside the United States
-
Live in the center's respective state
-
Interested in entering/working in the US health care system
Services:
-
Comprehensive, integrated, coordinated services through orientation and counseling
-
Individualized educational case management
-
Support in obtaining professional credentials and licenses
-
Assistance in exploring educational programs (including English as a second language training, board examination preparation, leadership development)
-
Job and volunteer opportunities (including on-the-job exposure to the US health care system and job readiness training)
-
Alternative career options
Cost: Free |
As of 2012:
-
Serving 15,000 individuals from 167 countries and multiple health professions: nursing, medicine, dental, pharmacy, social work, physical therapy, midwifery, behavioral health, and laboratory services
-
23% of participants obtained first-time employment
-
21% passed licensing examinations
-
87 physicians accepted directly into residency programs
|
Upwardly Global
-
Established in 2000
-
CA, IL, MD, NY
|
Focus:
-
Work-authorized immigrants, refugees, asylees, and Special Immigrant Visa holders
-
Bachelor's degree or higher from outside the United States
-
Currently live in: CA, GA, IL, IN, MD, MN, NJ, NY, OH, TN, TX, VA, WA, or DC
-
Have professional work experience outside the United States
-
Have lived in the United States for 5 years or less
-
Can speak, read, and write English
-
Have strong computer skills and access to a computer
-
Highly motivated, positive, and ready to return to work
Services (for physician clients):
-
Onboarding (orientation, English assessment, and resume basics)
-
Core training (tips and strategies to prepare for residency interviews)
-
Help with placement in clinical observerships and externships
-
Provide advice on identifying and applying to alternative medical jobs
-
One-on-one coaching
-
Networking (national network of peers and mentors)
-
Financial support (via scholarships and loan funds to finance clinical externships)
-
Online resources and tools, including state-specific medical licensing guides
Cost: Free |
As of 2017: Overall, not specific to the medical field:
-
Job seekers representing 169 countries
-
1 in 4 is a refugee or asylee
-
Fully work-authorized with an average of 7 years of experience in their fields
-
Physicians
-
50+ foreign-trained physicians resumed careers as medical doctors or matched into residency programs
-
Hundreds matched to alternative career paths in health care and medical research
|