Mission: Improve primary care service delivery and workforce availability.
Purpose
To engage in a comprehensive and collaborative process to assess and strategize solutions to increase qualified healthcare workforce availability and access to healthcare in North Dakota (ND).
The North Dakota Primary Care Office (NDPCO) Advisory Council (Council) will provide leadership, technical expertise, advise, and support to the NDPCO on program responsibilities relating to:
- Strategic planning
- Development of priorities, polices, processes and budgets
- Recruitment and retention strategies, including the implementation of identified strategies
- Data collection and reporting for the healthcare professional tracking database, including data monitoring
- Surveillance of the undeserved and health care professional shortage areas and determination of healthcare workforce priority areas to address
- The ND Health Service Corps and related incentive programs, including prioritizing sites and healthcare professionals eligible for these programs
- Collaborative relationship building and opportunities for policy recommendations
Outcomes
- A statewide, strategic healthcare workforce development plan that meets healthcare needs and identifies the current and future healthcare workforce demand and supply in ND, including the scope and severity of shortages in key areas such as primary care, dental, and mental health.
- Effective policies that improve healthcare workforce in ND.
- Evaluation of the effectiveness of incentive programs, such as the programs under the ND Health Service Corps, the National Health Services Corps (NHSC), and the J-1 Visa Waiver Program.
Council Membership
Representatives of the Council will consist of multi-sector stakeholders that have a statewide reach across various health systems, state/local agencies, academic institutions, health professional associations, and advocacy organizations.
Voting Membership
- State Health Officer
- Physician, Member at Large
- Dentist, Member at Large
- Nurse, Member at Large
- Behavioral Health Provider, Member at Large
- ND Primary Care Association (CHAD)
- ND Dental Association
- ND Hospital Association
- ND Medical Association
- ND Nurses Association
- ND Association of Physician Assistants
- ND Pharmacist Association
- ND Department of Health and Human Services Behavioral Health
- ND Department of Commerce, Workforce Division
- ND Indian Affairs Commission
- University of North Dakota (UND) Center for Rural Health
- UND School of Medicine and Health Services
- ND Area Health Education Center
Council Meetings:
- The Council will meet at least quarterly and hold an annual meeting, at which time the Council will elect officers and confirms the dates for the next three quarterly meetings.
- Meetings will be virtual via video technology at a date and time determined by the Council.
- Decisions will be made through a majority vote.
Appointments & Terms:
- • One individual from each voting membership organization will be selected based on subject matter expertise by the PCO Director and in consultation with the organization.
- Members will serve for 3-year terms.
- A member of the Council will serve until a successor from their organization has been selected.
- Council facilitation and meeting minutes will be the responsibility of the NDPCO.
Member Expectations:
- Attend all Council meetings or provide notice to the NDPCO if not able to attend.
- Review agenda and supporting materials prior to meetings.
- Serve on subcommittees or special assignments as requested.
- Fully participate in meetings.