This survey is designed to collect
information from HRSA-funded health centers regarding their current
workforce. This baseline data is essential in demonstrating the
effectiveness of recruitment efforts over the next year for
returning veterans, many of whom have trained as health care
providers and/or administrators during their time in the service.
The survey will help assess how health centers have filled recent
vacancies, whether the availability of veterans to join the health
center workforce is impacting their hiring efforts, and what
additional efforts might improve health center recruitment at a
critical time of expansion in the nation's health care safety
net.
The Health Resources and
Services Administration (HRSA) requests an expedited review of the
attached Work Force Recruitment in BPHC-Funded Health Centers
survey. The data, especially on the number of veterans hired in
health centers, was requested by the White House and the Department
of Health and Human Services (HHS) two weeks ago with a delivery
date of August 31. HRSA explored several options to respond to this
request and determined that the data does not exist, and the only
way to obtain accurate data within the given timeframe was through
a new survey. Furthermore, the survey is time-sensitive and urgent
due to the on-going implementation of the Affordable Care Act
provisions (many starting August 1st) that will further increase
the primary care workforce shortage. HRSA's mission and key
legislative authority tasks its programs "to improve health and
achieve health equity through access to quality services, a skilled
health workforce and innovative programs." This survey will assist
in leveraging existing and planned workforce programs and
initiatives within HRSA and with our partners at the Department of
Veterans Affairs, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services
Administration (SAMHSA), and other federal agencies. The additional
information gained by the survey will enhance efficiency and
effectiveness of these collaborative workforce initiatives and
potentially reduce the overall implementation costs. This survey is
designed to collect information from HRSA-funded health centers
regarding their current workforce. This baseline data is essential
in demonstrating the effectiveness of recruitment efforts over the
next year for returning veterans, many of whom have trained as
health care providers and/or administrators during their time in
the service. The survey will help assess how health centers have
filled recent vacancies, whether the availability of veterans to
join the health center workforce is impacting their hiring efforts,
and what additional efforts might improve health center recruitment
at a critical time of expansion in the nation's health care safety
net. Health center participation in the survey is 100% voluntary.
This information is not required to be collected by statute, and a
health center's decision whether to respond to the survey will have
no impact on their current or future funding from BPHC. HRSA aims
to release the survey to health centers via the electronic
collection tool SurveyMonkey on or around August 7. The survey will
remain open for 2 weeks. Information provided by health centers
through the survey will be compiled in a summary report, to include
counts of the numbers of staff hired by position type and veteran
status. Due to the urgent nature of this request, there is not time
for a full public comment period. However, HRSA plans to submit a
package for OMB review for future workforce-related data collection
efforts, which will include an opportunity for public comment.
On behalf of this Federal agency, I certify that
the collection of information encompassed by this request complies
with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR
1320.8(b)(3).
The following is a summary of the topics, regarding
the proposed collection of information, that the certification
covers:
(i) Why the information is being collected;
(ii) Use of information;
(iii) Burden estimate;
(iv) Nature of response (voluntary, required for a
benefit, or mandatory);
(v) Nature and extent of confidentiality; and
(vi) Need to display currently valid OMB control
number;
If you are unable to certify compliance with any of
these provisions, identify the item by leaving the box unchecked
and explain the reason in the Supporting Statement.