Nuka Learning Program

As Southcentral Foundation’s Nuka System of Care continues to be nationally and internationally recognized, SCF has received requests from all over the world for opportunities to learn from both clinical and non-clinical areas of SCF. In response, SCF has developed a robust learning program.

If you’re seeking opportunities such as family medicine residency rotations, externships, internships, and clinical and non-clinical rotations, SCF’s Nuka Learning Program provides immersive, culturally appropriate, and relationship-based experiences in SCF’s Alaska Native owned and operated health care system.

Opportunities are provided in three learning pathways: Discover, Learn, and Transform.

To maintain a balance and continue with Southcentral Foundation’s commitment to quality customer-owner and relationship-based care, SCF constantly evaluates the number of experiential training opportunities we can support. Currently, opportunities in the clinical concentration are available. Concentrations in customer and community engagement, leadership and governance, workforce development, and infrastructure will be available in the future.

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Clinical opportunities are available for learners (students, residents, and externs) to work and learn in medical services (primary care, pediatrics, integrated care teams), behavioral health (including psychiatric residencies), tribal and community-based services, and dental.

An 11-month Nuka Improvement Internship and Nuka Improvement Fellowship within Southcentral Foundation’s Nuka System of Care utilizing a relationship-based, customer-owned approach to transforming health care.

To support individuals interested in pursuing professions within the health care industry, SCF provides limited opportunities for students to follow medical providers, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, dentists, dental hygienist, nurses, certified medical assistants and more.

Southcentral Foundation is committed to employing fully qualified employees in all positions and increasing the number of Alaska Native and American Indian individuals in all clinical job categories. To support this goal, Southcentral Foundation is in the process of developing a scholarship program to support students attending school for CMA, Nursing, Behavioral Health or DHAT positions.

Discover

Professionals seeking opportunities to learn more about SCF’s Nuka System of Care can select from a variety of trainings and events, many of which offer registration for reduced student rates. Customized site visits and observation opportunities up to a week are also available.

Learn

Dynamic, interactive learning and on-the-job experiences are provided through an affiliation with a school or academic program. Students seeking clinical or non-clinical rotations, externships, Capstone projects, and practicums are encouraged to fill out a request. Applications open in February.

Transform

The Transform learning pathway provides deep-dive clinical and non-clinical rotations to meet the objectives of clinical programs while providing support to SCF Preceptors. Graduate students, post-graduate students, residents, interns, fellows, and professionals (including those on sabbatical) are provided this unique opportunity to enhance their professional experience.

Out of care for the safety and well-being of customer-owners, visitors, and employees, effective immediately Southcentral Foundation requires all students, residents, externs and Learning Institute visitors to have completed COVID-19 vaccination prior to arriving on campus.

We appreciate your understanding and willingness to help keep the community safe!

Testimonials

This hospital is amazing and the experiences I have gained here, I know I could not have obtained anywhere else! Thank you all so much!
– CMA Extern

SCF is an amazing place because of all the integrated disciples within the clinic. It was great to see them collaborate to provide the best care to the patients.
– PA Student

Every employee I worked and interacted with during my fieldwork was friendly and supportive, from the therapy techs to the therapists and doctors.
– DPSY Student

Communication was great and the overall experience in the clinic was wonderful. Everyone worked well together to provide me a variety of experiences and learning opportunities.
– NP Student

Academic Affiliations

Additional Resources

Tribal Research Review

Information on the Tribal review process associated with conducting research studies at SCF