Applications Open December 2024
Our Mission
CHAS Health’s Nurse Practitioner Residency Program mission is to advance the education of newly graduated Family Nurse Practitioners resulting in increased professional competency, confidence, and understanding of the unique population within the community health center setting. By providing an excellent educational experience, CHAS Health will advance its mission to expand access to quality health care services while retaining exceptional primary health care providers who reflect the diverse population that we serve.
Our Program
Established in 2017, the CHAS Health Nurse Practitioner Residency Program is a 13-month educational program that combines clinical practicum experiences, specialty rotations and didactic education to provide a well-rounded experience for newly graduated Nurse Practitioners. Our program offers an opportunity to work alongside experienced health care providers from a variety of disciplines including nursing, medicine, pharmacy, and behavioral health.
Program Structure
- Four applicants are selected yearly
- The program starts the Tuesday after Labor Day every September and runs for 13 months.
- Three days per week working with experienced Advance Practice Providers or Physicians in a clinical area within the Valley Clinic dedicated to the NP residency training program. Here you will have the opportunity to manage a variety of acute and chronic conditions commonly encountered in community health.
- The clinical curriculum is designed to build on the existing knowledge and skills of the new graduate and provides an intensive but progressive ramp-up of clinical experiences and professional responsibilities. Trainees can anticipate having dedicated preceptor support during continuity clinic, monthly meetings with an assigned mentor, and feedback designed to advance learning and build confidence.
- Specialty Rotations: Four internal rotations conducted at various CHAS Health clinic sites include Pediatrics, Behavioral Health, Women’s Health, and Urgent Care. Four external rotations occur in conjunction with our community partner, MultiCare. These include Cardiology, Orthopedics, Gastroenterology, and Pulmonology.
- Opportunity to select elective rotations that meet your personal learning goals and professional objectives.
- Regularly scheduled didactics: View Didactic Schedule.
- Small group learning sessions such as: how to perform a diabetic foot exam, microscopy, and improving medical decision making. Residents also complete training in Nexplanon insertion and receive an additional 8-hour instruction in family planning and contraceptive management known as “On Your Own Terms” training.
- Weekly case discussions.
- Option to participate in Project ECHO to meet personal and professional learning objectives.
- Each cohort completes a group Quality Improvement or Practice Improvement Project aimed at meeting organizational objectives as identified by our Health Outcomes Team (HOT). This project is led by a team of Quality Improvement Specialists and Coaches from within CHAS Health.
Resident Wellness
- Assigned a monthly mentor to help support your mental well-being while also providing feedback on your progress.
- Informal weekly “touch bases” with faculty preceptors.
- Monthly journaling designed to provide time for reflection and recording of personal and professional growth over the course of the program year.
- Participation in our monthly Balint group designed to explore and better understand the clinician-patient relationship. The group is composed of a facilitator, NP residents, and Behavioral Health Fellows and focuses on enhancing the clinician’s ability to connect with and care for the patient.
Our Facilities
You will be working in a state-of-the-art facility at the CHAS Health Valley Clinic.
Here, we have a clinical area and staff dedicated to the training of our Nurse Practitioner residents, which is unique among programs across the country. The program is accredited through the Consortium for Advanced Practice Providers
- Featuring: Dedicated training room, Care Team Pod for easy collaboration with providers, Medical Assistants, Behavioral Health Providers, Clinical Pharmacists, and preceptors with an onsite pharmacy.
Clinics & Locations
CHAS Health is an innovative non-profit organization and the Inland Northwest’s largest community health center in Spokane, Washington. We have 12primary care clinics, 9 dental clinics, two Urgent Care locations, two Student-Based Health Clinics, and two Behavioral Health Centers. CHAS Health has two mobile clinics that can bring healthcare to remote communities in the Pacific Northwest!
CHAS Health Primary Care HPSA Score - 19
This attribute represents the Health Professional Shortage Area (HPSA) Score developed by the National Health Service Corps (NHSC) in determining priorities for the assignment of clinicians. The scores range from 0 to 25 where the higher the score, the greater the priority.
As an NHSC S2S LRP participant, you must work at an NHSC-approved site with a Health Professional Shortage Area (HPSA) score of 14 or higher. CHAS Health has a Primary Care HSPA Score of 19 as of September 2021.
Last year, we served over 111,000 patients! Visit our medical, dental, behavioral health, and urgent care location pages to learn more!
Our Residents
CHAS Health is looking for candidates who possess:
- Interest in gaining experience working in a community health center setting.
- MSN or DNP graduate from a CCNE or ACEN accredited Family Nurse Practitioner program within 24 months prior to start of program year. Please note we Do Not accept applications from Adult-Gero or Pediatrics prepared graduates.
- Must be licensed in Washington and credentialed by program start date. The program starts the Tuesday after Labor Day every September.
- Self-directed and enthusiastic learners who desire feedback to advance their practice.
- Desire further learning and understanding in basic and advanced family practice care topics.
Our Faculty & Leadership
Todd Smith, ARNP
NPRP Clinical Program Director & Faculty Preceptor
- State University of New York at Cortland, BA Sociology
- University of Rochester, BSN Nursing
- University of Washington, MSN
Dr. Wilfred “Wilkie” Madarang, MD
NPRP Clinical Faculty Preceptor & Chief Clinical Officer
- Ateneo de Manila University, BS Psychology
- St. Lukes College of Medicine, Doctor of Medicine
- Penn State Hershey, Residency in Family Practice
Kathryn “Kate” Garrison, ARNP
NPRP Lead Provider & Faculty Preceptor
- Western Washington University, BA Psychology
- Pacific Lutheran University, RN, MSN
Brandie Tilch-Bryant, DNP, ARNP
Clinical Faculty Preceptor
- Gonzaga University, BSN
- Washington State University, DNP, FNP
Dr. Yvette Rosser, MD
Adjunct Preceptor - Pediatrics
- University of Washington, Medical School
- University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles CA, Pediatrics Residency
Theo Orchard, PA-C
Adjunct Preceptor
- Brigham Young University, BS Biology
- Duke University, Master of Health Science
Dr. Andrew Gardner
Clinical Faculty Preceptor
- Gonzaga University, BS Biology
- University of Michigan Medical School, Doctor of Medicine
- University of California San Francisco, Internal Medicine Residency
Kaylee Anthony
NPRP Program Coordinator
- Utah State University – Bachelor of Science, and Minor in Psychology
Our Application Process
Eligibility Criteria
- Accepting graduates from Family Nurse Practitioner Programs only.
- Graduated from FNP program in the last 24 months.
- Licensed in the state of Washington by the start of the residency program.
- A complete application must be sent in before the closing date.
Important Dates
- Applications open 12/02/2024
- Closing date 2/14/2025
- Offers for the 2025-2026 cohort will go out on 4/07/2025
- The program starts the Tuesday after Labor Day every September.
As an active member of the NWCAPE, our program follows a quasi-match system unique to the Pacific Northwest. This means that our application opening and closing dates as well as offer date aligns with other participating programs.
Application Requirements
- Curriculum Vitae (upload with the application of employment)
- Personal Statement (upload with the application of employment)
- Discuss your vision, short and long-term goals, and what you are looking to accomplish during residency.
- What interests you about completing a residency program at a Federally Qualified Health Center, such as CHAS Health?
- Three Letters of Recommendation (upload with the application of employment or email to nprp@chas.org)
- Letters of recommendation must come from each of the following individuals:
- Academic program director or faculty member
- Clinical Preceptor
- Current or previous supervisor
- Letters of recommendation must come from each of the following individuals:
Application Process
- Apply by clicking on the Apply Today button placed on this webpage when the application period is open.
- Please submit application requirements.
- Applicants will be notified by CHAS Health when their application is received and verified as complete. Applicants may revoke their application at any time in the process by contacting work@chas.org. After an initial review of application materials, selected applicants will be invited for interviews.
- After the initial interview, potential residents will be selected for a second interview and then a final interview will be conducted by CHAS Health leadership.
- After this interview process offers will be extended.
- Potential Residents will be required to pass a complete background check prior to hire.
- Applicants who are offered one of the Residency slots are expected to commit to the full appointment length (approximately 1 year).
Frequently Asked Questions
Testimonials
Program Graduate Testimonials
“The CHAS NP residency program was absolutely fundamental in my growth and development as a primary care provider. Through mentorship, clinical experience, specialty rotations, and didactics, I learned how to practice independently and at the top of my license. CHAS as an organization is very supportive of residents, and there are many opportunities to learn from and collaborate with pharmacists, behavioral health providers, and other clinicians within the organization that provide specialty care. You’ll work hard, but you’ll have a lot of fun, too!” - Lydia Marsalli, 2020
“The Nurse Practitioner Residency Program provided me the opportunity as a new graduate to continue to expand my skills and grow as a provider under the supervision and guidance of veteran clinicians. It allowed for a smooth transition from student to provider while building my self-confidence and providing the foundation for a successful career as a family nurse practitioner at CHAS.” – Lauren Williams, 2018
"I am incredibly grateful for the CHAS NP residency program, which helped me transition from student to autonomous clinician. Throughout the 13-month program, I strengthened my educational foundation through weekly didactics, refined my care plans through excellent preceptorship from seasoned primary care providers, expanded my network of interprofessional resources through specialty rotations, and expanded my confidence in procedural skills through hands-on experiences. The CHAS NP residency program is an unparalleled opportunity that will positively impact the rest of my career as a nurse practitioner. " - Alyssa Egland, 2021
"I chose the residency program at CHAS because I heard from fellow colleagues about the program’s reputation for rigor and quality. I also wanted to continue learning in a supportive environment for my first year as a Nurse Practitioner. The residency program pushed me far outside of my comfort zone as a new provider. Looking back, I am grateful for this experience. It challenged me just enough while giving me the confidence in my decisions and abilities. One of our mentors likened the program to “drinking from a fire hydrant”, but you truly are given a mountain of resources and colleagues who are invested in your success. The residency at CHAS truly made me a strong provider, helped me realize what I want out of a work culture, and what my priorities are in life outside of practice." - Austin Brekke, 2023
"This residency was instrumental in preparing me for independent practice. The preceptors and lecturers are well-versed in their areas of expertise and are invested in your success. This experience has made me a more resilient, diverse and knowledgeable clinician." - Nicholas Johnson, 2023
"I can't imagine having entered primary care as a new grad without the guidance and mentorship provided at the NPRP. CHAS sets up new NPs for success by providing a gradual ramp-up of patient visits, weekly didactics, chart reviews, and specialty rotations. In my schooling, I had minimal exposure to lab and imaging follow-up as well as patient communications (messaging or calls), and having guidance to learn how to interpret and manage this was invaluable. I also believe practicing at an FQHC provides insight into working with a variety of populations, as well as collaborating with other providers (behavioral health, pharmacists, specialists). The program challenged me in many ways and helped me to foster growth as a provider and develop confidence and competence. I feel so fortunate to have participated in CHAS' nurse practitioner residency program." - Rachel Rudder, 2021
Accredited
Our program is accredited through the Consortium for Advanced Practice Providers Learn more about the rigorous standards of the Consortium for Advanced Practice Providers.
Visitors to our site are encouraged to provide public comments as part of our accreditation process. Please visit the Accreditation Status and Public Comment Website.
