Workforce Program Specialist

Description

We have a hybrid work arrangement.

EOE: race/color/religion/sex/sexual orientation/gender identity/national origin/disability/vet 

ABOUT US:

The Workforce and Rural Health Department of the Tennessee Hospital Association supports access to high-quality healthcare across Tennessee, with a focus on rural and underserved communities. Through grant-funded programs and partnerships, the department works to strengthen hospital operations, expand healthcare workforce pathways, and address recruitment and retention needs in high-need areas. This includes support for grants associated with the Tennessee Center for Health Workforce Development, rural hospital technical assistance, healthcare career pathway initiatives, apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship programs, employer engagement, and collaboration with education, workforce, state, and community partners to build a stronger healthcare workforce statewide.

JOB SUMMARY:

The Workforce Program Specialist is responsible for supporting and implementing statewide healthcare workforce programs and initiatives that serve Tennessee hospitals, healthcare employers, educational institutions, workforce agencies, government partners, and community organizations. The position supports operations for assigned workforce programs, including employer engagement, technical assistance, program implementation, stakeholder coordination, grant administration, performance monitoring, reimbursement review, and compliance with state and federal grant requirements. Working collaboratively with internal staff and external partners, the Workforce Program Specialist helps expand workforce pathways, strengthen healthcare workforce capacity, and advance THA’s mission to improve healthcare access throughout Tennessee.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS OF THE JOB:

1. The ability to adapt to a changing work environment and meet challenges presented throughout the day.

2. Recruit, onboard, and support healthcare employers participating in workforce development initiatives. Serve as the primary point of contact for assigned employer partners and provide technical assistance related to Registered Apprenticeship Programs, State Certified Pre-Apprenticeship Programs, workforce pathway development, implementation planning, documentation, reporting requirements, and reimbursement processes.

3. Assist in administering workforce development grants and ensure compliance with grant agreements, contractual obligations, and applicable federal and state requirements. Review employer reimbursement requests for accuracy and completeness; maintain supporting documentation for grant monitoring and audit readiness; and support budget monitoring and fiscal reporting in collaboration with department leadership and accounting staff.

4. Maintain employer, participant, and program databases; collect, validate, and report program performance data. Prepare reports, dashboards, presentations, and supporting documentation for THA leadership, funding agencies, and stakeholders; and assist with evaluation tools, outcome measures, and continuous quality improvement efforts.

5. Support engagement with healthcare employers, hospitals and health systems, educational institutions, workforce organizations, government agencies, community partners, and other stakeholders. Coordinate activities among partners to support successful program implementation and strengthen healthcare workforce pathways throughout Tennessee. 

6. Plan and facilitate meetings, trainings, webinars, stakeholder events, and other program activities. Represent THA at conferences, workforce development events, committees, and stakeholder meetings.  Foster collaborative partnerships and serve as a knowledgeable resource on healthcare workforce initiatives. 

7. Support the planning and implementation of statewide workforce development initiatives, including apprenticeship, healthcare career pathways, workforce recruitment and retention, grant development activities, funding opportunities, and special projects as assigned. Develop and maintain workforce resources, educational materials, communication tools, and program materials. Remain informed regarding healthcare workforce trends, apprenticeship best practices, and state and federal workforce policies.

8. Participate in departmental planning, cross- functional projects, and Workforce and Rural Health Department initiatives; Identify and recommend opportunities to improve program effectiveness, operational processes, and participant outcomes.

9. Provide support for the organization’s internal database management of membership and stakeholder contacts by periodically updating contact information for department’s contacts. 

10. Must be available in the office during regular office hours unless job responsibilities are required otherwise, or hybrid work arrangement is in place.

11. Must be available for out-of-town travel approximately 20 percent of the time (50 days), including overnight, being able to drive an automobile and maintain a valid driver’s license.

MARGINAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

1. Assist with preparing or updating program materials, templates, forms, and informational resources.

2. Support departmental communications, outreach, or distribution of program information when requested.

3. Compile background information, reference materials, or basic research to support departmental projects and initiatives.

4. Perform other duties as assigned.

ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE: (Positions reporting directly to this position)  None

GUIDANCE & DIRECTION: This position operates under the direction of the Director of Workforce Strategies and is guided by THA and TCWD policies and procedures, federal and state grant agreements, Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development requirements, Tennessee Department of Health grant requirements as applicable, organizational strategic plans and workforce development priorities, and applicable federal, state, and organizational policies governing workforce initiatives.

1. Recruitment and Retention Policies and Procedures

2. Grant contract with the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development

3. Whitecoat Technologies Manual

4. Grant contract with the State of Tennessee Bureau of TennCare

5. Grant contract with the Tennessee Department of Health

6. Contractual obligations to the four Tennessee GME medical        schools

7. Bylaws of TCWD

8. TCWD Marketing and Communications Plan

9. Protech Procedures

Requirements

EDUCATIONAL AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS NEEDED TO PERFORM THE DUTIES OF THE JOB:

1. A clinical degree, healthcare-related associate degree, or bachelor’s degree in Healthcare Administration, Business Administration, Public Health, Education, Human Resources, or a related field required.

2. Minimum of three (3) years of relevant professional work experience required, experience in healthcare, workforce development, education/training, grants administration, clinical education, healthcare licensure, direct patient care, or a related field preferred. 

3. State and/or Federal grant management and reporting strongly preferred.

4. Project Management Professional (PMP) certification preferred.

5. An equivalent combination of education, training, certifications, and relevant experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities may be considered.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

1. Strong project management, organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills, including the ability to coordinate multiple stakeholders, initiatives, and deadlines.

2. Excellent written, verbal, interpersonal, stakeholder engagement, training, presentation, and meeting facilitation skills.

3. Ability to maintain productive professional relationships with hospitals, health systems, employers, educational institutions, workforce organizations, government agencies, and community partners.

4. Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment while working independently and collaborating effectively within a team.

5. Ability to interpret grant requirements, maintain regulatory compliance, review reimbursement requests, and support audit readiness.

6. Experience collecting, validating, analyzing, and reporting program data; developing reports, dashboards, presentations, and evaluation tools.

7. Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, including Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Teams, and ability to quickly learn database and application management systems.

8. Knowledge of workforce development principles, healthcare workforce challenges, staffing trends, career pathway development, and emerging workforce trends.