Workforce Program Specialist

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.

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.

• The ability to adapt to a changing work environment and meet challenges presented throughout the day.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• Support the planning and implementation of statewide workforce development initiatives, including apprenticeship, healthcare career…