Position Summary
This is a In-Person Position - Office is located at Rockcastle Regional Hospital
Southern KY AHEC employees are employees of Rockcastle Regional Hospital
The Rural Health Transformation Project (RHTP) Coordinator supports regional and statewide efforts to strengthen rural health infrastructure, expand access to quality healthcare, and improve health outcomes across the Commonwealth of Kentucky. This position works collaboratively with the Healthcare Workforce Development Specialist, Southern AHEC staff, academic institutions, healthcare providers, and community partners to expand healthcare workforce pipeline programs, continuing education opportunities, and career awareness initiatives.
The RHTP Coordinator plays a key role in implementing initiatives focused on maternal and infant health, emergency medical services (EMS), behavioral health, Community Health Worker (CHW) training programs, public health/prevention, and cross-cutting workforce development supports. This position collaborates with the University of Kentucky (UK), University of Louisville, and the eight regional Area Health Education Centers (AHECs) to strengthen the diversity, distribution, and effectiveness of Kentucky’s healthcare workforce, particularly in rural and underserved areas.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
- Coordinate and support implementation of Rural Health Transformation Project initiatives across the Southern region.
- Work in partnership with the Healthcare Workforce Development Specialist to expand healthcare workforce pipeline and career awareness programs.
- Build and maintain relationships with hospitals, clinics, academic institutions, workforce agencies, and community organizations.
- Support development and expansion of early pipeline education initiatives for students and community members.
- Promote healthcare career pathways in priority areas including:
- Maternal and infant health
- Emergency Medical Services (EMS)
- Behavioral health
- Community Health Worker (CHW) programs
- Public health and prevention
- Assist in expanding continuing education and workforce training opportunities in priority healthcare fields.
- Coordinate outreach events, trainings, meetings, and community engagement activities.
- Support recruitment and retention strategies to strengthen the rural healthcare workforce.
- Collect, manage, and report program data and outcomes in compliance with grant requirements.
- Collaborate with statewide partners, including UK, University of Louisville, and the eight AHECs, to align workforce development strategies.
- Represent the Rural Health Transformation Project at meetings, conferences, and community events.
Minimum Qualifications
Education
- Bachelor’s degree in Public Health, Healthcare Administration, Education, Human Services, Social Work, Workforce Development, Business Administration, or a related field required.
- Master’s degree preferred.
- Experience
- Minimum of two (2) years of experience in healthcare program coordination, workforce development, public health, education, community outreach, or related field.
- Experience working with healthcare systems, rural communities, or grant-funded programs preferred.
- Advanced education may substitute for required experience as follows:
- Master’s degree may substitute for one (1) year of experience.
- Doctoral degree may substitute for two (2) years of experience.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
- Knowledge of rural health issues, healthcare workforce development, and community engagement strategies.
- Strong communication, organizational, and relationship-building skills.
- Ability to manage multiple projects and work effectively with diverse partners.
- Experience with data collection, reporting, and program evaluation.
- Ability to facilitate meetings, trainings, and outreach activities.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office and related technology systems.
- Ability to travel throughout the region and state, with occasional evening or weekend work as needed.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience with AHEC programs, rural health initiatives, or healthcare workforce development projects.
- Familiarity with EMS, behavioral health, maternal and infant health, CHW programs, or public health initiatives.
- Experience with grant-funded programs preferred.
