MT Rural Health Connect “Rural Works” Initiative

No-Cost Training. Career Preparation. Opportunities to Serve Rural Tennessee.

The MTSU Center for Health and Human Services is helping prepare individuals for entry-level healthcare and community health careers in rural Tennessee through the Rural Healthcare Workforce Initiative.

Funded through a $225,000 Rural Workforce Initiatives grant from the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development, the project provides eligible participants with occupational training at no cost, career preparation, and placement support for employment in rural communities.

Training opportunities are available in three high-need occupations:

• Certified Peer Recovery Support Specialist
• Community Health Worker
• Medical Assistant

The initiative is designed to address immediate workforce shortages while building a stronger and more sustainable pipeline of trained professionals prepared to serve rural Tennessee communities.

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Interested in Participating?

Explore a New Career Serving Rural Tennessee

The Rural Healthcare Workforce Initiative is seeking individuals interested in receiving free training and placement support for an entry-level healthcare or community health career.

The program serves:

• Current MTSU students who reside in an eligible non-metro Tennessee county
• Adult learners who reside in an eligible non-metro Tennessee county and are interested in preparing for an entry-level career serving a rural community

Previous healthcare experience may not be required. Eligibility and participation will be determined through the project’s screening process.

Individuals who live in a metro county are also encouraged to contact the project team or complete the interest form. Although they may not qualify for training funded through this initiative, the project team may be able to connect them with other training, education, or workforce resources, as available.

Available Training Pathways

Certified Peer Recovery Support Specialist

Certified Peer Recovery Support Specialists use their lived experience with mental health or substance use recovery to encourage and support others working toward recovery.

Training prepares eligible participants to provide peer-based support, connect individuals with services and resources, promote recovery, and work as part of a behavioral health or community service team.

Additional eligibility and certification requirements apply to this training pathway.

Community Health Worker

Community Health Workers help connect individuals and families with healthcare, social services, education, and other community resources.

Training prepares participants to conduct community outreach, provide health education, assist with resource navigation, identify barriers to care, and help individuals access needed services.

Medical Assistant

Medical Assistants support the administrative and clinical functions of medical practices, clinics, and other healthcare settings.

Training prepares participants to assist with responsibilities such as patient intake, scheduling, medical records, basic clinical procedures, and other duties performed under the direction of qualified healthcare professionals.

What the Program Provides

Eligible participants may receive:

• Occupational training at no cost
• Career and workforce-readiness preparation
• Assistance completing required credentials or certifications
• Support with approved workforce-entry costs
• Connections with participating employers and community partners
• Placement support for entry-level opportunities in rural communities

Approved project support may include certain costs associated with entering the workforce, such as certification examinations, background checks, required screenings, and other occupation-specific requirements.

Available assistance will depend on participant eligibility, the selected training pathway, employer requirements, and available project funding.

How to Get Started

Participation begins with a screening process. The screening will help the project team determine:

• Basic program eligibility
• County of residence
• Interest in one of the three occupational pathways
• Education and employment goals
• Availability to complete the required training
• Interest in working in a rural community
• Potential alignment with available training and placement opportunities

Take the First Step

COMPLETE THE RURAL HEALTHCARE WORKFORCE INITIATIVE SCREENING FORM

Completing the screening process does not guarantee acceptance, training enrollment, certification, financial assistance, employment, or placement. Opportunities depend on eligibility, available funding, successful completion of program requirements, employer qualifications, and the availability of training and placement opportunities.

Questions about participating?

Contact: MT Rural Health Connect Project Director
Email: chhs@mtsu.edu – please indicate in your subject line “MT Rural Health Connect”
Phone: 615-898-5493

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Share This Opportunity

Help us connect eligible MTSU students and adult learners with free training and rural healthcare career opportunities.

VIEW OR DOWNLOAD THE MTSU RURAL HEALTHCARE WORKFORCE INITIATIVE RECRUITMENT FLIER

MTSU Rural Healthcare Workforce Initiative recruitment flier describing free training in peer recovery support, community health work, and medical assisting.

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Want to Learn More?

Want to learn more about the initiative, statewide Rural Works resources, and project partnerships? Visit Additional Information.