The Center for Health and Human Services
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.
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 – COMING SOON!
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
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 COMING SOON!
MTSU Rural Healthcare Workforce Initiative recruitment flier describing free training in peer recovery support, community health work, and medical assisting.
About the Initiative
Rural communities across Tennessee continue to experience shortages in healthcare and community-based service professionals. Employers may struggle to recruit qualified workers, while individuals interested in these careers may encounter financial, educational, or logistical barriers to entering the workforce.
The Rural Healthcare Workforce Initiative addresses these challenges by connecting eligible participants with occupational training, career preparation, and rural employment opportunities.
Through the initiative, MTSU and its partners will:
- Prepare individuals for entry-level occupations needed in rural communities
- Reduce financial barriers to training and certification
- Connect trained participants with employers and community organizations
- Strengthen pathways into healthcare, behavioral health, recovery, and community health careers
- Support the long-term development of Tennessee’s rural workforce
Opportunities for Current MTSU Students
For eligible MTSU students residing in non-metro counties, the project provides an opportunity to develop career-ready skills and pursue occupational training while completing a college degree.
Participation may help students gain practical experience, earn an industry-recognized credential, and prepare for employment in a rural healthcare or community setting.
Opportunities for Adult Learners
The initiative also provides a pathway for adult learners who are seeking to begin a new career, return to the workforce, or develop skills for employment in a rural community.
Eligible adult learners may participate in occupational training without enrolling in a traditional four-year degree program. Specific educational, geographic, or occupational requirements may vary by training pathway.
Developing a Rural Health Workforce Certificate
In addition to providing immediate training and workforce opportunities, MTSU will begin developing a multidisciplinary Rural Health Workforce Certificate.
The proposed certificate will be designed to integrate rural health and workforce preparation into a traditional bachelor’s degree pathway. It will allow students to build job-ready skills and work toward a stackable credential while completing their degrees.
The certificate is currently in development and is not yet available for enrollment.
Community and Workforce Partnerships
The Rural Healthcare Workforce Initiative brings together MTSU faculty and staff, workforce development organizations, healthcare providers, public agencies, and rural health partners.
Project partners include organizations such as:
- Rutherford County American Job Center
- Northern Middle Tennessee Local Workforce Development Board
- Rural Health Association of Tennessee
- Primary Care and Hope Clinic
- Workforce Essentials
- Rutherford County Health Department
- Additional healthcare, workforce, and community partners
These partnerships will help align training with employer needs and connect eligible participants with career pathways in rural communities.
Building a Stronger Rural Workforce
By preparing participants for specific, high-need occupations, the Rural Healthcare Workforce Initiative addresses both immediate employment needs and long-term workforce development.
The initiative seeks to create opportunities for individuals while helping rural organizations recruit trained workers who can provide essential healthcare, behavioral health, recovery, and community support services.
Additional Rural Healthcare Career Resources
The MTSU Rural Healthcare Workforce Initiative is part of a broader statewide effort to prepare Tennesseans for careers in rural healthcare.
The Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development’s Rural Works Healthcare initiative promotes free training, career preparation, and workforce opportunities throughout rural Tennessee. The statewide campaign emphasizes that individuals can develop meaningful healthcare careers while living and working in the communities they call home.
Live Here. Learn Here. Work Here.
VIEW OR DOWNLOAD THE STATEWIDE RURAL WORKS HEALTHCARE FLIER — PDF
EXPLORE ADDITIONAL TRAINING AND WORKFORCE OPPORTUNITIES AT TNWORKREADY.COM
