Workforce Development

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Opportunities for recruitment, training, and retention

 

Rural Workforce Innovation Network

The U.S. Department of Agriculture established the Rural Workforce Innovation Network to create a forum for public and private partners to help increase access to workforce opportunities in rural America. This network seeks to engage a wide range of government entities, colleges and universities, nonprofit organizations, private businesses, chambers of commerce, economic development organizations, as well as individuals who are actively working to enhance workforce development in their local communities.

Training & Certification Programs  

Certified Rural Health Clinic Professional (CRHCP)

Offered by the National Association of Rural Health Clinics (NARHC), this program is designed for directors, clinic administrators, and other RHC leaders. It covers federal and state regulations, billing and coding, financial management, and human resources. The course includes 15-20 hours of online coursework, culminating in a proctored exam.

Rural Health Nurse Certification Program

Developed by the National Rural Health Association (NRHA), this program equips rural nurses with the necessary skills and knowledge for high-quality care in rural settings. The curriculum covers health trends in rural America, leadership, communication, quality improvement, and more.

Rural Hospital CEO Certification Program

In response to the rural hospital CEO Turnover Study and hospital closure crisis, the Center for Rural Health Leadership Certification Program offers the Rural Hospital CEO Certification Program to empower rural CEOs with the competencies and skill sets to take on the unique challenges of rural hospitals and be or continue to be a top performing rural hospital CEO.

Rural Hospital CNO Certification Program

Developed by successful rural hospital CNOs for rural hospital CNOs, the Center for Rural Health Leadership Certification Program was developed with the intent of assisting current rural hospital CNOs to strengthen their leadership skills to help lead their hospital to success.

Rural Hospital CFO Certification Program

Developed by successful rural hospital CFOs for rural hospital CFOs, the Center for Rural Health Leadership Certification Program with the intent of assisting current rural hospital CFOs to strengthen their leadership skills to help lead their hospital to success.

Rural Hospital Physician Leader Certification Program

Physician leadership is paramount to the success and health of rural hospitals and communities. With the constantly changing health care landscape, there has never been a more crucial time for physician leaders and CMOs to have the tools, knowledge, and network of peers and experts they need to thrive in their roles. These are things you don’t learn in medical school.

Rural Hospital HR Certification Program

The increasing rates of employee burnout and turnover, coupled with the struggle to recruit and retain staff, are just some of the everyday obstacles faced by rural hospital HR leaders. Along with constantly changing policies and regulations and a lack of resources across the board, there has never been a more crucial time to support rural hospital HR leaders.

Rural Hospital Board Certification Program

Board leadership is paramount to the success and health of rural hospitals and communities. With the constantly changing health care landscape, there has never been a more crucial time for Board Trustees to have the tools, knowledge, and network of peers and experts they need to thrive in their roles. Providing leadership within a rural hospital however is different, one of the resounding reasons for the creation of this program. This program was created for rural hospital Board Trustees by rural hospital Board Trustees.

Certified Coding and Billing Specialist

The Association for Rural & Community Health Professional Coding (ArchProCoding) offers certification programs focused on coding and billing education for Rural Health Clinics, Federally Qualified Health Centers, and Critical Access Hospitals. These programs are available online, allowing for flexible learning.

Center for Rural Health Leadership

Executive Leadership to rural hospitals has been an ongoing struggle for many years. As the intricate knowledge base needed to be a top performer in a rural hospital continues to expand, The Center for Rural Health Leadership has developed a program designed to address three major obstacles:

  • Leaders from rural areas familiar with life in a rural setting have struggled to gain the necessary leadership training to be a top performing rural hospital executive.
  • The uniqueness and complexity of the necessary knowledge base in the successful operation of a rural hospital continues to grow at a rapid rate.
  • The difficulty in acclimating to working with a rural board.

 

Critical Access Hospital Education and Credentialing Program

The Medicare Rural Hospital Flexibility (Flex) Program at the Washington State Department of Health has provided funding for staff at WA critical access hospitals (CAH) to continue their professional development. We partner with the Washington State Hospital Association (WSHA) to manage this program. This partnership allows us to offer a variety of certification and education opportunities to foster a highly efficient delivery system.

Eligibility requirements:

  • Participants must be a staff member at a CAH in Washington state.
  • Obtain supervisor/manager support or approval before participating.
  • Understand eligibility requirements and qualifications for full certification in the program they are applying for.
  • Respond to quarterly program check-ins with program manager.
  • Commit to studying the material.
  • Seek support as appropriate from WSHA and the certifying vendor.
  • Complete the requirements and take the exam (as applicable).

Recruitment & Retention Programs 

3RNET  

The National Rural Recruitment and Retention Network is a nonprofit organization dedicated to connecting health care professionals with career opportunities in rural and underserved communities across the United States. Established in 1995, 3RNET collaborates with a network of members and coordinators in every state to facilitate these connections.

NHSC 

The National Health Service Corps (NHSC) is a program under the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, specifically within the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). Established in 1972, the NHSC's mission is to improve access to primary health care services in underserved communities across the United States. It achieves this by offering financial support to health care providers in exchange for their commitment to serve in Health Professional Shortage Areas.

J-1 Visa Waiver Program

The Washington State Department of Health administers the J-1 Visa Waiver Program, aiming to increase the number of physicians in rural and underserved areas. This program allows international medical graduates to waive the typical two-year home residency requirement after their training, provided they commit to a three-year full-time service in designated Health Professional Shortage Areas within Washington State.

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