Workforce Development Program Coordinator

Job Description

Workforce Development Program Coordinator

ABOUT US: 

The Community Health Center Association of Connecticut (“CHCACT”) is a membership association comprised of community health centers, all of whom provide comprehensive health care to the people of Connecticut and beyond. The Association, with headquarters in Cheshire, Connecticut is a recognized national leader in the provision of technical assistance and training in practice transformation and quality improvement. Our team of professionals is dedicated to strengthening and supporting the clinical and operational performance of community health centers. Our mission is to advance and align the work of health centers, with stakeholders, to improve the health and wellness of all.

POSITION SUMMARY & FUNCTIONS: 

The Workforce Development Program Coordinator supports CHCACT’s workforce development activities that advance the recruitment, education, training, retention, and preparedness of health professionals within federally qualified health centers (FQHCs).  This role is responsible for increasing the percentage of Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) at full readiness to engage in health professions training programs in partnership with local colleges, universities, and employment training programs. A primary focus of this role is the promotion of action plans to launch the Health Professions Education and Training (HP-ET) initiative.  This will include providing training and technical assistance (T/TA) activities to advance health professions education and training in community based FQHCs and supporting innovative ways to maximize the health workforce to meet the needs of the populations served. These activities are part of the US Department of Health and Human Services, (US DHHS) Health Resources and Services Administration’s (HRSA’s) HP-ET Initiative. The HP-ET Initiative will leverage T/TA to enhance health centers’ capabilities to recruit, develop, and retain their workforce by exposing health and allied health professions students, trainees, and residents to education and training programs at health centers.  The Workforce Development Program Coordinator will share best practice support with FQHCs and additional CHCACT members through a variety of projects, activities, and tasks. Programmatic areas include but are not exclusive to the following:  Health Professions Education and Training (HPET) Initiative, Comprehensive workforce plans, Convergence of role-specific curricula for onboarding and continuing education, Systematic surveying of project readiness, job vacancies, FQHC services, and training needs, followed by analysis and actions to address emerging feedback, Emergency preparedness to support health center needs and business continuity. The position will report to the Senior Program Manager.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Provide targeted training and technical assistance (T/TA) to health centers based on the results of the Readiness to Teach Assessment Tool (RTAT). This may include:
  • Development of workforce action plans to advance the Health Professions Education and Training (HP-ET) Initiative.
  • Assisting health centers in identifying potential barriers that may prevent them from advancing the HP-ET by the end of the project period.
  • Providing an analysis of key factors to identify overarching patterns and structural and/or system-level barriers preventing health centers from progressing through levels of readiness. Identifying and providing T/TA to address identified barriers.
• Develop and deploy a survey to assess health centers’ staff/board vacancies, clinical/social services, training needs, and other relevant factors.
• Coordinate the collection, analysis, and summary of project deliverables and results, ensuring the accuracy and timeliness of required reports submitted by participating FQHCs.
• Increase health center workforce implementation capacity through targeted training and technical assistance and by helping them to develop new and strengthened partnerships.
• Provide T/TA through small and large group discussions (e.g., training sessions, learning collaboratives, webinars, roundtables, etc.) on workforce concerns, developing and strengthening academic-community partnerships to support HP-ET across all disciplines and education levels.
• Facilitate relationships with key stakeholders (e.g., federal, state, local and national organizations) in order to implement, advance, and sustain workforce initiatives including the HP-ET Initiative.
• Establish strategic partnerships with institutions of higher learning to recruit and retain students from underserved communities who have a strong desire to pursue a career working in a health center. Emphasis is placed on partnerships with graduate-level health programs (e.g., colleges of medicine, dentistry, nursing, and social work).
• Promote and disseminate evidence-based models or promising practices that support workforce goals, with an emphasis on HP-ET initiative goals as well as health center preceptor recognition and incentive programs.
• Demonstrate the sustainability and return on investment associated with health professions training programs.
• Leverage learning management systems (LMS) and other relevant content to deploy role specific curricula packages to support health center staff.
• Proactively facilitate health centers’ access to policy/procedure templates, resources, and T/TA related to emergency preparedness and business continuity during disasters or public health emergencies.
• Participate in staff development as required to perform job requirements.
• Evaluate T/TA regularly, assessing quantitative and qualitative insights associated with objective achievement, learning gains, and post-T/TA behavior change.
• Work collaboratively with both internal staff and external organizations.
• Travel to in-state member sites or out-of-state conferences/meetings as required.
• Exercise prudent judgment and confidentiality regarding association, member and client information.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Must have a professional demeanor and the ability to lead groups and present materials effectively.
• Must have excellent written and verbal communication and interpersonal relationship skills.
• Able to communicate complex information clearly and succinctly, both in writing and orally in multiple formats.
• Must be able to build strong relationships and work collaboratively with all levels of individuals within various agencies, FQHC leaders, advocates, community partners and other stakeholders.
• Ability to analyze problems and recommend effective solutions.
• Must be highly detail-oriented and have excellent organizational and time management skills. Ability to multi-task, manage and prioritize various and differing projects, as well as work effectively toward numerous deadlines.
• Show initiative in resolving issues/challenges proactively and identifying opportunities for improvement.
• Demonstrated skills and background in workforce development and planning.
• Strong presentation, training, and facilitation skills are essential.
• Experience delivering information via a broad range of instructional methods (e.g., in person guidance, webinars, online learning platforms, blended learning, video, and/or curriculum packaging).
• This position has no direct supervisory responsibilities. The Workforce Development Coordinator will often lead the work of a group. The group may include people above the position’s grade level. He/she proposes methods on delegated assignments and resolves a range of issues in creative ways.
• Demonstrated knowledge about health care services and quality improvement.
• Ability to work with minimal supervision and maximum accountability. High degree of independence, flexibility, initiative, and commitment is required.
• Must possess and maintain a valid Driver’s License and must successfully complete a motor vehicle history check. Travel (up to 20%) may be required to travel to visit member FQHC’s or attend meetings throughout the state of CT. Will be required to utilize their personal vehicle when traveling within the State of CT.

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE:  

Bachelor’s degree in appropriate field (public health, health administration, or other health related field).  Master’s degree preferred. Minimum of 2-3 years of demonstrated skills and background in workforce development and planning preferably in the fields of health, public health, or social service.  Federally Qualified Health Center experience also preferred.

Note:

CHCACT is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer including protected Veterans and individuals with disabilities.  CHCACT considers applicants for employment without regard to, and does not discriminate on the basis of an individual’s sex, race, color, religion, age, disability, status as a veteran, or national or ethnic origin; nor does CHCACT discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity or expression.