Rural Health Advocate High Sierra AHEC Las Vegas, NV Job Details Full-time $60,000 - $65,000 a year 16 hours ago Benefits Health insurance Dental insurance Vision insurance Qualifications Program management Master's degree Driver's License Education Case management Working with students Business alliance strategy Networking through strategic partnership building Strategic partnerships Experience working with individuals from underserved communities

Full Job Description Job Title:

Rural Health Advocate (RHA)

Program:

Nevada AHEC Rural Health Workforce Initiative Reports To:

Center Director Location:

Nevada (Regionally embedded; rural and frontier travel required) Position Summary The Rural Health Advocate (RHA) is a regionally embedded, strategic role designed to strengthen healthcare workforce development and improve care access across Nevada's rural and frontier communities. Positioned within Nevada's AHEC network, RHAs serve as critical connectors between healthcare employers, educational institutions, and community members. This role goes beyond traditional program coordination by leading workforce pipeline development, partnership and coalition building, and community-based care navigation efforts. RHAs align local workforce needs with AHEC programming, support employer-driven training pathways, and facilitate student transitions into healthcare careers through mentorship, job shadowing, and work-based learning opportunities. Additionally, RHAs support care navigation and access initiatives, including connecting community members to services, supporting referral pathways. This position requires a strategic thinker with strong relationship-building skills, the ability to operate across systems, and a commitment to advancing a sustainable "grow your own" healthcare workforce model in rural and frontier Nevada. Essential Duties and ResponsibilitiesWorkforce Development & "Grow Your Own" Pipeline

• Develop and sustain healthcare career pathways for rural students, connecting them to job shadowing, mentorship, internships, certifications, and employment opportunities.
• Coordinate and oversee student handoffs from AHEC programs into real-world workforce experiences.
• Support recruitment and retention strategies that prioritize local workforce development within rural communities.
• Expand student engagement in healthcare pathways in alignment with regional workforce needs. Strategic Partnership Development & Employer Alignment
• Build and maintain partnerships with healthcare providers, EMS agencies, behavioral health organizations, educational institutions, Tribal organizations, and community-based organizations.
• Conduct regional workforce needs assessments and identify gaps in critical roles (e.g., primary care, behavioral health, EMS, allied health).
• Align AHEC programming and training opportunities with documented employer workforce needs.
• Support development of work-based learning placements and employer-driven training models.
• Facilitate ongoing partner engagement and contribute to cost-sharing and sustainability efforts. Community Engagement & Care Navigation
• Provide community-based care navigation support, connecting individuals to healthcare, behavioral health, and social services.
• Strengthen referral pathways between healthcare providers, community organizations, and support services.
• Assist with telehealth access and engagement, particularly in underserved or geographically isolated communities.
• Conduct outreach, education, and presentations to promote health careers and improve community awareness of available services. Program Implementation & Oversight
• Support implementation and expansion of AHEC workforce programs (e.g., Project Prevent, Project ROARR, Level Up, and related initiatives) in rural regions.
• Ensure alignment between statewide AHEC strategies and local community needs.
• Provide oversight, mentorship, or guidance to program staff, interns, or student ambassadors as assigned.
• Assist in program development, continuous improvement, and long-term sustainability planning. Coalition Building & Regional Representation
• Convene and participate in regional coalitions and cross-sector partnerships focused on workforce development, health equity, and rural health access.
• Serve as a liaison between AHEC centers, state agencies, Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE), and community stakeholders.
• Represent AHEC at community meetings, employer convenings, and statewide initiatives. Data, Reporting & Evaluation
• Track and report on student engagement, workforce placements, partner activities, and care navigation outcomes.
• Support data collection and analysis for grant reporting, evaluation, and impact measurement.
• Contribute to development of annual workforce impact reports and continuous quality improvement efforts. Supervisory Responsibilities
• May supervise or provide functional oversight to program coordinators, interns, or student ambassadors.
• Support staff development, training, and performance alignment with program goals.
• Oversee students in placement opportunities Minimum Qualifications
• Bachelor's degree in public health, health education, education, social work, health administration, or related field (Master's preferred).
• Minimum of 2 years of experience in workforce development, community engagement, public health, education, or related field.
• Demonstrated experience in partnership development, stakeholder engagement, and coalition building.
• Experience working in or with rural, frontier, and/or underserved communities.
• A combination of education and relevant experience may be substituted for degree requirements. Preferred Qualifications
• Community Health Worker (CHW) certification or ability to obtain within 6 months of hire.
• Experience working with healthcare systems, workforce development initiatives, or educational pipelines.
• Experience supporting care navigation, case management, or community health initiatives.
• Supervisory or team leadership experience.
• Knowledge of health equity, social determinants of health (SDOH), and culturally responsive practices. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
• Strong strategic thinking and systems-level problem-solving skills.
• Exceptional relationship-building and coalition development abilities.
• Ability to operate at both high-level strategy and on-the-ground implementation.
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Strong organizational, data tracking, and time management skills.
• Ability to engage effectively with individuals from diverse social, cultural, and economic backgrounds.
• Knowledge of Nevada's rural communities and healthcare workforce challenges.
• Self-motivated, adaptable, and able to work independently in a dynamic environment. Work Environment & Travel Requirements
• Hybrid work environment including office, healthcare sites, schools, and community settings.
• Frequent travel required across rural and frontier regions of Nevada.
• Evening and weekend hours may be required based on community and program needs. License Requirements
• Valid driver's license, proof of insurance, and reliable transportation required.

Position Impact The Rural Health Advocate plays a vital role in strengthening Nevada's rural healthcare system by building sustainable workforce pipelines, improving access to care, and fostering long-term community partnerships. Through this work, RHAs help ensure that rural communities are equipped with a locally trained, culturally responsive healthcare workforce, improving health outcomes and system resilience across the state.

Pay:

$60,000.00 - $65,000.00 per year

Benefits:

Dental insurance Health insurance Vision insurance

Work Location:

In person