Northeast State gets $233K grant to boost rural healthcare workforce in East Tennessee

Northeast State Community College has received a $233,000 grant to boost the rural healthcare workforce in East Tennessee.

See the full press release below:

Northeast State Community College recently received a $233,376 grant to strengthen rural healthcare workforce development in upper East Tennessee.

The grant is part of the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development (TDLWD) investment to expand the state’s healthcare workforce by leveraging existing training structures and opportunities.

The funding will help ensure rural communities have access to skilled healthcare professionals, improving the quality and availability of care statewide. The grant runs from July 1, 2025, through June 20, 2026.

Northeast State will use the grant to offer short-term healthcare training programs, covering tuition and providing support to meet labor market demands.

The training will include courses for roles such as Certified Clinical Medical Assistant, Certified Phlebotomy Technician, Pharmacy Technician, Medical Coding and Billing Specialist, and Peer Recovery Specialist.

According to Lightcast Analyst Software, job openings for medical assistants, pharmacy technicians, phlebotomists, and social service assistants are projected to grow by 14 percent, 7 percent, 17 percent, and 23 percent, respectively.

Targeted populations include adult education students and graduates, incumbent workers, and new entrants into the workforce. The initiative will serve Carter, Greene, Hancock, Hawkins, Johnson, Sullivan, Unicoi, and Washington counties.

Additionally, the funding will help address costs such as transportation, childcare, and examination fees, which often prevent workforce entry and advancement.

The effort will involve the College's offices of Adult Education, Apprenticeship, Workforce Solutions, and other state and regional partners.

“This will provide a tremendous opportunity for our adult education and workforce solutions students to pursue a healthcare pathway with no fees,” said Northeast State Adult Education Director Anita Ricker. “And ultimately, we are focused on providing training or apprenticeship opportunities to help students find jobs with livable wages.”