About the Academy
Mobilizing a Rural Health Workforce
In July 2024, the Arkansas Rural Health Partnership launched the Arkansas Rural Health Academy — the educational branch of ARHP. The Academy is member-owned and led, a distinction that translates into relevant, in-demand training programs meeting the immediate and future health workforce needs of local rural hospitals. Individuals who successfully complete Academy training gain access to local health workforce employment opportunities in their field — and stand out among other applicants.
The innovative, mobile training academy meets the certification, degree-path, and continuing education needs of the rural health workforce — future and existing. Offerings vary in length and intensity, with options built for accessibility: virtual and local in-person classes, apprenticeships, and clinical experiences. Some courses run a few hours (CPR); others span a day (Mental Health First Aid), several months (Community Health Worker certification), or up to two years (billing & coding specialist).
The Academy leverages ARHP’s existing infrastructure — the mobile health workforce unit, health careers website, scholarship funds, board of directors, and staff — and coordinates with diverse partners to train, recruit, and retain rural residents in rewarding local health careers.
Our Vision
Transforming rural healthcare, one student at a time.
Our Mission
Empower and train the next generation of the rural Arkansas health workforce through innovative, accessible, and affordable certificate and degree path programs, built for and by rural residents.
Core Values
Invest in rural residents. A strong, sustainable rural health workforce hinges on strategic investment in rural students with a deep understanding of and commitment to their communities.
Rural residents are uniquely qualified. No one knows rural areas better than the people who choose to live, work, and play there — uniquely equipped to empower their friends, neighbors, and co-workers through frontline health careers.
Meet critical workforce gaps. The Academy trains local, rural residents to fill immediate and pressing labor gaps with rural health organization partners across the state.
Affordable and accessible. The Academy bridges known gaps with financial assistance, blended learning (virtual and in-person), local apprenticeships, and local clinical rotations.
Collaboration, not competition. The Academy engages local technical schools, community colleges, and universities to avoid duplication — working with partners across sectors to leverage resources and secure placement in good jobs.
Built to adapt. Rural health workforce needs continually change — so do we. New certificate and degree path programs launch in rural regions with known education deserts as needs are identified.
Training Offerings
The state-approved training center provides nationally recognized training for laypersons and healthcare professionals of all skill levels and career lengths — and the list grows every day.
Laypersons & Health Professionals
- Community Health Worker Training Institute
- Mental Health First Aid Training
- Soft Skills for Healthcare Staff
Clinical Provider Certifications
- Advanced Airway Course
- Advanced Cardiac Life Support
- Advanced Coronary Syndrome
- Advanced Stroke Life Support
- Basic Life Support
- CPR & First Aid
- Pediatric Advanced Life Support
- Stop the Bleed
- Wilderness First Aid
EMS Provider Certifications
- Advanced Medical Life Support
- Active Violence Emergency Response Training
- Emergency Pediatric Care / Prehospital Emergency Pediatric Provider
- Geriatric Emergency Medical Services
- International Trauma Life Support (Basic & Advanced)
- Prehospital Trauma Life Support
Your Training Starts Here
Browse the full course catalog or apply today — the Academy meets you where you are.