Network Specialist

The RHTP THRIVE TechFund initiative is a statewide rural health transformation strategy designed to improve access, coordination, and outcomes through telehealth infrastructure, remote patient monitoring, connectivity improvements, interoperability, and digital health supports. The Network Specialist will play a critical role in deploying, maintaining, and optimizing network systems, broadband infrastructure, telehealth equipment, cybersecurity solutions, and connectivity platforms that support high-quality care delivery throughout rural Arkansas., * Serve as the primary CHCA network infrastructure support resource for the RHTP THRIVE TechFund initiative, ensuring network-related activities align with grant goals, implementation milestones, technical requirements, and partner expectations.

• Install, configure, and maintain network infrastructure, including routers, switches, firewalls, wireless networks, VPNs, and telecommunications systems.
• Administer servers, cloud platforms, Microsoft 365 or similar productivity environments, user accounts, and access permissions.
• Conduct network readiness assessments for member health centers and partner facilities, identifying gaps in connectivity, bandwidth, wireless coverage, interoperability, and cybersecurity.
• Support connectivity requirements for the health information exchange, interoperability software, and cloud-based or vendor-hosted healthcare applications.
• Support implementation and maintenance of telehealth platforms, video conferencing systems, and connectivity solutions for remote patient monitoring and home-based care programs serving rural and underserved communities.
• Monitor network performance, bandwidth utilization, and uptime, and troubleshoot outages, connectivity disruptions, and hardware failures in collaboration with health center staff, vendors, and service providers.
• Implement and maintain cybersecurity controls, including endpoint protection, patch management, multi-factor authentication, secure remote access, and intrusion detection prevention.
• Manage data backup, disaster recovery, and business continuity procedures, including regular testing of recovery plans.
• Ensure compliance with HIPAA, cybersecurity standards, CHCA technology governance policies, and applicable grant requirements, and support risk assessments and audits as needed.
• Coordinate with internet service providers, telecommunications vendors, and equipment manufacturers on procurement, licensing, service agreements, issue resolution, and lifecycle replacement planning.
• Provide technical assistance and training to health center staff on network best practices, telehealth connectivity, network cybersecurity awareness, and troubleshooting.
• Provide help desk and end-user support for CHCA staff, including hardware, software, and remote work technology.
• Maintain network diagrams, configuration records, asset inventories, maintenance logs, vendor records, and disaster recovery documentation.
• Evaluate emerging technologies and recommend infrastructure improvements that support long-term sustainability, operational efficiency, and organizational priorities.
• Participate in project meetings, implementation planning sessions, vendor meetings, technical assistance activities, and grant reporting discussions related to THRIVE implementation., * Travel is required to fulfill the responsibilities of the position, including travel for meetings, conferences, advocacy activities, member engagement, site visits, professional development, and organizational representation. Travel may occur at the local, state, and national levels.

• Bachelor’s degree in IT, Computer Science or a related field., * Two or more years’ experience in IT systems or network administration, ideally within a healthcare environment.
• Proven proficiency with networking hardware (routing, switching, and security protocols).
• Hands-on experience with servers and storage solutions.
• Strong knowledge of on-premises server room environments, including cooling systems, UPS systems, and physical security.

Preferred:

• Three or more years of network administration; and Network+, CCNA, Security+ or other relevant industry certifications., * Must be able to sit or stand for extended periods, use office technology, and occasionally lift 15-25 pounds., * Describe your proficiency in configuring, maintaining, and troubleshooting networking hardware, including routers, switches, and firewalls.
• Describe your working knowledge of networking fundamentals, security protocols, wireless networks, and secure remote access.
• Describe your hands-on experience with servers and storage solutions.
• Describe your working knowledge of on-premises server environments, including cooling systems, uninterruptible power supplies (UPS), and physical security.

POSITION SUMMARY: The Network Specialist will support Community Health Centers of Arkansas (CHCA) in implementing, maintaining, securing, and optimizing network infrastructure activities for the RHTP THRIVE TechFund initiative. This position will provide technical expertise to support telehealth connectivity, broadband infrastructure, network security, remote patient monitoring connectivity, telecommunications, health information exchange connectivity, and digital health technologies across Arkansas’s 13 community health centers and participating rural facilities. The position directly supports THRIVE’s goals of strengthening shared digital infrastructure, expanding virtual care access, improving emergency response connectivity, and ensuring reliable, secure, and interoperable health information exchange.