Registered Professional Nurse III, Ka'u Hospital

Job Description

At Ka’u Hospital, a long-term care facility and Critical Access Hospital, the Registered Professional Nurse is an essential part of our team.

The Registered Professional Nurse III is responsible for independently developing and implementing nursing care plans for patients in both the emergency room and long-term care settings. The RPN III provides nursing care treatment and educational services; may assign and direct the work of lower-level registered nurses and nursing assistants; may serve as charge nurse of a patient care unit on an assigned shift; and performs other related duties as assigned.

Qualified candidates will demonstrate outstanding communication skills, while adhering to our Mission, Vision, and Values.

We are currently hiring for the following FTE’s:

• 90% FTE, with Benefits (36 hours per week)
• 30% FTE, without Benefits (12 hours per week)
• 10% FTE, Casual Hire without Benefits (Scheduled as needed)

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Provides skilled nursing care to long-term care patients: Assesses, plans, implements, and evaluates individualized care for residents, ensuring physical and psychosocial needs are met, including education and discharge planning.
• Work shifts in the Emergency Room as needed, assisting with urgent assessments, procedures, and emergency interventions in accordance with hospital policies.
• Administers treatments and medications: Performs and documents nursing procedures, tests, and medication administration in accordance with physician orders and facility policies.
• Ensures safety, quality, and compliance: Adheres to infection control and safety standards, maintains equipment readiness, and complies with hospital regulations and documentation requirements.
• Collaborates and communicates effectively: Coordinates with interdisciplinary teams, provides detailed shift reports, and maintains open communication with residents, families, and healthcare staff.
• Promotes professional development and teamwork: Participates in staff meetings, training, and quality improvement initiatives; serves as a positive role model and supports a respectful, service-oriented environment.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: To qualify, you must meet all of the following requirements. Please note that unless specifically indicated, the required education and experience may not be gained concurrently. In addition, qualifying work experience is credited based on a 40-hour workweek.

EDUCATION: Graduated from an accredited school of nursing. While not required, graduation from an accredited nursing program with a Bachelor’s Degree is highly desirable.

Evidence of the appropriate training (e.g. official transcript or diploma) should be submitted with the application to be given credit for education. A legible photocopy will be accepted. However, HHSC reserves the right to request an official copy.

EXPERIENCE: One-half (1/2) year of professional nursing work experience, where the employee independently provided nursing care to patients in a clinic, hospital, or institution. Two (2) to three (3) years of professional nursing experience in an acute hospital is preferred.

Possession of the required number of years of experience will not in itself be accepted as proof of qualification for a position. The applicant's overall experience must have been of such scope and level of responsibility as to conclusively demonstrate that he/she has the ability to perform the duties of the position for which he/she is being considered.

CERTIFICATION: Basic Life Support (BLS) in Health Care Provider (adult, child and infant) is required one (1) month after employment.

LICENSURE: A valid State of Hawaii as a Registered Nurse is required. Evidence of licensure is required with the application.

Company Description

As the Big Island’s leading providers of inpatient and outpatient care, the East Hawaii Region of Hawai`i Health Systems Corporation (HHSC), consisting of Hilo Benioff Medical Center, Honoka'a Hospital, Ka′u Hospital, Yukio Okutsu State Veterans Home, East Hawaii Medical Group and East Hawaii Health Pharmacy, delivers a full range of services and programs. Our three hospitals include 290 beds and more than 1,900 employees. Our medical staff is comprised of 250 physicians, physician assistants and Advanced Practice Registered Nurses, representing 33 specialties. East Hawaii Health is our network of clinics offering primary and specialty care. Hilo Benioff Medical Center functions as a Level III Trauma Center, which includes the second busiest emergency room in the state, providing 24-hour care and serving more than 50,000 patients annually. Honoka'a Hospital and Ka′u Hospital are designated as Critical Access Hospitals. To learn more about the East Hawaii Region, please watch our Video Yearbook or visit www.hbmc.org, www.honokaahospital.org or www.kauhospital.org.

Benefits

• 13 paid holidays each year (104 hours); 14 (112 hours) during election years*
• 21 paid vacation days (168 hours) per year*
• 21 paid sick days (168 hours) per year*
• Medical, dental, vision, and prescription plans
• Employee Assistance Program
• Participation in the State of Hawaii’s retirement system
• Potential eligibility for various student loan repayment & scholarship programs
• Rates listed for paid holidays, vacation and sick days are for 1.0 Full Time Equivalent (FTE) positions assigned to 8 hour shifts. Accruals for these benefits are otherwise prorated based on FTE.

Benefits

Registered Nurses will receive step movement salary increases based on total recent RN experience (within the past 5 years) and satisfactory service with the employer. Based on the 7/1/2025 salary schedule, nurses will receive pay increases according to the following schedule:

• $114,576/year: Eligible after 3 months with the employer and a total of 12 months RN experience.
$110,136
• $119,088/year: Eligible after 3 months with the employer and a total of 18 months RN experience.
$110,136
• $123,876/year: Eligible after 3 months with the employer and a total of 24 months RN experience.
• Rates listed are for 1.0 Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) positions. Rates are otherwise prorated based on FTE.

Pre-Employment Health Requirements

Offers of employment will be contingent on successfully passing a pre-employment examination, which includes a drug screen and other regulatory medical requirements such as, but not limited to, a tuberculosis (TB) screen. The cost for drug screening and blood draw for QuantiFERON and Titers, shall be borne by the Hawaii Health Systems Corporation.

Pre-Employment Assessments for External Candidates

As part of the recruiting process for this position, external applicants (job applicants NOT employed by HHSC’s East Hawaii Region) are required to complete pre-employment assessments shortly after application submission. If you are not an employee of the East Hawaii Region of HHSC, you will receive an email containing assessment instructions. We ask that you complete the assessments within two days of receipt of the request.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The East Hawaii Region of Hawaii Health Systems Corporation is a drug free workplace and an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Shift Details

Must be available to work shifts, weekends and holidays as necessary based on hospital operations. Services are provided 24/7.