Report: Over 2,000 Healthcare Jobs Vacant in Hawaiʻi

The Healthcare Association of Hawaiʻi conducted its first survey on Hawaiʻiʻs healthcare workforce needs. 

According to the report, there are currently 2,200 healthcare positions open across the islands, with most jobs taking 6 months to a year to fill.

The report also found that there are no training programs in Hawaiʻi for 19 of the 76 non-physician, patient-facing positions. Four of those positions are fields in high demand, such as physical therapy and registered nurse case management. 

According to HAH, there is a sufficient amount of registered nurses graduating from college, but these nurses need additional training for specialty practices in hospitals. 

“It’s clear from this report that we must act now to address the growing need for healthcare employees,” HAH president Hilton R Raethel said in a press release. 

“We need to work with multiple stakeholders to better align Hawaiʻi’s recruitment efforts and educational programs with healthcare’s evolving needs.”

HAH announced that they will update their research on Hawaiʻiʻs healthcare industry every two years. 

Several Hawaiʻi healthcare organizations have already launched programs to recruit, educate, and train employees, according to HAH.