Responsible for the coordination of referrals and admission into Kupu Care, Inpatient, Contracted Facilities, and Special assignments.
Posted Oct 7
Shift and hours
As needed Coverage scheduled as needed, dependent on the agency's need.
Unit and setting
Palliative Possesses extensive knowledge and understanding of the serious illness population.serious illness population
License
RN license Possession and maintenance of a valid Hawai’i State nursing license.Hawai'i State nursing license
Term
Per Diem
Do you qualify?
License
Hawai'i State nursing licensePossession and maintenance of a valid Hawai’i State nursing license.Check your license
Certification
CPR CertificationPossession of current CPR Certification.
Education
RN Nursing Curriculum graduateGraduate of a RN Nursing Curriculum; BSN preferred.
Experience
two (2) years of experience in a health care organization with similar patient care situationsMinimum two (2) years of experience in a health care organization with similar patient care situations.
base hourly rate varies based on experience, education, geography and other relevant factorsThe actual base salary offer will depend on a variety of factors including experience, education, geography and other relevant factors.
The role and schedule
Day to day
assess eligibility for Kupu Care ProgramAssess patients’ medical status to determine eligibility for the Kupu Care Program.
Day to day
perform initial and physical nursing assessmentsPerform initial and physical nursing assessments, considering goals of care and expected disease progression.
Day to day
manage complex pain and symptomsManage complex pain and symptoms within the palliative care framework.
Day to day
develop and initiate Initial Plan of CareDevelop and initiate the Initial Plan of Care in collaboration with the Kupu Care Physician, Primary Care Physician (PCP), and Specialists.
Day to day
assess care urgency and coordinate interventionsAssess urgency of care and coordinate appropriate interventions when needed.
Day to day
document assessments and coordinate medication reconciliationDocument assessments and coordinate medication reconciliation with PCPs and Specialists.
Day to day
conduct medication review and reconciliationConduct medication review and reconciliation based on patient condition.
Day to day
ensure patients receive DME and medical suppliesEnsure patients receive necessary durable medical equipment (DME) and medical supplies when ordered and appropriate.
Day to day
educate and support patients and caregivers on disease processes and care regimensProvide education and support to patients and caregivers on disease processes and care regimens.
Day to day
contribute to patient and family understanding of palliative care and interdisciplinary approachContribute to patient and family understanding of palliative care and the interdisciplinary care approach.
Day to day
communicate admission reports with clinical team membersCommunicate detailed admission reports with Clinical team members, including Physician/APRN, Social Work, and Spiritual Care.
Day to day
educate and facilitate advance care planning and POLST conversationsEducate and facilitate conversations around advance care planning and POLST with patients and families.
Day to day
identify and recommend community resourcesIdentify and recommend appropriate community resources for patient and family support.
Day to day
document nursing and admission-related information per guidelinesDocument all nursing and admission-related information per palliative care guidelines.
Day to day
provide education and training to patients, caregivers, and Kupu Care Team membersProvide education and training to patients, caregivers, and members of the Kupu Care Team.
Day to day
conduct routine nursing visitsConduct routine nursing visits as assigned.
Day to day
participate in meetings and committeesParticipate in meetings and committees as requested.
Day to day
assist with program development and special projectsAssist with program development and special projects.
Day to day
perform hospice admissions for patients transitioning from Kupu CarePerform hospice admissions for patients transitioning from Kupu Care to hospice.
Day to day
maintain required visit credits per weekMaintain productivity standards, including required visit credits per week.
Day to day
identify patients eligible for hospice and coordinate transition communicationIdentify patients who may be eligible for hospice and coordinate communication for transition.
Day to day
provide unsupervised healthcare services in private residences and handle controlled and prescribed medicationsAbility to provide unsupervised health care services in private residences, as well as to handle and administer controlled and prescribed medications.
Hours stated
Coverage scheduled as needed, dependent on the agency's need.
Referral Coordination & Eligibility Determination | Comprehensive Nursing Assessment & Symptom Management | Interdisciplinary Care Planning & Care Transitions | Patient, Family & Caregiver Education & Support | Documentation, Compliance & Program Development.
Position Summary
Responsible for the coordination of referrals and admission into Kupu Care, Inpatient, Contracted Facilities, and Special assignments. Possesses extensive knowledge and understanding of the serious illness population. Determines eligibility criteria utilizing critical thinking skills and judgment in the admission process for patients.
Duties & Responsibilities
Assess patients’ medical status to determine eligibility for the Kupu Care Program.
Perform initial and physical nursing assessments, considering goals of care and expected disease progression.
Manage complex pain and symptoms within the palliative care framework.
Develop and initiate the Initial Plan of Care in collaboration with the Kupu Care Physician, Primary Care Physician (PCP), and Specialists.
Assess urgency of care and coordinate appropriate interventions when needed.
Document assessments and coordinate medication reconciliation with PCPs and Specialists.
Conduct medication review and reconciliation based on patient condition.
Ensure patients receive necessary durable medical equipment (DME) and medical supplies when ordered and appropriate.
Provide education and support to patients and caregivers on disease processes and care regimens.
Contribute to patient and family understanding of palliative care and the interdisciplinary care approach.
Communicate detailed admission reports with Clinical team members, including Physician/APRN, Social Work, and Spiritual Care.
Educate and facilitate conversations around advance care planning and POLST with patients and families.
Identify and recommend appropriate community resources for patient and family support.
Document all nursing and admission-related information per palliative care guidelines.
Provide education and training to patients, caregivers, and members of the Kupu Care Team.
Conduct routine nursing visits as assigned.
Practice clinical care in alignment with Hawaii Care Choices mission, vision, values, policies, and procedures.
Support organizational cost containment efforts while maintaining quality of care.
Follow and promote safe work practices according to Hawaii Care Choices policies and procedures.
Participate in meetings and committees as requested.
Assist with program development and special projects.
Perform hospice admissions for patients transitioning from Kupu Care to hospice.
Communicate effectively and timely with team members and staff.
Maintain productivity standards, including required visit credits per week.
Identify patients who may be eligible for hospice and coordinate communication for transition.
Skill & Knowledge
Requirements
Ability to exercise independent sound judgment in planning and providing quality hospice nursing care.
Ability to provide unsupervised health care services in private residences, as well as to handle and administer controlled and prescribed medications.
Ability to identify and provide for psychosocial needs of the patient and care givers.
Duties require excellent critical thinking and assessment skills.
Adequate educational and experiential level to meet the needs of the patients and care givers and regulations established by State and Federal law.
Possession and maintenance of a valid Hawai’i State nursing license.
Possession of current CPR Certification.
Education & Experience
Requirements
Graduate of a RN Nursing Curriculum; BSN preferred.
Minimum two (2) years of experience in a health care organization with similar patient care situations.
Hours
Coverage scheduled as needed, dependent on the agency's need.
Pay $45.00 - $49.00 per hour.
This pay range represents the base hourly rate or base annual full-time salary for all positions in the job grade within which this position falls. The actual base salary offer will depend on a variety of factors including experience, education, geography and other relevant factors.
Neighborhoods+Prospective residents often choose between central Hilo neighborhoods and lower-density outlying subdivisions. Core pockets such as Downtown Hilo Town and South Hilo provide immediate proximity to urban conveniences, grocery stores, and medical hubs. West Hilo off Saddle Road, along with cooler upland spots like Kurtistown, Mountain View, and Volcano, attract those who prefer higher elevations and tranquil rural surroundings. Subdivisions in the broader Puna district, notably Hawaiian Paradise Park and Ainaloa, sit roughly 15 to 20 minutes outside Hilo and represent more budget-friendly entry points, though they require a daily highway commute.
Prospective residents often choose between central Hilo neighborhoods and lower-density outlying subdivisions. Core pockets such as Downtown Hilo Town and South Hilo provide immediate proximity to urban conveniences, grocery stores, and medical hubs.
West Hilo off Saddle Road, along with cooler upland spots like Kurtistown, Mountain View, and Volcano, attract those who prefer higher elevations and tranquil rural surroundings. Subdivisions in the broader Puna district, notably Hawaiian Paradise Park and Ainaloa, sit roughly 15 to 20 minutes outside Hilo and represent more budget-friendly entry points, though they require a daily highway commute.
Getting around+Commuting within Hilo proper is straightforward and relatively brief, but travel times increase substantially when living in surrounding rural areas. Commuters traveling from outlying communities in the Puna district—such as Pāhoa, Ainaloa, or Hawaiian Paradise Park—often face highway congestion during peak morning and evening drive windows. Access to the island's western side and interior utilizes Saddle Road, while coastal trips north follow the scenic Hāmākua Coast corridor.
Commuting within Hilo proper is straightforward and relatively brief, but travel times increase substantially when living in surrounding rural areas. Commuters traveling from outlying communities in the Puna district—such as Pāhoa, Ainaloa, or Hawaiian Paradise Park—often face highway congestion during peak morning and evening drive windows.
Access to the island's western side and interior utilizes Saddle Road, while coastal trips north follow the scenic Hāmākua Coast corridor.
Outdoors+Outdoor recreation is woven into daily life, driven by constant green scenery and flowing waterways. Prominent destinations right by the bay include the tranquil Japanese gardens at Liliʻuokalani Gardens and footbridge access to Coconut Island. Just inland and along the nearby coast, hikers and sightseers frequent Rainbow Falls, the 442-foot ʻAkaka Falls State Park, and the Kaumana Caves lava tube. Other nature-centric spots include the botanical rainforest setting of Panaʻewa Rainforest Zoo, Onomea Bay along the scenic Hāmākua Coast, and farm tours at Lavaloha Chocolate Farm.
Outdoor recreation is woven into daily life, driven by constant green scenery and flowing waterways. Prominent destinations right by the bay include the tranquil Japanese gardens at Liliʻuokalani Gardens and footbridge access to Coconut Island.
Just inland and along the nearby coast, hikers and sightseers frequent Rainbow Falls, the 442-foot ʻAkaka Falls State Park, and the Kaumana Caves lava tube. Other nature-centric spots include the botanical rainforest setting of Panaʻewa Rainforest Zoo, Onomea Bay along the scenic Hāmākua Coast, and farm tours at Lavaloha Chocolate Farm.
Check the commute at your shift’s start and end, upfront housing costs, and whether moving assistance must be repaid if you leave.
Living in Hilo
Hilo presents a genuinely distinct living environment on the windward coast of the Big Island, characterized by over one hundred inches of annual rainfall, verdant rainforest vegetation, and an authentic local identity far removed from mainland tourist enclaves. For relocating healthcare professionals, the city offers an appealing balance of community warmth and natural drama. Central neighborhoods in South Hilo and Hilo Town keep medical staff close to major facilities, grocery centers, and celebrated eateries such as Ken's House of Pancakes, Conscious Culture Cafe, and Two Ladies Kitchen. Those who prioritize larger acreage or more accessible price points often look to Puna district subdivisions like Hawaiian Paradise Park or Ainaloa, trading shorter drives for a 15-to-20-minute highway commute. Downtime is defined by outdoor retreats—strolling through Liliʻuokalani Gardens, swimming off Coconut Island, visiting Rainbow Falls, or browsing the Hilo Farmers Market on Kamehameha Avenue. While prospective transplants must adjust to higher grocery and electric costs, persistent moisture, and a quiet nightlife, Hilo rewards adaptable nurses with rich cultural roots, incredible biodiversity, and a grounding sense of place.
