WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT
RECRUITMENT & RETENTION
Community health centers depend on a strong and well-prepared workforce to meet the needs of their communities. We aim to support health centers in strengthening recruitment, retention, and professional development efforts. This work focuses on sharing best practices, connecting health centers to resources, and building the capacity of health center teams across Hawaiʻi.
Supporting a Strong Health Center Workforce
Finding and keeping skilled health professionals is one of the most pressing challenges facing community health centers in Hawaiʻi. Across the state, health centers serve geographically dispersed communities — from rural areas to neighbor islands — where provider shortages can be acute and staff turnover costly.
HPCA provides training and technical assistance to help health centers navigate these challenges. Our work in this area covers best practices for recruitment and hiring, onboarding and staff development, provider well-being and burnout prevention, and helping health centers build workplace cultures where people want to stay.
Provider Well-Being & Burnout Prevention
Well-being is part of workforce strategy.
Health center staff are mission-driven, but the demands of community-based primary care are real. Provider burnout affects quality of care, team stability, and organizational sustainability. HPCA supports health centers in developing approaches that take well-being seriously — not as an add-on, but as a core part of workforce strategy.
This includes sharing evidence-based frameworks for reducing burnout, supporting leadership development that promotes healthy team culture, and connecting health centers to national resources and peer learning opportunities.
Loan repayment & incentive programs
Considering a health center career or already part of the team? Loan repayment programs are a powerful workforce incentive. Here are some opportunities we’ve identified through our network to support recruitment and retention efforts across Hawai‘i’s health centers.
National Health Service Corps (NHSC)
The NHSC offers scholarships and loan repayment awards to primary care providers — including physicians, dentists, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and behavioral health providers — in exchange for service at NHSC-approved sites in Health Professional Shortage Areas. All 14 of Hawaiʻi's community health centers are in designated HPSAs, making their staff eligible to apply.
Hawaiʻi State Loan Repayment Program (HSLRP)
A federally funded, state-matched program supporting loan repayment for primary care and behavioral health providers at non-profit organizations in designated HPSAs. Technical assistance is available through Hawaiʻi/Pacific Basin AHEC.
HRSA Health Workforce Connector
A free database of job openings and training opportunities at NHSC-approved sites nationwide. Health centers can post open positions; providers and students can search for opportunities.
Hawaiʻi Healthcare Education Loan Repayment Program (HELP)
Funded by the Hawaiʻi State Legislature and administered by Hawaiʻi/Pacific Basin AHEC, HELP provides educational loan repayment to licensed health professionals practicing in Hawaiʻi in exchange for a service commitment.
Native Hawaiian Health Scholarship Program (NHHSP)
The Native Hawaiian Health Scholarship Program (NHHSP), administered by Papa Ola Lōkahi, provides scholarships to Native Hawaiian students in health professions — covering tuition, books, and a monthly stipend — in exchange for 2–4 years of service in medically underserved areas in Hawaiʻi. The 2026–2027 application cycle is open.
Growing Local Talent:
The MA Apprenticeship Model
One of the most effective approaches to building a stable health center workforce is growing talent from within the community. Medical Assistant (MA) Apprenticeship Programs offer a structured, earn-while-you-learn pathway for community members to enter clinical careers at health centers — reducing hiring costs, improving retention, and deepening the connection between staff and the communities they serve.
At our 2024 Hoʻōla Conference, Patricia Sutton, former Chief Operations Officer at Waimānalo Health Center, shared their health center's journey with their MA Apprenticeship Program.
Your Career at a Community Health Center
Community health centers are some of the most mission-driven places to work in health care — integrated, team-based settings where every role plays a direct part in keeping communities healthy.
CLINICAL
Primary Care Provider (MD, DO, NP, PA)
Diagnoses and treats acute and chronic conditions, provides preventive care, and coordinates services with behavioral health, dental, and specialty providers.
CLINICAL
Registered Nurse / LPN
Administers medications, manages care plans, educates patients, and supports care coordination and chronic disease management.
CLINICAL
Registered Nurse / LPN Medical Assistant (MA)
Supports clinical providers by preparing patients, collecting vital signs, documenting histories, and assisting with procedures.
ENABLING & SUPPORT
Patient Navigator / Community Health Worker
Helps patients connect with services, navigate their care, and address barriers to staying healthy.
ENABLING & SUPPORT
Health IT Staff
Supports electronic health record systems, data quality, and technology infrastructure.
CLINICAL
Behavioral Health Provider
Provides counseling, therapy, and mental health assessments, integrated directly into the primary care team.
CLINICAL
Dentist / Dental Hygienist / Dental Assistant
Provides preventive and restorative oral health services as part of an integrated care team.
CLINICAL
Pharmacist / Pharmacy Technician
Provides preventive and restorative oral health services as part of an integrated care team. Dispenses medications, provides counseling, and supports patients in following their treatment plans.
ENABLING & SUPPORT
Outreach Worker
Engages community members who may not have regular access to care, including through mobile and school-based settings.
ENABLING & SUPPORT
Administrative & Operations Staff
Manages front desk operations, billing, scheduling, and the day-to-day functions that make patient care possible.
Ready to explore a career at a health center?
Take our interactive quiz to find out which roles might be a great fit .