About the Position

The Patient Care Assistant is a team member who functions as part of our Emergency Department team caring for our medical and behavioral health patients. PCAs support and collaborate with our care team of physicians, nurses, respiratory therapists, social workers, child life and more to provide safe care for our patients. 

The PCAs may provide direct patient care, assisting with vitals, applying splints for orthopedic injuries, assisting with procedure holds for laceration repairs, IVs and lumbar punctures or assisting with the flow of the department, rooming patients, providing comfort care items, cleaning rooms, or transporting.

In addition, the ED PCA is trained in the role of our hospital unit clerk, and may have to occasionally step into this role, answering internal and external phone calls from staff, the community, and local hospitals. 

The third role includes the role of a patient safety monitor with our behavioral health patients, while in this role they continuously monitor patient behavior, documenting changes, or preferences, engage in safe distractions/activities/therapeutic conversations while they await an appropriate disposition. 

They should be flexible, adaptable, and comfortable, changing hats and responsibilities to assist with the needs of the department at any time during their shift. They should be strong communicators, team players and comfortable with de-escalation techniques and managing challenging behaviors.

Schedule

Night shift 1900-0730, 3 12-hour shifts 

Weekend requirements are 4 weekend shifts per 4-week schedule per CBA guidelines. Night shiftweekend days are Friday and Saturday. 

About the Department

The Rady Children's Emergency Department is a Lantern-awarded Level I Trauma Center with 42 beds, including two trauma rooms. We are the only pediatric emergency department within the San Diego region and operate 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. We are proud to have a big team of MDs, RNs, LVNs, HUCs, PCAs, BHAs, Social Workers, Child Life Specialists, and Behavioral Specialiststhat value strong collaboration and communication across disciplines. We are a busy department that cares for over 300 patients each day, with a census of 103,000 patients last year, and includes a growing population of behavioral health patients.

SKILLS REQUIRED:

- Proven experience as PCA

- Committed to health & safety

- Well-organized

- Excellent communication and people skills

- Positive and conscientious demeanor

- Strong ethics

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

- High School Diploma, GED, or Equivalent

- BLS for Healthcare Providers issued by the American Heart Association

- One of the following:

1. Completion of a CNA or Medical Assistant program

2. Enrolled in a Registered Nurse program AND completed at least 1 clinical acute hospital rotation.

Knowledge of medical terminology

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

Associate's Degree

Certified Medical Assistant

Certified Nursing Assistant

Completion of a RN/LVN pediatric rotation

More than one-year previous healthcare or unit clerk experience

Bilingual preferred

The expected hiring range for this position is $20.96 to $28.81

Rady Children’s Hospital is committed to compensation that is externally competitive and internally equitable. We demonstrate this commitment by conducting regular market reviews to remain competitive with organizations of similar size in the nonprofit, healthcare sector. The range listed above does not represent the full salary range for the position but is the expected hiring range for qualified candidates. Compensation decisions consider a variety of factors including experience, education, licensure, unique skillsets, organizational need, and internal equity. This posting will remain open from the “date posted” until the hiring manager has determined there is a sufficient applicant pool or until the position is filled.