Patient Care Assistant II (PCA) - Emergency Department

San Diego, CA

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Overview

Rady Children’s nurses serve as local and global leaders in shaping how care is delivered to patients and families throughout our organization and in the communities we serve. Behind each nurse and their leader is the commitment to learn more, improve outcomes and empower individuals to seek innovative solutions. We are transforming the role of the caregiver, and in that transformation, we are partners in advancing the quality of care. Every day, we look for new pathways. It is a journey of excellence.

It’s not just caring about children that makes our nursing staff so special. It’s the magic! Our dedication to specialized training and sensitivity is perfected by caring for children 100% of the time. Rady Children’s is designed, equipped and staffed just for kids. As the region’s only pediatric trauma center, we care for children with the most severe medical emergencies to those with mild illnesses.

Rady Children's offers competitive salaries, robust benefits, generous paid time off, retirement savings with contribution match, employee recognition, Team Rady events and celebrations, along with other great perks. Join us in sunny San Diego!

Job Type: Full-time, Part-time & Per diem
Level: Entry-level & Mid-level

Success Profile

What makes a successful Triage Nurse at Rady Children’s Hospital? Check out the traits we’re looking for and see if you have the right mix.

Adaptable
Collaborative
Compassionate
Courageous
Positive
Quick-thinking

Culture

Consistently excellent in providing the highest level of care for our patients.
Ensuring that our nursing team receives support, rewards and career advancement opportunities.
Committed to improving outcomes and empowering individuals to seek innovative solutions.
Collaborative, respectful and dedicated to care, research and teaching.

Career Path

Rady Children’s Hospital offers many career paths to support your immediate and future success.

CN I
CN II
CN III

Supervisor
Manager
Case Manager

Nurse Educator
Case Manager
Care Coordinator

It’s amazing to see these children go from weak to vibrant… The nurses who chose to come here are unique because they’re comfortable with these patients and are eager to give it their all… I’ve never worked with a more passionate group of nurses. Each and every one of them truly loves this patient population. They’re so dedicated and do such a great job.
Cheryle Pillow, Clinical Nurse III, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

Rewards

We offer a robust Total Rewards Package in order to help our employees achieve and maintain overall physical, emotional and financial well-being for themselves and their families

Health Plan

Medical, Dental, Vision
403(b) Retirement Plan

Match that increases with years of service
Tuition Reimbursement

Up to $10,000 per year, paid time off for seminars
Life and Disability Insurance
Competitive Salaries

Annual merit increases, longevity increases, success sharing, paid leave cash-out program
Awards & Recognition

Milestone awards, CARES recognition

Responsibilities

Job ID: 19307
Date posted: 09/25/2026
Schedule: Full-Time
Shift: Rotating
Department: Emergency Care Center

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 Specialists that 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.

Job Summary

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, EKGs, assisting with procedure holds for laceration repairs, IVs \ 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 and 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.

Under the direct supervision of a licensed care practitioner, the Patient Care Assistant II provides and documents clinical care and associated tasks as assigned. Applies appropriate age and developmental approach in application of care. Regularly performs a supportive role to physicians nurses and families in the delivery of patient care by assisting patient care delivery team with emergency calls and clinical communications and performing admission discharge and transfer workflows. Responds to emergency codes by performing appropriate protocols and identifying, initiating and using vital resources. Prepares and maintains patient medical record on the clinical unit including the medical record discharge process. Enters compiles and reviews reports in a timely and accurate manner. Performs administrative duties as assigned.

Skills Required

- Proven experience as PCA

- Committed to health & safety

- Well-organized

- Excellent communication and people skills

- Positive and conscientious demeanor

- Strong ethics

Schedule

Night shift 1900-0730, 3 12-hour shifts

Weekend requirements are 4 weekend shifts per 4-week schedule per CBA guidelines. Night shift (1900 and 1600) weekend days are Friday and Saturday.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

- High School Diploma, GED, or Equivalent

- BLS for Healthcare Providers issued by the American Heart Association

Must have one of the following:

1. Completion of a Certified Nursing Assistant program

2. Completion of a Certified Medical Assistant program

3. Completion of a Certified Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) program

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

Knowledge of medical terminology

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

Associate's Degree

Completion of a RN/LVN pediatric rotation

More than one-year previous healthcare or unit clerk experience

Bilingual preferred

The current salary range for this position is $23.00 to $30.27/hr.

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.

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