PCA/ Nurse Assistant - Stepdown/Trauma - La Jolla

Scripps Health; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 34,000 - 43,000; Full time

Job summary

Scripps Memorial Hospital La Jolla in San Diego is seeking a Patient Care Assistant (PCA) for a full-time, 72 hours per pay period role with 12-hour day shifts, rotating weekends and holidays. Located at Scripps Memorial Hospital La Jolla, the PCA will support patients and the clinical care team with daily living activities and data collection.

Qualifications include CNA certification or RN program enrollment, plus BLS. Strong English skills and interpersonal abilities are required.

Qualifications

• Must be able to speak, read and follow instruction in English.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with a service aptitude.

Responsibilities

• Assists patients with personal needs and activities of daily living, collects data, and ensures the patient has a safe, organized environment.
• Assists with patient care within the scope permitted and under the direction of a clinician.
• Supports the unit with patient logistics, clerical, equipment/supply, and charge reconciliation duties.

Skills

English proficiency

Interpersonal skills

Education

CNA certification

Nursing Assistant training (current enrollment or completion)

RN program (second semester) enrollment

Job description

Scripps Memorial Hospital La Jolla has served the greater San Diego community since 1924. For more than a century, we continue to provide distinguished care, including several nationally ranked specialty programs. Scripps La Jolla was the first in San Diego to be designated a Magnet Hospital by the American Nursing Association.

Scripps La Jolla shares a campus with the Barbey Family Emergency and Trauma Center, a Level I Trauma Center, and the renowned Prebys Cardiovascular Institute. We’re also home to notable specialty programs, including cancer care, heart surgery, orthopedic surgery, labor and delivery services (including a Level III neonatal intensive care unit) and a nationally designated Comprehensive Stroke Center.

This is a Full-Time (72 hours per pay period, every 2 weeks), position with 12-hour DAY shift schedule on variable days of the week which includes rotating weekends and holidays.

Position is located at Scripps Memorial Hospital La Jolla.

Why join Scripps Health?

At Scripps Health, your ambition is empowered and your abilities are appreciated:

• Nearly a quarter of our employees have been with Scripps Health for over 10 years.
• Scripps is a Great Place to Work Certified company for 2026
• Scripps Health has been consistently ranked as a top employer for women, millennials, diversity, and as an overall workplace by various national publications.
• Beckers Healthcare ranked Scripps Health on its 2026 list of 150 top places to work in health care.
• We have transitional and professional development programs to create a learning environment that enables you to thrive in your specific field as well as in your overall career.
• Our specialties have been nationally recognized for quality in areas such as cardiovascular care, oncology, orthopedics, geriatrics, obstetrics and gynecology, and gastroenterology.

We invite you to join our highly engaged Stepdown/Trauma team of Patient Care Assistant’s and be a key member of an outstanding clinical care team.

The Patient Care Assistant (PCA) provides excellent service to patients as a key member of the clinical care team.

• Assists patients with personal needs and activities of daily living, collects data, and ensures the patient has a safe, organized environment.
• Assists with patient care within the scope permitted and under the direction of a clinician.
• Supports the unit with a variety of patient logistic, clerical, equipment/supply, and charge reconciliation duties.

Preferred Education/Experience/Specialized Skills/Certification

• CNA certification
• One-year patient related experience preferred

Required Education/Experience/Specialized Skills

• One year of recent experience working under the license of a licensed healthcare provider OR
• Current enrollment or completion of Nursing Assistant training from a recognized school OR
• Current enrollment in an RN program with completion of the second semester, including nursing fundamentals.
• Must be able to speak, read and follow instruction in English.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with a service aptitude.
• Current American Heart Association (AHA) Basic Life Support (BLS) for health care provider

At Scripps Health, you will experience the pride, support and respect of an organization that has been repeatedly recognized as one of the nation’s Top 100 Places to Work.

You’ll be surrounded by people committed to making a difference in the lives of their patients and their teammates. So if you’re open to change, go ahead and unlock your potential.

Position Pay Range: $25.48-$30.89/hour