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Pca Externship Jobs (NOW HIRING)

$13.75 - $18.75/hr

Two years acute care hospital experience or completion of PCA externship LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS Required * CNA - Certified Nursing Assistant - State Licensure - Texas Department of Licensing and ...

$13.75 - $18.75/hr

PCA externship PCA internal internship Six months of direct patient care experience Enrolled in a school of nursing program with a completed first clinical rotation LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS ...

Complimentary orthopedic and primary care at OPA and PCA * Medical and dental insurance coverage ... One year of clinical experience working as a medical assistant OR completion of externship in a ...

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Pca Externship information

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$13

$24

$34

How much do pca externship jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 9, 2026, the average hourly pay for pca externship in the United States is $24.67, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $20.19 and $26.92 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Pca Externship vs Pca?

AspectPca ExternshipPca
Required CredentialsHigh school diploma or equivalent; some programs may require CPR certificationCertified Nursing Assistant (CNA) certification or equivalent
Work EnvironmentTemporary, educational setting; often in healthcare facilities for trainingFull-time or part-time employment in healthcare settings, providing patient care
Employer & Industry UsageEducational programs, internships, or training for healthcare rolesHealthcare providers, hospitals, nursing homes, and home care agencies

The Pca Externship is a temporary training program designed to prepare individuals for a career as a Pca, often focusing on education and skill development. In contrast, a Pca is a certified caregiver providing direct patient care in healthcare settings. The externship offers hands-on experience, while the Pca role involves actual employment and responsibilities in patient support.

What is a PCA externship?

A PCA externship is a hands-on training program for individuals preparing to become Personal Care Assistants (PCAs). During the externship, participants work under supervision in real-world healthcare environments, such as hospitals or care facilities, to gain practical experience assisting patients with daily living activities. The externship helps bridge the gap between classroom learning and on-the-job skills, providing valuable exposure to patient care routines, safety protocols, and communication practices. Completing a PCA externship can also improve job prospects and readiness for certification or employment.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a PCA Extern, and why are they important?

To thrive as a PCA Extern, you need fundamental knowledge of patient care, basic medical procedures, and often completion or enrollment in a certified nursing assistant (CNA) or similar program. Familiarity with patient monitoring equipment, electronic health records (EHRs), and standard healthcare protocols is typically expected. Strong communication, compassion, and teamwork skills help you excel in supporting patients and collaborating with healthcare staff. These skills and qualities are crucial to provide effective, safe, and empathetic care in clinical environments.

What kind of hands-on experience can I expect during a PCA Externship, and how does this prepare me for a full-time PCA role?

During a PCA Externship, you’ll typically work closely with experienced Patient Care Assistants and nursing staff in a real healthcare setting, assisting with daily patient care tasks such as bathing, feeding, and mobility support. This hands-on exposure allows you to develop practical skills, understand patient needs, and become comfortable with hospital protocols and equipment. Externships also provide opportunities to observe interdisciplinary teamwork and build strong communication abilities, both of which are essential for a successful transition into a full-time PCA position.
More about Pca Externship jobs
What cities are hiring for Pca Externship jobs? Cities with the most Pca Externship job openings:
What states have the most Pca Externship jobs? States with the most job openings for Pca Externship jobs include:
Infographic showing various Pca Externship job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 34% Full Time, and 65% Part Time. Highlights an 100% Physical job distribution, with an average salary of $51,320 per year, or $24.7 per hour.
Patient Care Assistant - HMH Float

Patient Care Assistant - HMH Float

Houston Methodist

On-site

$13.75 - $18.75/hr

Full-time

Posted 12 days ago


Houston Methodist rating

8.1

Company rating: 8.1 out of 10

Based on 293 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

70th of 870 rated healthcare providers


Job description

At Houston Methodist, the Patient Care Assistant (PCA) Flex position is responsible for functioning as novice to competent and demonstrates basic knowledge and skills necessary to communicate appropriately and carry out delegated nursing assistant level tasks for assigned age-specific, diverse patient population, assisting in the delivery of patient care and services under the supervision of a licensed nurse. This position conducts hourly rounding to ensure patient needs are met and records data established by policy and procedure, and reports observations and patient problems to the licensed nurse. The PCA Flex position performs basic patient care activities of daily living (ADL's) within unit-specific defined limits and job scope, such as assistance with patient elimination, hygiene, comfort, safety, nutrition, and progress activity and practices Patient and Family Centered Care in concert with Houston Methodist ICARE values. FLSA STATUS
Non-exempt
QUALIFICATIONS
EDUCATION
  • High School diploma or equivalent education (examples include: GED, verification of homeschool equivalency, partial or full completion of post-secondary education, etc.)

EXPERIENCE
  • Two years acute care hospital experience or completion of PCA externship

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS
Required
  • CNA - Certified Nursing Assistant - State Licensure - Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation_PSV and
  • BLS - Basic Life Support or Instructor (AHA) - American Heart Association and
  • NVCRISIS - Nonviolent Crisis Intervention or Instructor (CPI) - Crisis Prevention Institute within 4 months

KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES
  • Demonstrates the skills and competencies necessary to safely perform the assigned job, determined through on-going skills, competency assessments, and performance evaluations
  • Sufficient proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing the English language necessary to perform the essential functions of this job, especially with regard to activities impacting patient or employee safety or security
  • Ability to effectively communicate with patients, physicians, family members and co-workers in a manner consistent with a customer service focus and application of positive language principles
  • Performs basic patient care activities of daily living (ADL's) within unit specific defined limits and job scope, such as assistance with patient elimination, hygiene, comfort, safety, nutrition, and progress activity

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
PEOPLE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
  • Promotes a positive work environment with the interprofessional care team. Participates in teamwork by responding positively to requests for assistance. Works well with others to make contributions to the work effort as a whole and facilitates problem resolution.
  • Interacts with peers, staff, and physicians in a supportive and respectful manner. Encourages open communication to achieve mutual understanding. Communication to promote both work efforts and problem resolution is clear and professional. Collaborates with all members of the interprofessional team by actively communicating and reporting pertinent patient care information in a clear and timely manner.
  • Provides contributions towards improvement of department scores for employee engagement, i.e., peer-to-peer accountability.

SERVICE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
  • Follows the patient and family-centered care standards and provides direct patient care under the direction of a registered nurse. Documents, where applicable, care administered, diagnostic measurements, treatments and procedures in accordance with established policies and procedures. Responds to the call light system, contacting nursing personnel as appropriate, and follows through with meeting patient needs.
  • Assists with maintaining, cleaning, and stocking of equipment and supplies as established on assigned unit. May serve as an in-house courier which may include retrieving blood, hand delivering labs, tele boxes, etc. Organizes the workflow, problem-solves basic and routine matters, and manages multiple ongoing priorities, seeking guidance and assistance from preceptor, licensed nurse, or management.
  • Contributes towards improving department scores for patient satisfaction through peer-to-peer accountability, i.e., bedside shift handoff/report.

QUALITY/SAFETY ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
  • Reports observations, conditions and problems of patients to licensed personnel to achieve desired patient outcomes. Provides for the privacy of patients and families, keeping the safety of the patient in mind.
  • Provides appropriate hand-off at change of shift at patient bedside to communicate and collaborate, promoting patient-centered care.
  • Conducts hourly rounding to ensure patient needs are met (four P's). Reports near misses and collaborates with the interprofessional health care team to improve patient safety.
  • Contributes towards improving quality and safety scores, through peer-to-peer accountability. Supports initiatives to prevent conditions such as pressure injuries, patient falls, and hospital-acquired infections.

FINANCE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
  • Assists with patient and staffing needs, floating across the hospital as competencies allow. Utilizes time between heavy workloads efficiently.
  • Utilizes resources with cost effectiveness and value creation in mind. Self-motivated to independently manage time effectively and prioritize daily tasks, minimizing incidental overtime, assisting coworkers as needed.

GROWTH/INNOVATION ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
  • Offers innovative solutions in performance improvement projects and shared governance activities.
  • Seeks opportunities to identify self-development needs on knowledge base, skill level and decision-making, as necessary, especially in areas of question, from preceptor and assigned licensed personnel and takes appropriate action. Ensures own career discussions occur with appropriate management. Completes and updates the My Development Plan on an on-going basis.

SUPPLEMENTAL REQUIREMENTS
    WORK ATTIRE
    • Uniform: No
    • Scrubs: Yes
    • Business professional: No
    • Other (department approved): Yes

    ON-CALL*
    *Note that employees may be required to be on-call during emergencies (ie. Disaster, Severe Weather Events, etc) regardless of selection below.
    • On Call* No

    TRAVEL**
    **Travel specifications may vary by department**
    • May require travel within the Houston Metropolitan area No
    • May require travel outside Houston Metropolitan area No

Work Shift:

3 - Night (United States of America)

Job Category:

Non-clinical Houston Methodist Hospital is recognized by U.S. News & World Report as the No. 1 hospital in Texas and one of America's "Best Hospitals." As a full-service, acute-care hospital located in the Texas Medical Center and the flagship hospital of Houston Methodist, it has evolved into one of the nation's largest nonprofit teaching hospitals and a leader in innovative medical research with a comprehensive residency program. Two of Houston Methodist's primary academic affiliates are among the nation's leading health care organizations: Weill Cornell Medicine and New York-Presbyterian Hospital. Houston Methodist also has affiliations with Texas A&M University and the University of Houston. Houston Methodist Hospital offers unparalleled care for thousands of patients from around the world.

Houston Methodist is an Equal Opportunity Employer.


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