How to Earn Patient Care Hours for PA School - No Certification Required

Why Patient Care Hours Matter for Aspiring PAs

For students aiming to become Physician Assistants (PAs), gaining direct patient care experience is one of the most important steps in preparing for PA school. These hours reflect your ability to work in real clinical settings, interact with patients, and develop a foundational understanding of healthcare delivery.

While it’s commonly believed that certification is necessary to get started, the truth is you can accumulate hundreds or even thousands of direct patient care hours without being a certified nurse assistant (CNA), emergency medical technician (EMT), or medical assistant (MA). In fact, some of the most valuable experiences come from roles that offer on-the-job training, international internships, or volunteer placements.

> Explore Go Elective Pre-PA and PA Internships Abroad 

Understanding Healthcare Experience vs. Patient Care Experience

Before you pursue these opportunities, it’s crucial to understand what PA programs are actually looking for.

Healthcare Experience (HCE)

• Involves working in a larger hospital facility such at the Coast General Hospital - An 800 bed facility serving up to 3 million people
• May include administrative roles, health advocacy, or public health education.
• Guided hands on clinical experience
• Exposure to unique diseases such as tropical medical 

Patient Care Experience (PCE)

• Involves direct interaction with patients, including physical care and clinical decision-making.
• Highly valued by PA programs because it mirrors the responsibilities of a practicing PA.
• Required by almost all accredited programs.

Roles that qualify for PCE must involve active engagement with patients. PA schools look for candidates who can demonstrate their ability to work under pressure, communicate effectively with patients, and understand the nuances of clinical care.

Do You Really Need a Certification to Get Started?

The answer is no. Many hospitals, clinics, and healthcare programs offer non-certified entry-level positions or volunteer roles that qualify as patient care hours.

There are also international opportunities, like Go Elective’s pre-PA internships in East Africa, where you can gain supervised clinical experience in resource-limited settings. These programs don’t require prior certification and still offer extensive, high-impact hours.

Top Roles That Count as Patient Care Experience—Without Certification

You can accumulate meaningful patient care experience through a wide range of roles. Below are some of the most common ones that don’t require prior certification or licensure.

1. Patient Care Technician (PCT)

• Support nurses by recording vital signs, helping with daily tasks, and collecting specimens.
• Training often occurs on the job; some facilities only require a high school diploma and CPR certification.
• Certification requirements vary by state (details below).

2. Medical Assistant (MA)

• Perform a combination of administrative and clinical tasks.
• Involves taking patient histories, preparing patients for exams, and assisting with minor procedures.
• Some MAs are trained on-site with no prior certification, especially in small clinics and private practices.

3. Clinical Research Assistant (CRA)

• Engage with patients participating in clinical trials.
• Duties may include monitoring vital signs, administering surveys, and tracking medication adherence.
• Most employers prefer a bachelor’s degree but not all require certification.

4. Physical Therapy Aide

• Help patients perform rehabilitation exercises.
• Support physical therapists by managing equipment and monitoring progress.
• Usually requires only high school education and on-site training.

5. Dialysis Technician

• Operate dialysis machines and monitor patients during treatment.
• Some roles offer on-the-job training without certification, though many states require formal licensure.

6. Ophthalmic Technician

• Assist with vision exams, collect patient histories, and perform diagnostic imaging.
• Some states require certification for specific procedures, but many clinics offer in-house training.

7. Pharmacy Technician

• Support pharmacists with medication prep and patient interaction.
• Certification is required in some states but not all (e.g., California does not mandate it).
• The role qualifies if it involves direct patient counseling or clinical support.

Volunteer Roles That Qualify as Patient Care Hours

Clinic and Hospital Volunteers

• Assist with patient check-ins, basic mobility support, feeding assistance, and patient companionship.
• These hours count if you are engaging in direct care rather than administrative work.

Hospice Volunteers

• Offer emotional support and comfort to terminally ill patients.
• While not medically intensive, this role teaches empathy and communication in a clinical setting.

Medical Mission Participants

• Provide hands-on care in underserved areas.
• Includes clinical shadowing, health education, first aid, and direct patient assistance.
• Go Elective’s programs in East Africa are ideal for this, offering structured mentorship and global health exposure.

Global Internships: A Competitive Advantage for Pre-PAs

International pre-PA internships offer more than just hours—they provide a deep understanding of health equity, adaptability in diverse settings, and intercultural competence.

Why Choose Go Elective?

1. Based in East Africa, Go Elective partners with large referral hospitals and public health institutions.
2. Interns rotate through departments such as internal medicine, pediatrics, emergency care, and OB/GYN.
3. You’ll gain 30–40 hours of supervised clinical exposure each week, with mentorship from physicians and senior medical officers.

Program Benefits

1. Secure, gated accommodations and transport to facilities.
2. Full support from an on-ground team.
3. Affordable pricing, with everything from meals to hospital fees included.
4. Admissions guidance and clinical evaluations available upon request.
5. Group discounts

Explore the full program structure here.

State-by-State Breakdown: Where Certification is Needed

For example, PCT certification is required in:

• California (CA)
• Maryland (MD)
• New York (NY)
• Ohio (OH)
• Virginia (VA)
• West Virginia (WV)

Certification is not required in:

• Florida (FL)
• Texas (TX)
• Pennsylvania (PA)
• Georgia (GA)
• Illinois (IL)

Always confirm with your state health department or the National Healthcareer Association.

How Many Hours Do You Need?

Most PA schools require anywhere from 500 to 2,000 hours of patient care. Here are some examples:

To check requirements for your schools of interest, visit the PAEA Program Directory.

How to Maximize Your Patient Care Experience

1. Keep detailed logs of your hours and responsibilities.
2. Choose roles with direct interaction over observation-only roles.
3. Reflect on your experience in a journal to prepare for interviews and personal statements.
4. Consider an international experience to stand out in your application pool.

Final Takeaway: Start Where You Are—Build From There

You don’t need a license or certification to get started. There are dozens of meaningful roles that allow you to engage with patients, build empathy, and grow your understanding of clinical care.

Whether you’re volunteering in your hometown hospital or gaining immersive clinical experience abroad with Go Elective, you can build the foundation for a strong, competitive PA school application—no certification required.

Article Details

Categories

Recent Articles , Pre-health, Medical Electives,

Author: Go-Elective Abroad

Date Published: Jun 15, 2025