Patient Care Experience for PA School in 2025 | Hours, Examples & Tips

If you’re planning to apply to Physician Assistant (PA) school, one of the most important parts of your application is patient care experience (PCE). PA programs want to know you’ve had meaningful, hands-on interactions with patients in healthcare settings.

This guide will walk you through the requirements, examples of direct and indirect PCE, how many hours you’ll likely need, and what to include on your application. By the end, you’ll know exactly how to approach this part of your PA school preparation.

Why Patient Care Experience Matters

Patient care experience is where classroom knowledge meets real-world healthcare. It shows PA admissions committees that you’ve worked with patients, understand the realities of healthcare delivery, and are committed to the profession.

PCE is not only a requirement but also a valuable preparation tool. It builds your confidence, gives you practical stories to share in interviews, and helps confirm that the PA path is the right fit for you.

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Typical Requirements for PA School

Every PA program sets its own minimum PCE hours, but most fall between 500 and 2,000 hours. Here’s what you can expect:

i. Entry-level programs: 

Some schools have no minimum, but still prefer applicants with experience.

ii. Competitive programs: 

Most top PA schools expect at least 1,000 hours of direct patient care.

iii. High-end programs: 

A few schools, like Emory and the University of Washington, look for closer to 2,000 hours.

Along with PCE, schools require prerequisite coursework (anatomy, physiology, microbiology, chemistry, psychology, statistics) and strong academic performance.

Examples of Patient Care Experience

Direct Patient Care (Preferred by Most Schools):

1. Medical assistant
2. EMT or paramedic
3. CNA or LPN
4. Registered nurse
5. Surgical technician
6. Phlebotomist
7. Physical therapy assistant
   
   

Indirect Patient Care (Often Accepted but Less Competitive):

• Medical scribe
• Lab technician
• Radiology tech
• Health educator
• Volunteer roles in clinical settings
• Shadowing (good exposure but not always counted as PCE hours)

What Doesn’t Count as PCE

Not all healthcare-related jobs qualify. Admissions committees usually don’t count:

1. Administrative roles (reception, billing, scheduling)
2. Research jobs without patient interaction
3. Retail pharmacy work
4. IT or sales roles in healthcare companies
5. General volunteer work without patient contact

Reporting PCE on CASPA

When you apply through CASPA, you’ll categorize each role (e.g., patient care experience, healthcare experience, volunteer) and enter details such as:

• Organization and supervisor info
• Dates and weekly hours
• Total hours earned
• Clear, specific descriptions of responsibilities and skills

Use this section to highlight direct patient care tasks. Taking vitals, assisting with procedures, administering medications. Not just general duties.

Patient Care Experience Requirements by Program

Here’s a quick look at PCE expectations from some well-known PA schools:

FAQs: Patient Care Experience for PA School

#1. What are the best types of PCE for PA school?

Direct, hands-on care such as EMT, CNA, RN, or medical assistant roles are the strongest and most widely accepted.

#2. How many hours of PCE do I need?

It depends on the program. Most require 500–2,000 hours, though some schools have no set minimum.

#3. Is 1,000 hours enough?

Yes—1,000 hours is considered competitive at many programs, though top schools may expect more.

#4. Does shadowing count as PCE?

Shadowing is valuable exposure, but many programs classify it as “healthcare experience” rather than direct PCE.

#5. Can volunteer work count?

Yes, if it involves direct patient interaction. For example, volunteering at a clinic assisting patients may count, but fundraising or office work usually does not.

Final Thoughts

Patient care experience is a cornerstone of PA school admissions. Beyond meeting hour requirements, it prepares you for the realities of clinical work, strengthens your application, and gives you the confidence to succeed in PA training.

If you’re looking to stand out even more, consider gaining international clinical exposure. At Go Elective, we offer pre-PA internships and physician assistant internships in Kenya and Tanzania. These programs give you direct patient care experience while also building cultural competence. An important skill for today’s healthcare professionals.

Article Details

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Recent Articles , Pre-health, PA Internships,

Author: Go-Elective Abroad

Date Published: Sep 19, 2025