Arizona

How to Get Patient Care Hours in Arizona

Arizona PA programs require 2,000–3,000+ patient care hours. Here is the fastest and most effective way to build them — and how to document them correctly for CASPA.

How Many Hours Do Arizona PA Programs Require?

Program	Minimum Required	Competitive Average
A.T. Still University PA	3,000+	4,000+
Midwestern University PA (Glendale)	2,000+	3,000+
Northern Arizona University PA	2,000+	3,000+
Arizona School of Health Sciences PA	2,000+	3,000+

Dr. Tomei's Perspective

Arizona PA programs require 2,000–3,000+ patient care hours — A.T. Still University expects 3,000+ from competitive applicants. Start building hours as early as possible. A student who starts as a CNA or EMT freshman year will have 3,000+ hours by the time they apply junior year. A student who starts senior year will not.

Best Patient Care Roles for Arizona Pre-PA Students

Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)

4–8 weeks to certify80–160 hours/month

CNA is the fastest path to high-volume patient care hours in Arizona. Arizona has a streamlined CNA certification process through the Arizona Department of Aging and Disability Services. CNAs work directly with patients in hospitals, nursing homes, and home health settings. Most Arizona PA programs count CNA hours as direct patient care.

Arizona Tip: Arizona CNA programs are available at community colleges (Phoenix College, Pima Community College, Mesa Community College, Chandler-Gilbert Community College) and typically take 4–8 weeks. The Arizona Nurse Aide Registry maintains certification records.

Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)

3–6 months to certify48–96 hours/month

EMT certification provides some of the highest-quality patient care hours available to pre-PA students. Direct patient contact, real emergencies, and hands-on clinical skills. Arizona has a robust EMS system with opportunities in urban, suburban, and rural settings.

Arizona Tip: Arizona EMT certification is governed by the Arizona Department of Health Services. Programs available at community colleges and private EMS training centers. Phoenix Fire Department EMS, Tucson Fire Department EMS, and Rural Metro Fire all hire EMTs.

Medical Assistant (MA)

9–12 months to certify160 hours/month (full-time)

Medical assistant roles at Arizona health systems provide consistent, high-volume patient care hours. MAs take vitals, assist with procedures, administer medications, and work directly with patients under physician supervision. Widely available at Banner Health, Dignity Health, and private practices.

Arizona Tip: Arizona does not require MA certification by law, but most employers prefer certified MAs (CMA or RMA). Programs available at community colleges and vocational schools. Banner Health and Dignity Health both hire MAs across the Phoenix and Tucson metro areas.

Phlebotomist

4–8 weeks to certify80–160 hours/month

Phlebotomy provides direct patient contact and is widely available at Arizona hospital systems and reference labs. Most Arizona PA programs count phlebotomy as direct patient care. Good option for students who want to build hours quickly while in school.

Arizona Tip: Arizona does not require phlebotomy certification by law, but certification (CPT) is preferred by employers. Programs available at community colleges. LabCorp, Quest Diagnostics, and major Arizona health systems all hire phlebotomists.

Medical Scribe

No certification required80–160 hours/month

Medical scribing is widely available in Arizona through ScribeAmerica, Aquity Solutions, and directly through major health systems. Most Arizona PA programs count scribing as direct patient care. Scribing also provides exposure to physician decision-making and clinical documentation that is valuable for PA school interviews.

Arizona Tip: The Phoenix and Tucson healthcare markets are among the fastest-growing in the country, with strong scribing demand across multiple specialties. Banner Health, Valleywise Health, and Tucson Medical Center all use scribes.

Home Health Aide

75 hours of training required in Arizona80–160 hours/month

Home health aide work provides direct patient care in home settings. Arizona has a large home health industry given its aging population. Most Arizona PA programs count home health aide hours as direct patient care.

Arizona Tip: Arizona requires 75 hours of training for home health aides. Programs available through home health agencies and community colleges. Large Arizona home health agencies include Encompass Health, Kindred at Home, and LHC Group.

Free Clinic Volunteer

No certification required16–32 hours/month

Volunteering at free clinics in Arizona provides meaningful patient care hours and demonstrates commitment to underserved medicine — a value shared by most Arizona PA programs. Clinica Adelante, Circle the City, and Maricopa Integrated Health System free clinics all have volunteer programs.

Arizona Tip: Free clinic volunteering is particularly valued by A.T. Still University, Northern Arizona University, and Midwestern University PA programs, which have explicit missions around primary and underserved care.

How to Document Patient Care Hours in CASPA

Log every patient care experience in CASPA separately — do not combine different roles into one entry.

Record the organization name, supervisor name and contact, start/end dates, and total hours for each role.

CASPA distinguishes between "direct patient care" and "healthcare experience" — make sure you categorize correctly.

Arizona PA programs generally require direct patient care hours, not just healthcare experience. Scribing and volunteering at free clinics typically count as direct patient care.

Get a letter from your supervisor confirming your hours — some Arizona programs require verification.

Do not inflate hours. PA program admissions committees verify, and inconsistencies will disqualify your application.

Quality matters as much as quantity. Be prepared to discuss what you learned from each experience in your personal statement and interviews.

Need Help Building Your Patient Care Profile?

Patient care hours are only as valuable as how you write about them. Dr. Tomei can help you build a patient care narrative that Arizona PA programs find compelling.

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