How to Get Patient Care Hours in Colorado
Colorado 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 Colorado PA Programs Require?
| Program | Minimum Required | Competitive Average |
|---|---|---|
| University of Colorado PA | 3,000+ | 4,000+ |
| Red Rocks Community College PA | 2,000+ | 3,000+ |
| Regis University PA | 3,000+ | 3,500+ |
Dr. Tomei's Perspective
Best Patient Care Roles for Colorado Pre-PA Students
Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)
CNA is the fastest path to high-volume patient care hours in Colorado. Colorado has a streamlined CNA certification process through the Colorado Department of Aging and Disability Services. CNAs work directly with patients in hospitals, nursing homes, and home health settings. Most Colorado PA programs count CNA hours as direct patient care.
Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)
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. Colorado has a robust EMS system with opportunities in urban, suburban, and rural settings.
Medical Assistant (MA)
Medical assistant roles at Colorado 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 UCHealth, SCL Health, and private practices.
Phlebotomist
Phlebotomy provides direct patient contact and is widely available at Colorado hospital systems and reference labs. Most Colorado PA programs count phlebotomy as direct patient care. Good option for students who want to build hours quickly while in school.
Medical Scribe
Medical scribing is widely available in Colorado through ScribeAmerica, Aquity Solutions, and directly through major health systems. Most Colorado 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.
Home Health Aide
Home health aide work provides direct patient care in home settings. Colorado has a large home health industry given its aging population. Most Colorado PA programs count home health aide hours as direct patient care.
Free Clinic Volunteer
Volunteering at free clinics in Colorado provides meaningful patient care hours and demonstrates commitment to underserved medicine — a value shared by most Colorado PA programs. Colorado Springs Free Clinic, Denver Area Community Services, and CommuniCare Health Centers all have volunteer programs.
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.
Colorado 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 Colorado 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 Colorado PA programs find compelling.
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