Michigan

How to Get Patient Care Hours in Michigan

Michigan 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 Michigan PA Programs Require?

Program	Minimum Required	Competitive Average
Grand Valley State University PA	3,000+	4,000+
Wayne State University PA	3,000+	3,500+
University of Michigan-Flint PA	3,000+	3,500+
Western Michigan University PA	3,000+	3,500+
Central Michigan University PA	2,000+	3,000+
Eastern Michigan University PA	2,000+	3,000+

Dr. Tomei's Perspective

Michigan PA programs require 2,000–3,000+ patient care hours — Grand Valley State and Wayne State expect 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 Michigan 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 Michigan. Michigan has a streamlined CNA certification process through the Michigan Department of Aging and Disability Services. CNAs work directly with patients in hospitals, nursing homes, and home health settings. Most Michigan PA programs count CNA hours as direct patient care.

Michigan Tip: Michigan CNA programs are available at community colleges (Washtenaw Community College, Oakland Community College, Henry Ford College, Kalamazoo Valley Community College) and typically take 4–8 weeks. The Michigan 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. Michigan has a robust EMS system with opportunities in urban, suburban, and rural settings.

Michigan Tip: Michigan EMT certification is governed by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. Programs available at community colleges and private EMS training centers. Detroit EMS, Grand Rapids Fire Department EMS, and Huron Valley Ambulance all hire EMTs.

Medical Assistant (MA)

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

Medical assistant roles at Michigan 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 Henry Ford Health, Beaumont Health, and private practices.

Michigan Tip: Michigan does not require MA certification by law, but most employers prefer certified MAs (CMA or RMA). Programs available at community colleges and vocational schools. Henry Ford Health and Beaumont Health both hire MAs across the Detroit metro and statewide.

Phlebotomist

4–8 weeks to certify80–160 hours/month

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

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

Medical Scribe

No certification required80–160 hours/month

Medical scribing is widely available in Michigan through ScribeAmerica, Aquity Solutions, and directly through major health systems. Most Michigan 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.

Michigan Tip: The Detroit and Grand Rapids healthcare markets are among the strongest in the Midwest for scribing positions. Henry Ford Health, Spectrum Health, and University of Michigan Health all use scribes.

Home Health Aide

75 hours of training required in Michigan80–160 hours/month

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

Michigan Tip: Michigan requires 75 hours of training for home health aides. Programs available through home health agencies and community colleges. Large Michigan 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 Michigan provides meaningful patient care hours and demonstrates commitment to underserved medicine — a value shared by most Michigan PA programs. Covenant Community Care, Detroit Health Department clinics, and the University of Michigan Student-Run Free Clinic all have volunteer programs.

Michigan Tip: Free clinic volunteering is particularly valued by Wayne State, University of Michigan-Flint, and Central Michigan PA programs, which have explicit missions around urban and underserved community 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.

Michigan 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 Michigan 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 Michigan PA programs find compelling.

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