Does phlebotomy count as patient care experience?
At the programs we checked that list it, yes. CASPA names phlebotomist as an example of patient care experience, and UNC Chapel Hill, Albany Medical College and UW MEDEX all list phlebotomist among the jobs they accept. As with any job, the program decides, and paid-only rules and training-hour rules still apply.
What CASPA says
CASPA's Patient Care Experience is work where you are "directly responsible for a patient's care." Its examples include "actively working on patients as a nurse, paramedic, EMT, CNA, phlebotomist, physical therapist, dental hygienist, etc." CASPA also says each program's definitions vary, so the category you choose doesn't decide whether a program counts the hours.
Four programs, side by side
| Program | Phlebotomist on its list? | Paid only? | Training hours? |
|---|---|---|---|
| UNC Chapel Hill Jan 2027 entry cycle | Yes | Yes, paid only | Don't count |
| Albany Medical College page checked Oct 2026 | Yes | No, paid or volunteer in a licensed health care setting | Don't count |
| UW MEDEX Northwest 2026–27 | Yes | Yes, paid only | Don't count |
| Duke 2026–27 | Not named as its own job | Not stated | Don't count |
Duke's list of accepted roles mentions phlebotomy only as a duty of a "Clinical research assistant with direct care responsibilities." If you're a phlebotomist applying to Duke, ask the program. Examples, not a ranking. UNC's (Aug 1, 2026), UW MEDEX's (Oct 1, 2026) and Albany's (Oct 1) deadlines have passed, so check each page again when your cycle's requirements post.
What Albany asks you to check
Albany asks applicants to check whether their experience includes skills like taking vitals, getting a medical history and "Draw blood or other diagnostic tests." Albany's list of direct patient care jobs also includes "Phlebotomist."
If you work as a phlebotomist, do this
- Count from your first paid (or, where allowed, volunteer) shift. Hours from your phlebotomy course or clinical training don't count at the four programs above.
- Describe the patient contact in your CASPA job description: how many patients a shift, what you check before a draw, what you do when a patient feels faint.
- Check each program's job list on its own admissions page, and note the cycle and the date you checked.
Free: the Patient Care Hours Starter Kit. A 3-step check for whether a job counts at your schools, CASPA's categories on one page, and a simple hours log. Built from the same program pages as this guide.
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Does phlebotomy count as patient care experience for PA school?
CASPA lists phlebotomist as an example of patient care experience, and UNC Chapel Hill, Albany Medical College and UW MEDEX list phlebotomist among accepted jobs. Each program decides, and paid-only and training-hour rules still apply.
Do phlebotomy training hours count?
Not at UNC Chapel Hill, Albany Medical College, UW MEDEX or Duke, which all exclude experience gained in training.
Sources (all opened October 2026)
- CASPA Applicant Help Center: Experiences: https://help.liaisonedu.com/CASPA_Applicant_Help_Center/Filling_Out_Your_CASPA_Application/CASPA_Supporting_Information/2_Experiences
- UNC Chapel Hill PA Program: FAQ: https://www.med.unc.edu/healthsciences/unc-pa/admissions/frequently-asked-questions
- Albany Medical College PA Program: Admissions: https://www.amc.edu/admissions/pa-program-admissions
- UW MEDEX Northwest: Clinical experience prerequisites (2026–27): https://familymedicine.uw.edu/medex/applicants/clinical-prerequisites
- Duke PA Program: Admissions (2026–27): https://medschool.duke.edu/education/health-professions-education-programs/physician-assistant-program/admissions