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Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between PCE & HCE? 

When applying to Physician Assistant (PA) programs, it's important to understand the difference between Patient Care Experience (PCE) and Healthcare Experience (HCE), as many programs distinguish between the two and may have specific requirements for each.​

Patient Care Experience (PCE)

  • Definition: PCE involves direct, hands-on interaction with patients where you are actively involved in their care.

  • Examples:

    • Taking vitals

    • Administering medication or treatments

    • Drawing blood

    • Performing diagnostic tests

    • Assisting with medical procedures

  • Roles That Count: Medical assistant, EMT/paramedic, CNA (certified nursing assistant), phlebotomist, physical therapy aide, or scribe (in some cases).

  • Importance: PCE is highly valued by PA schools because it demonstrates your ability to work closely with patients, understand their needs, and perform clinical tasks.

  • Hours Requirement: Many PA programs require or recommend a minimum number of PCE hours, often ranging from 500 to 2,000​

Healthcare Experience (HCE)

  • Definition: HCE includes working in a healthcare-related setting but without directly participating in patient care.

  • Examples:

    • Scheduling patient appointments

    • Managing medical records

    • Working as a front desk staff in a clinic

    • Performing non-clinical roles in hospitals or healthcare organization

  • Roles That Count: Medical receptionist, healthcare administrator, or billing specialist.

  • Importance: PCE is highly valued by PA schools because it demonstrates your ability to work closely with patients, understand their needs, and perform clinical tasks.

  • Hours Requirement: While HCE demonstrates familiarity with the healthcare system, it is generally considered less critical than PCE for PA applications.

Pre-PA Club Questions:

  1. Do I need to be a pre-health major to join the club? No! We welcome students from all majors and backgrounds. While many members are in science-related fields, anyone interested in the PA profession can benefit from our resources, events, and community.

  2. What kinds of events does the club host? Events include PA guest speaker panels, graduate program info sessions, application and GRE workshops, volunteer opportunities, and social mixers. These are designed to help members explore the PA career path while connecting with peers.

  3. Does the club help with finding clinical or shadowing opportunities? Yes. We regularly share job postings, volunteer opportunities, and shadowing connections through our newsletter, GroupMe, and guest speakers. While the club does not directly place members, we provide tools and networks to help you get started.

  4. Do I need to interview or apply to be part of the Pre-PA Club? No application or interview is required. Membership is non-competitive and open year-round. Just fill out the google form on our apply page!

  5. How can I stay updated on club activities? Follow the club on Instagram (@prepaclubatucla), join our GroupMe, check our Linktree for updates, email us (uclaprepa@gmail.com), or join our newsletter to stay in the loop.

  6. When are new members accepted? We accept members all year round! Just fill out the google form on our apply page.

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