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RC MERT (River Campus Medical Emergency Response Team)

Join RC MERT

The 2024-2025 MERT Application is now closed! Please check back in Fall 2025 for the 2025-2026 application cycle! 

 For more information about our application process and more about mert please read below!

MERT is always looking for passionate and dedicated new members who are interested in obtaining medical and leadership skills. MERT accepts new members to its training program every fall semester. Prospective applicants should note that MERT does not hold a spring application cycle. Students with any career goal, major, and medical experience are encouraged to apply. Prior medical experience is NOT required to apply for membership. MERT uses an application process to choose its new members.

Applications consist of:

  • A written application
  • Short personal statements
  • An interview (for competitive applicants)

After acceptance, new members will go through the New Member Orientation Program (NMOP) led by the Director of Training and the Assistant Director of Training. NMOP is a six-week program that trains members in a variety of practical skills in EMS and prepares them to work with a crew as an 803. NMOP is a required component of new membership and serves to introduce new members to MERT’s operations and procedures. Please note that NMOP does not certify a member as an EMT; the EMT class (see below) is a separate course that members will take to become EMT-certified. NMOP takes place over the weeks following the conclusion of the application process, generally October through November.

All members have the opportunity to enroll in a New York State EMT course offered through Monroe Ambulance starting in the fall of each year. The EMT class is generally held on campus Tuesday and Thursday nights from 6:00-10:00 PM. The class will run from October through March. An 803 with an EMT certification has the opportunity to apply to become a Crew Chief Trainee (802) and, after ample training, can become a Crew Chief (801).

In addition to learning valuable medical skills, members of MERT have the opportunity to take on leadership roles in various committees and to participate in the organization’s outreach programs on- and off-campus.

 

RC MERT Application Process:

Our application process takes place only in the fall semester! Here is the breakdown of our application process: 

  1. Visit the RC MERT Website and our Instagram to learn more about our organization and what we do (Feel free to also visit our table during the Fall Semester Activities Fair)
  2. Attend One General Interest Meeting (DATE TBD):

     – During this meeting you will get to learn more about MERT

  1. Attend One Meet and Greet (DATE TBD):

     – There will be three Meet and Greets before the application deadline and applicants will be expected to attend at least one

     – During the meet and greet you will get the chance to be able to talk to current members and ask your questions

  1. Round 1 – Paper application (RELEASE & DUE DATE TBD) : 

     – Application will be able to found on Instagram or the Website once released

  1. Round 2 – Interview:

     – Competitive applications will be selected for an interview 

If selected you will be a new member of MERT. Then you will start the New Member Orientation Program (all new members) and the EMT class (new members not EMT certified). 

 

***DISCLAIMER: RC MERT does NOT permit the use of AI in our written application, or any subsequent presentations or materials. All applications will be run through AI-detection software and will be read by committee members, and we will not consider applications written with AI/ChatGPT.***

 

Time Commitments for MERT: 

⁃ EMT class: Every Tuesday and Thursday from 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM

⁃ New Member Orientation Program: From past history, it will be every Sunday evening for the fall semester

⁃ General Member Meeting: Sundays during the evening

⁃ Shifts: 8:00 PM – 7:00 AM (Usually 1-2 shifts per month depending on rank) 

FAQ: 

What does MERT do?

We are a student-run, non-transport volunteer EMS agency recognized by the NYS DOH and we provide free, confidential, and professional medical care to the River Campus community.

Is the EMT class free?

Yes, MERT covers the cost of your EMT class!

Do I have to be an EMT to apply to MERT?

No, every member of RC MERT is an EMT-B or in the process of becoming an EMT-B. So anyone is able to apply to MERT regardless if they do have a certification or not. 

If I already created my schedule in the summer and I have an academic class during EMT class, what would happen?

When applying to MERT, you fill out a form indicating that you will have the allotted time to take the EMT course. Therefore, you would be expected to move any class times that may conflict with the EMT class. You would not be allowed to do both at the same time. 

I obtained a certification in a different state, can I use it with MERT?

You will still be able to apply to MERT, however if you get your certification from a different state you would be required to seek reciprocity. 

Can I do anything in the summer to prepare to apply for MERT?

Continue to do research on our organization through the website or social media! You do not need to have medical experience in order to apply. 

What are you looking for in an applicant?

MERT assesses applicants on five qualities: empathy, passion, dedication, perseverance, and teamwork!

Do I have to be pre-health in order to apply to MERT?


Students with any career goal, major, and medical experience are encouraged to apply. Prior medical experience is NOT required to apply for membership. We have students in the organization that range from computer science, english, public health and more. 

Who selects the applicants?

The executive board alongside a selection committee which consist of current members in MERT reads through the applications and conducts interview to select new members.

Am I able to apply if I a junior or senior or as a transfer students?

Any academic year or transfer student would be able to apply to MERT, however we would like to you inform you that, due to training and longevity of our organization, it is often hard to be selected as a junior or senior. Special considerations are given to Take 5 students and more!  

Have more questions: 

For more information about the application process, please feel free to reach out to our membership officer: Trisha (rcmert_membership@ur.rochester.edu)! (Please be patient during this time, as there would be influx of emails, and our membership officer will be trying her best to reply back to each and every one of you)! In addition, you may also visit our table during the U of R Fall Semester Activities Fair!