Membership and Certification
What are the different types of membership?
There are three major types of membership: EMT, shadow, and auxiliary. Responding members (EMTs) are those that respond to emergency medical calls on campus. Shadows are first aid certified, serve on duty crews, and accompany EMTs on their calls, but are not certified as EMTs. Auxiliary members are those who attend TCNJ EMS meetings, trainings, and other events hosted by the squad, but do not serve on duty crews. For more information about membership, please visit our Membership Eligibility and Our Members pages.
Are members paid or volunteer?
Our members are unpaid volunteers dedicated to servicing the TCNJ community. However, there is a student employment opportunity available for responding members through club sports and some paid standby opportunities.
Are all members pre-med?
No, our members study various disciplines and have diverse professional goals. Just to name a few, past majors include Nursing, Biology, Chemistry, Psychology, iSTEM, Urban Education, Business, Criminology, Computer Science, English, History, and Health & Exercise Science. To learn more about our current members, please visit the Our Members page.
How can I become certified as an EMT or in First Aid and/or CPR?
Please visit our class schedule page to see what classes we are offering.
I’m an out-of-state EMT. Can I still join TCNJ EMS? Do I need to apply for reciprocity?
We accept National Registry EMT (NREMT) certifications when they are accompanied with NJ EMT certifications. All members that ride with our squad as EMTs are required to have their NJ EMT certification. If you have an out-of-state EMT certification you are still welcome to apply to our squad as a shadow while completing the NJ EMT reciprocity process. For more information, please email us at tcnjems@tcnj.edu.
What is being on shift like?
TCNJ EMS operates out of our Decker Hall response room, providing service from 8:00 PM to 7:00 AM, Monday through Saturday. This dedicated space is staffed by a minimum of two EMTs and a shadow for your safety. Responders have the flexibility to work on homework, unwind, or rest in bunk beds provided within the room. Additionally, our crews can take breaks and leave the response room together until 11:00 PM to enjoy a meal at TDubs or study at the library, ensuring a balanced and productive work environment.
Does TCNJ offer EMT classes?
TCNJ EMS does not offer EMT certification classes directly to students; instead, EMT applicants are responsible for obtaining their NJ-EMT certification independently. However, TCNJ EMS offers valuable support to aspiring EMTs by providing supplementary resources to help them find affordable and high-quality EMT courses. Moreover, for our members, we offer complimentary CPR, First Aid, and Stop the Bleed certification classes, eliminating any additional costs associated with these essential certifications.
How can I ride for TCNJ EMS?
To become a shadow or EMT in TCNJ EMS, certain prerequisites must be met. Shadow applicants must hold a CPR certification and a first aid certification. For those aspiring to become EMTs, multiple additional certifications are necessary, including NJEMT, ICS- 100, ICS- 200, NIMS- 700, Hazmat Awareness, and Developmental Disabilities Awareness. Moreover, all applicants must ensure their vaccinations are up-to-date and undergo fit tests before they can join our crews on a shift.
How can I strengthen my application?
If applications are currently closed when you wish to apply, becoming an auxiliary member is an excellent strategy to enhance your future application. Being an auxiliary member entails attending our general body meetings and demonstrating your dedication to our organization. To further bolster your application, consider two key steps: (1) obtaining all the required certifications before applying, and (2) gaining prior healthcare experience, which will be valuable when you transition into a responder role within a crew.
What does a typical call look like?
Our crews of EMTs and Shadows respond to wide range of dispatches during our shifts. We will be accompanied by Campus Police to ensure the safety of the crew and patient. To travel to emergencies, our crews utilize our response vehicle equipped with emergency lights and additional BLS equipment. The crew chief will lead the call and provide care with the support and collaboration of the duty EMTs. Assessment and treatment is done by EMTs while shadows may either aid in documentation or simply observe, to the discretion of the crew chief.