What you can expect

As Emergency Medicine Research volunteers, you are afforded the opportunity to learn basic methodologies in clinical research, interact with patients, and perform research study procedures. Assignments may include:

• Screening the emergency department for patients that meet study enrollment criteria.
• Facilitating patient understanding of study details with ED patients.
• Collecting biometric and survey data for clinical studies.
• Entering study data into databases for analysis.

Expectations and Benefits

• One on one patient interactions
• Observe procedural sedation or cardioversion cases
• Solid introduction to clinical research and basic methodology
• Secure letters of recommendations from the research directors for medical school and other graduate-level programs (Please read the EMReV Handbook Manual)
• Attend lectures on various emergency medicine-related topics by experienced faculty physicians such as: Emergency Airway Management, Informed Consent and Research Ethics, Sim Center Lab Experiences, and more!
• Attend our conferences
• Shadow opportunities available upon request

Requirements

The EMReV program runs year-round with fall, spring, and summer terms. Students are required to volunteer for a total of 6 hours per week, spread between two different shifts. When participating in the program, EMReVs are also expected to work one to two shifts up to midnight every month.

To apply, applicants must submit complete the application form along with two academic or professional letters of recommendation as well as an updated resume to Emergency.Medicine@dal.ca.

EMREV Application Form (Download & Save)

Qualifications

• Applicants must be able to volunteer the minimum number of hours every week, as well as one or two shifts up to midnight every month.
• Applicants must be 18 years old by the time of the application deadline.
• Applicants should express an interest in medicine and academic research.
• Prior research experience is beneficial, but not required.
• Applicants must be professional and possess good written and verbal communication skill

Selection Procedure

Applications are evaluated by the Research Manager & Director using a rubric that incorporates the applicant’s applicable skills, professionalism, and letters of recommendation.

Accepted applicants must complete a background check and health screening.

Training

All EMReVs must attend three orientation sessions at the beginning of each project. The Research Coordinator continues to train, mentor, and lead new and returning EMReVs.

Important Notes for Accepted EMReVs

We do require a background check for all accepted EMReVs. The police and vulnerable sector check for additional identity verification. If, for whatever reason, you are not able to provide consent for this, we ask that you do not apply.

The NSH Occupational Health & Wellness department requires all employees and volunteers to complete a comprehensive health screening process which requires proof of immunity via vaccinations for Covid-19, MMR, varicella (chicken pox), TB, and Hep B. If you are found not to be immune to Hep B, you will have to complete a booster. If you are found to have a latent infection of TB, you will be asked to continue on a prophylactic regimen to ensure you do not become contagious and harm patients within the ED. Keep in mind that is a time-consuming process. We ask that you get started on this as soon as you are accepted.

EMReVs must be cleared to work with patients in the ED before beginning.