Penn MERT

HOW TO Join MERT

There are a variety of paths those interested in joining MERT can take in order to become a member and we are here to help along the way.

Requirements of members

24 hours per month on shift

All members are required to take a total of 24 hours of shifts each month. Part of these 24 hours include a minimum of one athletic shift per semester.

MCI, NSO, and Fling

In addition to weekly GBMs, MERT also holds special training events throughout the school year to prepare members to better handle more complicated events.

Weekly GBMs

Each week MERT holds general body meetings which are meant to maintain members’ competency in a variety of skills ranging from cardiac arrest to trauma.

Maintenance of certifications

Like any EMS organization, MERT members must do continuing education in order to keep both state and national EMT licenses and CPR certification.

How to join mert

CERTIFY THROUGH MERT

If you are a freshman or sophomore and would like to obtain your certification, MERT holds an EMT class held through the Perelman School of Medicine during the spring semester. More information about applications for the Spring 2027 EMT class will be released in August. Applications for the Spring 2026 EMT class are closed.

ALREADY EMT CERTIFIED

If you have a current EMT certification from another state/NREMT, you are eligible to apply for MERT through our reciprocity pathway. If your license is not from Pennsylvania, you will also need to complete the reciprocity process to transfer your license, which you will work on with MERT after acceptance to our organization.

To receive the application, please complete the 2026 MERT Interest Form. You will be contacted by email once the application is released.

A virtual information session for the reciprocity cohort will be held on Thursday, January 29, from 7:00-8:00 PM on Zoom. Please be sure to fill out the 2026 MERT Interest Form to receive the Zoom link.

Applications will be released at 9:00 AM on Friday, January 30th, and will be due at 11:59 PM on Friday, February 13th. Late applications will not be accepted.

We will reach out to schedule coffee chats and send out interview invites to selected applicants after the application deadline. Coffee chats with members of the MERT Board will occur between Thursday, February 19th, and Saturday, February 28th. Interviews are scheduled to be on Sunday, March 1st. Final decisions will be released within a few days of interviews.

CERTIFY EXTERNALLY

If the timing of MERT’s EMT class does not fit with your schedule, there are many classes offered by other organizations that may work for you.

To receive email updates from MERT about applications, please follow us on Instagram (@pennmert).

Have a question? Need Help? Reach Out!

There are a variety of reasons and lists of paperwork which make the process confusing and difficult. Reach out and we can offer our expertise!