EMS Outreach & Engagement Internship

College Student EMT – Mercer Council EMS Outreach & Engagement

Position Type: Paid Per Diem
Hours: Approximately 5–10 hours per week
Schedule: Flexible; hours and days are determined collaboratively between the employee and agency
Location: Mercer County, NJ
Reports To: OORP Patient Navigator and Agency staff

Position Summary

We are seeking a college student EMT to join our team in a flexible, paid per diem role focused on outreach and engagement with EMS providers and other first responders throughout Mercer County.

This position is an excellent opportunity for an EMT who wants to use their firsthand understanding of the EMS community to help strengthen connections between first responders and our Opioid Overdose Recovery Program (OORP).

The primary goal of this role is to increase awareness and engagement among first responders so they feel comfortable and confident contacting our hotline to request substance use disorder interventions for individuals who may benefit from support and treatment.

The successful candidate will serve as an ambassador to the EMS and first responder community, building relationships, sharing information about OORP services, and identifying effective ways to reach and engage local providers.

Key Responsibilities

EMS & First Responder Outreach

• Conduct outreach to EMS agencies and other first responders throughout Mercer County to increase awareness of OORP services.
• Build and maintain positive relationships with EMTs, paramedics, EMS leadership, and other first responders.
• Reach out to agencies to introduce OORP and, when appropriate, coordinate meetings or presentations.
• Identify opportunities to connect with first responders through agency visits, meetings, trainings, community events, and other activities.
• Represent the agency professionally and serve as a knowledgeable point of contact for first responders.

Communications & Social Media

• Develop engaging outreach materials and social media content designed to appeal to EMTs and other first responders.
• Help identify communication strategies and messaging that resonate with the EMS community.
• Share relevant information about OORP services, including how and when first responders can access the program’s hotline.
• Provide feedback to the team about questions, concerns, and themes identified during outreach.

Community Events & Tabling

• Participate in outreach events, conferences, trainings, and other opportunities where EMS providers and first responders are present.
• Staff informational tables and engage directly with attendees.
• Help prepare outreach materials and ensure that information about OORP is accurate, accessible, and engaging.

Documentation & Accountability

• Maintain accurate records of outreach activities, contacts, meetings, events, and other engagement efforts.
• Document outreach activities in accordance with agency expectations and established processes.
• Communicate regularly with the team regarding completed outreach and progress toward engagement goals.
• Demonstrate consistent follow-through and accountability for assigned outreach activities.

Team Collaboration

• Communicate frequently with the team regarding availability, scheduling, outreach needs, and questions.
• Share information and insights learned through interactions with EMS agencies and first responders.
• Be receptive to feedback and willing to learn and adapt outreach strategies.
• Work collaboratively with team members to identify new opportunities for engagement.

Required Skills & Qualifications

• Current EMT certification and experience working or volunteering as an EMT.
• Strong understanding of the EMS landscape and the day-to-day work of EMTs.
• Strong interpersonal and verbal communication skills with the ability to engage comfortably with first responders.
• Excellent written communication skills.
• Highly organized and detail-oriented.
• Process-oriented with the ability to follow established procedures and complete documentation consistently.
• Willingness and ability to learn about the Opioid Overdose Recovery Program (OORP) and communicate its services accurately.
• Strong documentation and record-keeping skills.
• Understanding of the importance of documenting outreach activities and demonstrating completion of assigned work.
• Ability to work independently while remaining connected to and communicative with the team.
• Team-oriented approach and willingness to share information, ask questions, and communicate needs.
• Professionalism and comfort representing the agency in community and EMS settings.
• Ability to manage a flexible schedule and consistently commit approximately 5–10 hours per week.

Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate is an EMT who understands the culture and demands of EMS and is comfortable talking with other EMTs, paramedics, and first responders. They are personable, organized, dependable, and able to build relationships while communicating important information clearly.

This role is particularly well suited for a college student EMT who wants to gain experience in community outreach, public health, substance use disorder services, and program engagement while remaining actively connected to the EMS community.

What Success Looks Like

Success in this position means building meaningful relationships with EMS agencies and first responders throughout Mercer County, increasing awareness of OORP services, and helping create a culture in which first responders know when, why, and how to contact the OORP hotline for substance use disorder interventions.

The position will also help the agency better understand the needs, questions, and perspectives of the EMS community so that outreach efforts can continually improve.