{"id":17,"date":"2014-07-09T14:55:31","date_gmt":"2014-07-09T18:55:31","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/ccs-cms1a.carleton.ca\/cusert\/?page_id=17"},"modified":"2026-02-02T09:39:27","modified_gmt":"2026-02-02T14:39:27","slug":"join-cusert","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/cusert\/join-cusert\/","title":{"rendered":"Join CUSERT"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<section class=\"w-screen px-6 cu-section cu-section--white ml-offset-center md:px-8 lg:px-14\">\n    <div class=\"space-y-6 cu-max-w-child-max  md:space-y-10 cu-prose-first-last\">\n\n        \n                    \n                    \n            \n    <div class=\"cu-wideimage relative flex items-center justify-center mx-auto px-8 overflow-hidden md:px-16 rounded-xl not-prose  my-6 md:my-12 first:mt-0 bg-opacity-50 bg-cover bg-cu-black-50 py-24 md:py-28 lg:py-36 xl:py-48\" style=\"background-image: url(https:\/\/carleton.ca\/cusert\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/72\/2026\/02\/IMG_1789-768x512.jpg); background-position: 68% 26%;\">\n\n                    <div class=\"absolute top-0 w-full h-screen\" style=\"background-color:rgba(0,0,0,0.600);\"><\/div>\n        \n        <div class=\"relative z-[2] max-w-4xl w-full flex flex-col items-center gap-2 cu-wideimage-image cu-zero-first-last\">\n            <header class=\"mx-auto mb-6 text-center text-white cu-pageheader cu-component-updated cu-pageheader--center md:mb-12\">\n\n                                    <h1 class=\"cu-prose-first-last font-semibold mb-2 text-3xl md:text-4xl lg:text-5xl lg:leading-[3.5rem] cu-pageheader--center text-center mx-auto after:left-px\">\n                        Join CUSERT\n                    <\/h1>\n                \n                            <\/header>\n        <\/div>\n\n            <\/div>\n\n    \n\n    <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"become-a-cusert-responder\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Become a CUSERT Responder!<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<section class=\"w-screen px-6 cu-section cu-section--white ml-offset-center md:px-8 lg:px-14\">\n    <div class=\"space-y-6 cu-max-w-child-5xl  md:space-y-10 cu-prose-first-last\">\n\n        \n    <div class=\"grid gap-6 mx-auto my-6 cu-column md:gap-10 md:grid-cols-2 md:my-10 first:mt-0\">\n        \n<div class=\"cu-column-content\">\n    \n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignleft size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1365\" src=\"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/cusert\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/72\/2026\/02\/IMG_7659-1024x1365.jpg\" alt=\"CUSERT Responders Waving\" class=\"wp-image-1253\" srcset=\"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/cusert\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/72\/2026\/02\/IMG_7659-1024x1365.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/cusert\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/72\/2026\/02\/IMG_7659-512x683.jpg 512w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/cusert\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/72\/2026\/02\/IMG_7659-320x427.jpg 320w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/cusert\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/72\/2026\/02\/IMG_7659-768x1024.jpg 768w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/cusert\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/72\/2026\/02\/IMG_7659-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/cusert\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/72\/2026\/02\/IMG_7659-1536x2048.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/cusert\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/72\/2026\/02\/IMG_7659-scaled.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"cu-column-content\">\n    \n\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">Are you looking for a positive way to spend your free time that involves helping others in the 杏吧原创 community? Do you want to get to know other students, improve your first aid skills, and work directly with other members of Campus Safety Services? If so, CUSERT may be for you!&nbsp;<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">Every year, we look for dedicated and motivated students to join our team of volunteer medical first responders.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">We encourage people to apply from a wide variety of backgrounds. We strongly encourage you to apply if you believe in helping people and giving back to the 杏吧原创 community. We welcome applicants&#8217; unique contributions in terms of their culture, ethnicity, race, sex, gender identity and expression, nation of origin, age, colour, religion, disability, and sexual orientation. The sum of our individual differences on CUSERT allows us to provide better quality patient care, and having a diverse team allows us to work better together.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n    <\/div>\n\n\n    <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"flex p-4 rounded-md cu-alert cu-alert--error not-prose\">\n\n            <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" fill=\"none\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\" stroke-width=\"1.5\" stroke=\"currentColor\" aria-hidden=\"true\" data-slot=\"icon\" class=\"w-8 h-8\">\n            <path stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" d=\"M12 9v3.75m9-.75a9 9 0 1 1-18 0 9 9 0 0 1 18 0Zm-9 3.75h.008v.008H12v-.008Z\"><\/path>\n        <\/svg>\n    \n    <div class=\"w-full ml-3\">\n        <p class=\"text-base md:text-lg mt-0.5 font-semibold\">\n            Applications for the 2025-2026 academic year are now CLOSED!\n        <\/p>\n            <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"click-here-to-join-our-mailing-list-to-be-notified-when-our-applications-open\" class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><a href=\"https:\/\/form.jotform.com\/220939029436258\">Click Here<\/a> to join our mailing list to be notified when our applications open!<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"cu-section cu-section--white w-screen ml-offset-center px-4 md:px-6 lg:px-12\"><div class=\"cu-max-w-child-5xl space-y-6 md:space-y-10   cu-prose-first-last\"><figure class=\"cu-figure not-prose  max-w-full\"><div class=\"not-prose overflow-hidden bg-white shadow-lg max-w-full rounded-none\"><div class=\"relative none overflow-hidden w-full pb-[56.25%] border border-cu-black-100\"><iframe title=\"Videos Embed\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/xkATU9ru3wI\" class=\"cu-embed-iframe\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/div><\/div><\/figure><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"how-to-apply\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">How to Apply:<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong class=\"myprefix-text-bold\">Confirm that you are eligible<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p>The first step in becoming a CUSERT responder is determining if you meet the eligibility requirements. To join CUSERT, you must:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Be a current student at 杏吧原创 University with at least two academic terms (Fall 2025 and Winter 2026) remaining in your current degree program*<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Have a valid Standard First Aid and CPR\/AED Level C certification**<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Have a clean criminal record and the ability to obtain a Vulnerable Sector Check upon request and at your own expense***<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Have a desire to help others in their community and work in a team&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>*This includes students who will be starting at 杏吧原创 University in September 2025.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>**These certifications are not required to apply but must be provided by September 15, 2025, to be considered. Please contact us if you wish to submit your certificate after this date. If you don\u2019t have these certifications but plan on taking a Standard First Aid course before the application deadline, you are still welcome to apply.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>***Only successful applicants who are offered positions on our team will be asked to provide a Vulnerable Sector Check. CUSERT will provide successful applicants with a letter that may entitle the applicant to a reduced fee. For information on requirements and fees, please visit the&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ottawapolice.ca\/en\/reports-and-requests\/police-record-checks.aspx\">Ottawa Police Service<\/a>&nbsp;website or the website of the police service in your area.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol start=\"2\" class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong class=\"myprefix-text-bold\">Considerations for Potential Applicants:<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p><strong class=\"myprefix-text-bold\">Time <\/strong><strong class=\"myprefix-text-bold\">Commitment<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>CUSERT requires an ongoing commitment from its volunteers. Students from all programs and all years of study have successfully balanced both CUSERT and academic commitments. The minimum commitments are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Providing at least 24 hours of availability per week, including at least two weekend shifts or one overnight shift. You can expect to be assigned 12 hours of on-call shifts per week from your available hours<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Attending a 2-hour training session each week<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Completing periodic team-wide trainings, meetings, and evaluations (generally an extra 4 hours per month, typically on weekends)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>For new responders, in addition to these requirements, there are a few additional commitments as part of the First-Year Training Program:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Completion of a 40-hour Canadian Red Cross First Responder course&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Completion of a 12-hour Mental Health Commission of Canada Mental Health First Aid course&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Attending additional 1-hour weekly training sessions for part of the Fall 2025 term&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Other training as required. Dates will be provided well in advance<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong class=\"myprefix-text-bold\">Hours Of Service<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>CUSERT is a 24\/7 service. As such, we rely on our volunteers\u2019 flexibility to work various shifts, including weekends and overnights. Our time commitment requirements are the same for all members, so if you aren\u2019t available for a specific type of shift, you should be prepared to provide the required availability through other shift types. For example, if you are not available on weekends, you should be prepared to provide availability for overnights.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong class=\"myprefix-text-bold\">Physical Demands<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The work of a CUSERT first responder can be physically demanding and requires certain physical abilities. While the physical demands of the position are not constant, the nature of our on-call work means that responders can be called at any time. CUSERT responders must be able to:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Stand, sit, kneel, and lay down for an extended period of time<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Carry a large backpack weighing approximately 20 kg (45 lbs) long distances, over uneven terrain, and up and down multiple flights of stairs.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Work in a variety of conditions, including both indoors and outdoors in any weather<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Carry out the functions of their position at any time of day, including when woken up at night<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>CUSERT first responders must be physically able to obtain all their certifications. This means you must be able to do things like chest compressions for CPR, which can be physically exhausting.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong class=\"myprefix-text-bold\">Mental Wellbeing<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The job of a first responder can be very rewarding, but it can also impact your mental health and wellbeing. Potential applicants should be prepared to work in intense, fast-paced situations.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>CUSERT works to provide a robust network of resources to its members and actively works to build resiliency within our team. However, due to the nature of the work, being a CUSERT responder can be challenging. In this role, you could be called to respond to serious situations, including life-or-death emergencies. Applicants should consider how work on CUSERT could impact their mental wellness before applying.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol start=\"3\" class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Submit an Online Application<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Application Assessment<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p>Applicants invited to the next stage will be asked to complete an interview. The interview is approximately 30 minutes long and contains standard interview and scenario-based questions.  Please let us know at&nbsp;<a href=\"mailto:application@cusert.com\">applications@cusert.com<\/a>&nbsp;if you require any accommodations.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Note: SFA and CPR certifications are due to&nbsp;<\/strong><a href=\"mailto:applications@cusert.com\"><strong>applications@cusert.com&nbsp;<\/strong><\/a><strong>by September 15, 2025. Please contact us if you wish to submit your certificate after this date.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Note: If you are invited to this stage, you will be required to provide the contact information for a minimum of two professional\/academic references.&nbsp;<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol start=\"5\" class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong class=\"myprefix-text-bold\">Applicant Evaluation<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p>Following completion of the Assessment Stage, applicant files will be assessed by our recruitment team. Competitive applicants will be invited to our Initial Testing Weekend on September 20-21, 2025.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Note: If you cannot attend the Initial Testing Weekend, your application will no longer be considered<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol start=\"6\" class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong class=\"myprefix-text-bold\">Receive an Offer<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p>Successful applicants from the Evaluation Stage will be offered a position on CUSERT.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<section class=\"w-screen px-6 cu-section cu-section--white ml-offset-center md:px-8 lg:px-14\">\n    <div class=\"space-y-6 cu-max-w-child-5xl  md:space-y-10 cu-prose-first-last\">\n\n        \n    \n    <dl class=\"cu-description cu-component-updated\">\n        \n    <div class=\"grid pt-4 pb-3 border-b accordion border-cu-black-100 md:pt-6 md:pb-5 first:border-t\">\n        <dt class=\"font-semibold not-prose\">\n            <button class=\"flex items-center justify-between w-full text-left accordion__button\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"accordion-application-faqs\">\n                <span class=\"flex-1 ml-auto text-left break-words whitespace-normal cu-icon\">\n                    Application FAQs\n                <\/span>\n                <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" fill=\"none\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\" stroke-width=\"1.5\" stroke=\"currentColor\" aria-hidden=\"true\" data-slot=\"icon\" class=\"w-5 h-5 ml-auto transition-transform rotate-0 accordion__icon text-cu-black-500\">\n                    <path stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" d=\"M8.25 4.5l7.5 7.5-7.5 7.5\"><\/path>\n                <\/svg>\n            <\/button>\n        <\/dt>\n        <dd class=\"p-0 mt-0 cu-prose cu-prose-first-last accordion__content md:p-0 md:mt-0\" hidden=\"\" id=\"accordion-application-faqs\">\n            \n\n<p><strong>Do I need to be in a health-related program to join CUSERT?<\/strong><br>No, students from all programs are welcome to apply. CUSERT responders\u202fcome from a variety of programs, ranging from engineering to geography.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Do I have to pay for training?<\/strong><br>CUSERT will cover training costs for new responders. However, new responders must provide a minimum number of on-call volunteer hours within a specified period (as outlined in the responder contract), or the full amount of the course will be charged to their student account.<strong>&nbsp;<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>I will be starting school at 杏吧原创 in September 2024. Can I apply?<\/strong><br>Yes, new students are welcome to apply for CUSERT. CUSERT is a great way to meet new people and get involved in the 杏吧原创 community.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>What is the time commitment for CUSERT responders?<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>CUSERT responders must commit a minimum of 12 on-call hours a week and an additional 2 hours for training. While on call, responders may perform various activities on campus when not responding to calls. For example, responders may study, do schoolwork, go to class, and work on group projects on campus.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To be certified, new responders must complete a 40-hour Canadian Red Cross course, usually spread over two weekends, a 12-hour Mental Health First Aid Course, and an additional hour of training a week for the Fall semester. CUSERT arranges all the courses for our new members. Finally, there are various evaluations and meetings throughout the year that total approximately 4 hours a month. These dates are communicated well in advance.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Do I need prior first aid experience to join CUSERT?<\/strong><br>No, most of our new responders\u202fhave little to no prior first aid experience. CUSERT provides comprehensive training for new responders. All responders\u202falso participate in training sessions every week.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>I currently do not have my Standard First Aid\/CPR Level C certification, but I plan to take a course before the application deadline. Can I still apply?<\/strong><br>Yes, if you plan to take the Standard First Aid\/CPR Level C course before September 15, 2024, you may apply before then. CUSERT is tentatively holding classes in September; please visit our&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/cusert\/first-aid-courses\/\">First Aid Courses<\/a>&nbsp;page for more information.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Do CUSERT responders get paid?<\/strong><br>No, CUSERT is a volunteer service.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>How many spots are there for new responders?<\/strong><br>The number varies from year to year as it depends on the size of the returning team and the quality of applications.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n        <\/dd>\n    <\/div>\n\n\n    <\/dl>\n\n\n    <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n<p>If you have any additional questions or concerns, please email us at&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20220912140338\/mailto:applications@cusert.carleton.ca\">applications@cusert.com<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Become a CUSERT Responder! Click Here to join our mailing list to be notified when our applications open! How to Apply: The first step in becoming a CUSERT responder is determining if you meet the eligibility requirements. To join CUSERT, you must:&nbsp; *This includes students who will be starting at 杏吧原创 University in September 2025. [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_cu_dining_location_slug":"","footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"cu_page_type":[29],"class_list":["post-17","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry","cu_page_type-general"],"acf":{"cu_post_thumbnail":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/cusert\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/17","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/cusert\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/cusert\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/cusert\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/cusert\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=17"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/cusert\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/17\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1274,"href":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/cusert\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/17\/revisions\/1274"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/cusert\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=17"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"cu_page_type","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/cusert\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/cu_page_type?post=17"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}