EMRAP (Emergency Medicine Research Associates Program) at the UC Davis Medical Center (UCDMC Sacramento) is an emergency room clinical research internship.

Deadline to Apply

Friday, August 22nd at 3:00 PM via e-mail submission.

Research

The research program in Emergency Medicine at UCDMC is very active. Some areas of interest include: 1) cardiopulmonary diseases, 2) strategic clinical decision making, 3) intubations, 4) traumas, 5) central lines, 6) alcoholic liver diseases, and 7) new imaging techniques.

Setting

The site for EMRAP is the Emergency Department located within the UCDMC. This 470-bed hospital is the major teaching affiliate for the UC Davis School of Medicine. The Emergency Department (ED) cares for more than 60,000 patients per year and is a principle component of the Emergency Medicine Residency program. The Hospital serves an area of tremendous diversity in both cultural and socioeconomic background. It is a Level 1 Trauma, Burn and Pediatric Care Center, the only such institution in inland Northern California. It is one of the five busiest Trauma Centers in the country.

Research Associates

Research Associates (RAs) identify patients who are eligible for our studies, read information about the studies to the patients, collect data from the patients' history and some physical findings, and generally facilitate the completion of the research encounters. This type of Research Associates program, with involvement in emergency medicine research, is only available at a few centers in the country. We are looking for highly motivated, hard-working college students, particularly those who may have career goals in the health care professions, to fill this role as RAs.

A consecutive two quarter (Sept 2008 -March 2009) commitment for EMRAP is required. For the first quarter, all RAs have the option to participate for either 3 or 4 units of academic course credit. Those RAs receiving 3 units commit to attending a weekly lecture (Monday 1-3 pm at UCDMC) and working one 4-hour shift in the UCDMC Emergency Department. RAs receiving 4 units commit to attending a weekly lecture (Monday 1-3 pm at UCDMC) and working two 4-hour shifts. During the weekly lectures, RAs will learn the particulars of each project and will be involved in all aspects of clinical research. After the first quarter, you are not required to take units or attend the weekly lectures. However, you must make a minimum two quarter commitment!

The potential exists for students to become even more involved in ongoing research studies. Faculty and resident researchers need RAs to participate in all aspects of their clinical research. Skills such as research methodology, computer data entry and searching the medical literature can be developed by those RAs who extend themselves.

Benefits

In a global sense, as an RA you will be helping to conduct research which advances medical knowledge and can promote the better delivery of health care. Very practically, you will see medical care in its most basic elements. It is a tremendous way to find out if a career in the health care professions is for you.

RAs are evaluated at every shift by the clinical faculty of the Division of Emergency Medicine, UC Davis School of Medicine. Those completing each quarter have these evaluations compiled into a letter of reference that reflects the supervision of their research activities and their performance. If you are motivated, additional work on specific projects could result in more responsibility, including possible inclusion as an author on publication. The RA Program cooperates with the student's college concerning academic credit, as appropriate. A credit course is available to UC Davis students.

Most importantly, being an RA introduces you to the medical team that provides the acute care for the sickest patients in Sacramento, the Department of Emergency Medicine at UCDMC.

How to Apply

Please email to David Johns at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it for an application. The deadline is by 3:00 pm on Friday, August 22nd 2008 via e-mail submission.

Selected students must attend:

1. Mandatory confirmation meeting Wednesday, September 24th from 12:00pm- 2:00pm, room 229 South Hall;
2. Mandatory UCDMC hospital orientation (unless you have volunteered at UCDMC before) on Tuesday, September 30th;
3. Mandatory weekly lectures (Monday from 1-3pm at UCDMC) starting October 6th.

Instructions for filling out the electronic application:

For PC and MAC users: Please use Microsoft Word to fill out the electronic application. Once completed, please save the application as “Last Name, First Name, Fall 2008” (ex. “Appleseed, John, Fall 2008”) and email it with the subject titled “Fall 2008 Application” to David Johns at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Questions

Please e-mail David Johns at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Do I have to be an ARC or UC Davis Student?
No, this is open to all students, from any college as long as you can meet the requirements for meetings and shifts.

I have class on Mondays at my school from 1pm to 3pm, and cannot attend the Research class, is that OK since I am not getting credit?
Absolutely NOT. Unless you know how to conduct clinical research and aware of the specific research protocols then it is imperative that you attend the class and learn how to conduct clinical research and awareness of the protocols. Please don't ask about this, it is not negotiable.

Testimonials

Read the accounts of the EMRAP written by students who enrolled in it in the past. We hope that their experiences will inspire you in making a decision for enrolling in this program.