Most training programs ask you to pay tuition. This one pays you instead.
Capital Health is recruiting its next class for the EMT Academy at Regional Medical Center. Students join as full-time EMT intern employees from the first day. After certification, graduates move straight into full-time EMT jobs with Capital Health Emergency Medical Services.
Applications for the 2027 sessions open October 15 and close November 15, 2026. So if emergency medicine has been on your mind, now is the time to plan ahead.
Program at a Glance
- Program: EMT Academy at Regional Medical Center
- Employer: Capital Health Emergency Medical Services
- Pay: Paid as a full-time EMT intern during training
- Schedule: Monday through Friday, 8 hours a day
- Length: 16 weeks
- Training: 250 hours of classroom, lab, simulation, and field work
- Education: High school diploma or equivalent required
- Application window: October 15 to November 15, 2026
- After graduation: Full-time EMT position with Capital Health
- Apply at: capitalhealth.org (search “EMT Intern”)
What the Training Covers
The academy runs 250 hours from start to finish. Instruction mixes classroom lessons with hands-on lab work. Students also practice in simulation settings built to feel like real emergency calls. Finally, each student completes a field rotation alongside a working EMS crew.
Because the schedule follows a regular work week, it feels more like a job than a class. You show up Monday through Friday for eight hours a day. The full program wraps up in 16 weeks.
A Paycheck While You Learn
The pay is the big draw. Participants are hired as Capital Health employees before they ever treat a patient. As a result, you earn a paycheck through all 16 weeks of training.
For many adults, that removes the biggest barrier to a career change. Rent, car payments, and family bills do not pause for school. With this program, you do not have to pick between training and income.
There is a job waiting at the finish line, too. Graduates move into full-time EMT roles with Capital Health once they earn certification. Capital Health describes the academy as part of its investment in employees and the community it serves.
Who Should Apply
The academy is open to anyone ready for a new career. It also welcomes people who are just starting out. A recent high school graduate from Toms River could apply. So could a retail worker in Manchester who wants steadier, more meaningful work.
Applicants need to meet a few basic requirements:
- A high school diploma or equivalent
- A valid driver’s license in good standing
- The ability to read at a 10th grade level
- Basic computer skills and comfort with manuals, maps, and written instructions
- Strong English skills for reading, writing, and speaking
- Good time management habits
Current AHA CPR and First Aid certification is preferred but not required. If you do not have these cards yet, consider earning them before applications open. It could help your application stand out.
The Right Temperament for EMS Work
Skills can be taught, but temperament matters just as much. Capital Health looks for people who stay calm and think clearly under pressure. After all, emergencies rarely unfold in neat, predictable ways.
In addition, EMTs work closely with partners, nurses, and police at every scene. Strong people skills and a team mindset go a long way. The academy also asks for serious commitment, since the pace is full-time from the start.
Getting There From the Shore
Capital Health’s Regional Medical Center is located in Trenton. From Toms River, Jackson, or Lakewood, most people reach it in about an hour. Route 195 makes the trip fairly direct for Ocean County residents. Western Monmouth towns like Freehold and Manalapan face a similar drive.
Since a valid driver’s license is already required, most students will plan to commute by car. Carpooling with a classmate from the area could also help cut costs.
How to Apply
Capital Health offers two ways to apply once the window opens on October 15.
- Scan the QR code on the program flyer, then select “Apply” to start your application.
- Visit capitalhealth.org and click “Careers” in the top right corner. Then scroll down to “Apply Now” and type “EMT Intern” to find the listing.
Mark November 15 on your calendar, since applications close that day. Waiting until the final week leaves little room to fix mistakes or gather documents.
Get Help Preparing Your Application
The Ocean County Career Center can help you get ready before the window opens. Our case managers offer skills assessments, job search support, and one-on-one career guidance. Learn more on our job seeker services page.
Want to compare a few options first? Browse our career training posts for other programs in the area. For example, the NJ CAR TAP Automotive Technician Bootcamp offers another hands-on route into a skilled trade. You can also scan our weekly job listings for current openings nearby.
Younger job seekers may find extra support through our youth programs. Meanwhile, planning tools like NJ Training Explorer are listed on our local resources page.
Have questions? Call us at 732-240-5995 or reach out through our contact page. Our office sits at 1005 Hooper Avenue in Toms River, with appointments Monday through Friday.
