Advanced EMT Academy
EMS provides a wide array of training and educational opportunities to all VB Rescue members.
Virginia Beach EMS provides a wide array of training and educational opportunities to all VB Rescue members. Furthering those efforts, Virginia Beach EMS now offers an Advanced EMT (AEMT) Academy for VB Rescue members!
Next Academy: TBD
- Be a minimum of 18 years of age at the beginning of class.
- Hold a high school diploma or general equivalency.
- Hold current Virginia or National Registry Emergency Medical Technician (NREMT) Certification for at least 12 months.
- Currently released under general supervision within the VB Rescue system and not under a training contract with the City of Virginia Beach.
- An active member in good standing with one of the volunteer rescue squads of Virginia Beach.
- Documentation of ICS 100 and 200, IS 700 and 800 and AWR-160 certificates, current cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR) course completion and a current VBEMS OSHA course on file.
- View Virginia Office of EMS Prerequisites for EMS Training, Criminal History, and Standards of Conduct.
- Academy size is limited. Student selection includes year of service with Virginia Beach, meets duty requirement, and Virginia Beach proctor/instructor.
- Advanced Academy meets in person twice a week. Academy sessions include lectures and skill labs to educate and train students for the NREMT Advanced Examinations. Sessions typically last four hours.
- Clinical rotations will take place at approved hospitals and Field rotations will be with Virginia Beach EMS.
- Academy sessions meet at The Bruce W. Edwards Virginia Beach EMS Headquarters and Training Center at 4160 Virginia Beach Blvd.
- The AEMT Academy Program includes an EMT review prior to the start of the Advanced EMT (AEMT) courses to better prepare students.
- The AEMT course is accredited by the Virginia Office of EMS. Students in this course will bridge from the EMT level to the Advanced EMT level. This bridge program builds on the EMT knowledge and skills. Human systems, pathophysiology, patient assessment, IV fluid management, pharmacology, and basic skills are some of the focused areas in this class.
- This program exceeds the national educational standards for certification as a National Registry Advanced EMT. All students will be required to successfully complete the course with a minimum grade of 80 percent and course requirements before being eligible for testing.
- A significant portion of the Academy will require independent study online using the JBL learning platform. The Platinum EMS Testing platform is utilized to administer exams. It is highly suggested to have a laptop or tablet with internet access in order to complete assignments, quizzes, and tests.
- As part of the National Registry Advanced EMT course, you will be required to complete 36 hours of clinical rotations within an emergency department and 72 hours of field internship. Field Internship time will be completed with the VB Rescue System and/or any agency with a field internship agreement. In-hospital clinical will vary throughout the week and will only be completed within the Sentara Health System.
- Once admitted to the program, students must obtain all required vaccinations prior to the start of clinical and field rotations. View the entire list of required vaccinations. Please note that among the required vaccinations are two doses of either Moderna or Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines or one dose of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine.
- Tuition is $2,700 and covers various costs of the course, including learning materials and one attempt at the AEMT Psychomotor Exam and Cognitive Exam. Learn more about what else tuition covers. VB Rescue members can enter into an educational contract that offsets the cost of the course. The contract will require the student to volunteer with the VB Rescue system for a period of one year as a released AEMT.
- Students must bring their own stethoscope, black/blue/khaki pants, and closed-toe shoes. Students will be issued a student uniform.