Once a provider earns their EMT certification, there are many avenues to explore to advance to the next certification level. Virginia Beach EMS also has a scholarship program to assist our members in taking the next step in their EMS careers.

Virginia Beach EMS members seeking to become ALS students while affiliated with VBEMS must apply for affiliation and/or scholarship through the VBEMS Training Center. Applications must be submitted 45 days prior to the official start date of the program in which they are pre-enrolled to apply for affiliation and/or scholarship, unless otherwise specified.

Student Eligibility

Student eligibility is determined by the VBEMS Training Center based on the following eligibility criteria. The student:

• Must be seeking enrollment in a Virginia Office of Emergency Medical Services-approved initial ALS certification program.
• Meet ALL Virginia Department of Health Office of EMS provider eligibility requirements as listed on the Virginia Office of EMS Website.
• Must be an active Attendant-in-Charge (AIC) provider with a VB Rescue agency for one year, in good standing, meeting minimum duty requirements and not under a VBEMS training contract.
• Must be a minimum of 18 years of age at the beginning of class.
• Must hold a high school diploma or general equivalency, if required for the program.
• Must hold current Commonwealth of Virginia or National Registry Emergency Medical Technician (NREMT), Advanced Emergency Medical Technician (AEMT), or Intermediate Certification, as required by the program.
• Must have documentation of ICS 100 and 200, IS 700, IS 800, AWR-160 certificates, current cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR) course completion (EMT and AEMT only), and a recent VBEMS OSHA course on file with VBEMS.

All applications should be submitted using the links below. Questions? Contact emsalscoordinator@vbgov.com

• Affiliation Application for Students With or Without Scholarship
• Internship Application

Scholarship and Affiliation Program

The scholarship program supports VBEMS members who are accepted into an eligible Virginia Beach EMS-approved initial ALS certification program, Advanced EMT and Paramedic.

Selection Criteria for ALS Training Scholarship

• Scholarship funds available within the VBEMS budget line.
• Applicant’s percentage of VB Rescue duty requirements as an Attendant-in-Charge (AIC) met in the last 12 months.
• Applicant’s time released under general supervision as an AIC within the VBEMS system
• Any other selection criteria as determined by VBEMS.

Scholarship Awardee Expectations

The Awardee becomes immediately responsible for payment in full to the City of Virginia Beach if they do not meet the following:

• Required to sign an ALS Training Contract with the City of Virginia Beach.
• Apply for a Virginia Office of EMS (VAOEMS) Scholarship within 30 days from the official start date of the program. The award monies must be directed to the Virginia Beach Department of EMS (VB Rescue – EMS).
• Successful completion of their training program.
• Successfully test and obtain a Virginia certification at the level of training within the established time frame.
  
• AIC released at the level of the course attended within the established time frame.
  
• Affiliation with a VBEMS agency as an active member for a minimum o.f one year.
  
• Compliance with all applicable Code of Virginia and EMS Regulations, as well as the Training Program Administration Manual.
• Notify VBEMS and VAOEMS of any change in legal name, address change, or criminal/civil charges within five (5) days of the event.
• For full disclosure, be sure to read the scholarship contract.

Approved Expenses for Scholarship Funding

The scholarship award amount shall only be used for payment of charges for tuition, fees, or other education expenses as prescribed by the ALS program. Room, board, travel, research, clerical help, equipment, and additional costs not required for enrollment or attendance at an eligible educational institution are not allowable expenses. In most cases, the ALS Program will invoice VBEMS for the expense covered under the scholarship.

“Other expenses as prescribed by the ALS Program” includes the following list of allowable items:

• EMS textbooks.
• EMS program uniforms/clinical clothing.
• EMS testing fees to include CTS fees & NREMT certification exam fees.
• Clinical tracking program software licenses to include but not limited to FISDAP; Platinum Planner.
• NREMT cognitive exam preparation software to include but not limited to FISDAP, EMSTesting.com.
• EMS program-related background checks.