Q 1. What does this program provide for paramedic students?
A: The Paramedic Tuition Bursary Program provides an amount of up to 100% of the NS Student Rate for the purpose of course tuition and fees to paramedic students who enroll in and complete an eligible paramedic training program and commit to working full time for Emergency Medical Care Inc. in Nova Scotia as a Primary Care Paramedic (PCP) for four (4) years following graduation.
Q 2. Who qualifies for the Paramedic Tuition Bursary (PCP) Program?
A: The following criteria must be met to qualify for the bursary:
- Enrollment in an eligible PCP program
- Students must be eligible to gain licensure with the Nova Scotia Regulator of Paramedicine upon completion of their academic requirement – see Nova Scotia Regulator of Paramedicine: Home (cpns.ca)
- Students must sign a four (4) year Return of Service agreement to work within the ground ambulance service in Nova Scotia
- Nova Scotia resident (Nova Scotia healthcard, drivers license or other form of government issued ID)
- Successful completion of pre-assessment and/or interview with employer
- Clear criminal background check and vulnerable sector check
- Acceptable safe driving record as demonstrated with a copy of a five-year driving abstract
- Students must be eligible to obtain a Nova Scotia class 4 drivers license or equivalent that authorizes you to drive an ambulance upon completion of your academic requirement
Q 3. What “eligible paramedic training programs” qualify for this funding?
A: Any Primary Care Paramedic program offered within Nova Scotia and New Brunswick that is approved by the Nova Scotia Regulator of Paramedicine Nova Scotia Regulator of Paramedicine: Home (cpns.ca)
Q 4. What do you consider full time employment? Does this mean 40 hours a week? Do I have to work in the same location?
A: A 35–42-hour work week is generally considered full time. You do not have to work in the same location or area to achieve the qualifying hours.
Q 5. Do current paramedic students qualify to receive the paramedic tuition Bursary?
A: All eligible students who are Nova Scotia residents who are or were enrolled and participating in an eligible active Primary Care Paramedic (PCP) training program on January 1, 2023 are eligible to receive this bursary with a four year Return of Service agreement.
Q 6. If I commit to work as a paramedic for an employer that is not EMCI (e.g., NSHA, operator outside of Nova Scotia), do I still qualify to receive the paramedic tuition bursary?
A: No. The current Paramedic Tuition Bursary Program is designed to only support PCP students who commit to work full-time for Nova Scotia’s ground ambulance paramedic workforce operated by EMCI.
Students who want to work as paramedics for other employers within and outside of Nova Scotia will not be eligible to receive this funding or may be required to pay some or all of the bursary funding already received.
Q 7. I graduated from paramedic training in 2022, am I eligible for this funding?
A: No. Only students who have completed an eligible program on or after January 1, 2023 are eligible to receive this tuition bursary.
Q 8. When will funding be disbursed for current students?
A: Current eligible students who have paid their tuition in full and sign a return of service agreement with EMCI will receive the incentive via payroll deposit following the completion of the onboarding process with EMCI.
Current eligible students who have not yet paid their tuition in full and sign the return of service agreement with EMCI may receive the bursary at the time of their next tuition installment. Payment would be provided directly to the educational institution.
Q 9. What are the requirements of the four (4) year ROS Agreement?
A: Students who qualify and want to receive this bursary will be required to sign a Return of Service Agreement with Emergency Medical Care, Inc. (EMCI) committing to work full-time as a PCP in Nova Scotia for EMCI for four years following graduation from their eligible program.
Q 10. Where will I be stationed to work after I graduate?
A: Subject to availability and operational area requirements, you will be stationed at a mutually agreed upon (yourself and EMCI) location. Your placement will be finalized as early as possible, prior to your employment start date.
Q 11. Is the Return of Service (ROS) agreement with the employer (EMCI) or with the Province of Nova Scotia?
A: The ROS Agreement is with the employer.
Q 12. What happens if a student does not complete the 4 years of Full-Time work as required by the ROS agreement?
A: Students who do not complete the four year Return of Service agreement, will be required to repay some or all of their tuition bursary, unless exceptional circumstances apply. These circumstances will be determined on a case-by-case basis.
Q 13. What happens if a student does not complete the paramedic training program?
A: Students who do not complete an eligible training program may have to repay some or all of their tuition bursary. However exceptional circumstances may be considered and will be determined on a case-by-case basis.
Q 14. What triggers a repayment of the tuition bursary?
A: Failure to complete an eligible program or the terms of the ROS Agreement may result in the student being required to repay some or all of the tuition bursary they received.
The decision to recoup some or all of a student’s tuition bursary is at the sole discretion of the Province of Nova Scotia.
Q 15. Does the tuition bursary apply to Advanced Care Paramedic Training Programs?
A: No. The initial Paramedic Tuition Bursary Program will only provide funding to students studying in a Primary Care Paramedic (PCP) program.
There is an existing tuition support program available for employees within the ground ambulance service pursuing Advanced Care Paramedic training that is separate from this initiative.
Q 16. How do I apply to receive the paramedic tuition bursary?
A: Students who qualify and want to receive this bursary will be required to meet the terms of and sign a Return of Service (ROS) Agreement with Emergency Medical Care, Inc. (EMCI) committing to work full-time as a PCP in Nova Scotia for EMCI for four years following graduation from their eligible program. Further questions about the application process can be directed to EMC.Recruitment@emci.ca
QUESTIONS?
Additional questions can be directed to EMC.Recruitment@emci.ca