There are a number of EMT programs in Louisiana that are well worth considering for any student who would like to enter the emergency medical services in this state. There are often subtle as well as obvious differences in terms of state requirements for EMTs. Consequently, it is necessary for you to research the requirements in your particular state before embarking on any training in this regard. For example, in Louisiana, you can enter training at the tender age of 17, while in other states you have to be 18, and sometimes even 19, years old before you are permitted to work towards this qualification.
Louisiana State Requirements For Becoming An EMT
Basic EMT State Requirements
The first requirement involved in becoming a basic EMT in Louisiana is that you complete a Louisiana Bureau of EMS-approved training program based on the Emergency Medical Technician-Basic curriculum. According to braintrack.com, you need to meet the following requirements before you will be admitted to such a program:
- You must be 17 years of age to enter a program
- You must have a high school diploma (or equivalent) or be state certified as a First Responder prior to starting the course
- High school students should be enrolled in good standing with their high school
- You must take a Bureau of EMS-approved standardized proficiency exam and demonstrate an eighth grade reading level
Along with proof that you have completed an accredited program, you must also provide a transcript from a doctor stating that you are in good health and therefore able to perform your duties as an EMT adequately and without putting the lives of you or your patients at risk. This assessment must be performed within 6 months prior to application. Although you can enter an EMT training program at 17, you must be at least 18 years old to take the National Registry exam to receive Louisiana State Certification. This consists of both a practical as well as a written examination.
Intermediate EMT State Requirements
To become an EMT at Intermediate level in Louisiana you must begin by completing a Louisiana Bureau of EMS-approved training program based on the Emergency Medical Technician 1984 curriculum.
Note: You will be unable to enroll in such a program if you were previously dismissed from a similar program for any reason other than simply failing the program academically within the last two years. In addition, you will not successfully pass the program if you attend less than 90% of the training hours offered.
Although there are some exceptions, you will also need to be a National Registered EMT Basic and State Certified EMT-Basic before you can become an Intermediate EMT in Louisiana. If you have a criminal record for any reason it is unlikely that you will be able to receive certification at this level, except under very rare circumstances. While EMT-Basics only need to read at 8th grade level in Louisiana, EMT-Intermediate’s must be able to read at 10th grade level if they are to be accepted into the industry. Proof from a doctor that you are free from communicable diseases and that you have received all of the necessary immunizations is also required if you are to be certified at this level. Last, but not least, you must receive National Registry Certification and Louisiana State Certification.
Choosing A Program
There are a number of considerations to keep in mind when it comes to selecting EMT programs in Louisiana as there are a fair number to choose from. Your final decision depends heavily on what you are looking for in a school. Some of the schools listed below have, for example, a stronger focus on the emergency medical services than others. This often implies that the education offered will be more comprehensive and that the qualification will be taken more seriously. Schools that fall into this category include South Louisiana Community College, Delgado Community College, and Bossier Parish Community College. However, there are also other factors involved in selecting a school. If, for example, you specifically want to attend a school with a diverse student body, you should consider enrolling at Southern University at Shreveport, Louisiana Tech Alexandria, Nunez Community College, or NTC. If you are an adult learner who would feel more comfortable around other adult learners, you should consider applying at Southern University at Shreveport and Bossier Parish Community College. And if you would prefer to attend a school that has small class sizes, you should consider South Central Louisiana Technical College, NTC, Louisiana Tech Alexandria, and Delgado Community College.
List Of EMT Programs In Louisiana
Louisiana has a number of schools on offer for students interested in pursuing a career in the emergency medical services industry. Some of the EMT programs in Louisiana are listed below:
- Bossier Parish Community College, located in Bossier City and offering an Associate’s degree
- Delgado Community College, located in New Orleans and offering an Associate’s degree
- L E Fletcher Technical Community College, located in Houma and offering an Associate’s degree
- Louisiana Technical College- Alexandria Campus, located in Alexandria and offering an Associate’s degree
- Louisiana Technical College- Delta- Ouachita Campus, located in West Monroe and offering an Associate’s degree
- Louisiana Technical College- Northeast LA Branch Campus, located in Winnsboro and offering an Associate’s degree
- Northshore Technical College- Hammond Area Branch Campus, located in Hammond and offering an Associate’s degree
- Northshore Technical College- Sullivan Main Campus, located in Bogalusa and offering an Associate’s degree
- Nunez Community College, located in Chalmette and offering an Associate’s degree
- South Central Louisiana Technical College- Lafourche Campus, located in Thibodaux and offering an Associate’s degree
- South Louisiana Community College, located in Lafayette and offering an Associate’s degree
- Southern University at Shreveport, located in Shreveport and offering an Associate’s degree
Certification And Examination
In order to become certified as an EMT in Louisiana you must first complete a Department of Transportation approved EMT or Paramedic course prior to taking the National Registry Exam for Emergency Medical Technicians. This exam is both computer-based as well as practical, meaning that your theory knowledge and your clinical skills will be tapped before you will become certified. To become certified you must provide proof that you have passed this examination. In addition you will need to provide your current NREMT card.
Preparing for the examination is essential. This involves doing online revision, but also involves becoming familiar with computer based testing as there is no longer a ‘pen and paper’ option available. The EMT National Data Training Base has thousands of questions for you to use while you practice for your examination. This can be found by visiting http://www.emt-national-training.com/louisiana-emt.php. What is particularly helpful about this resource is that it not only provides questions for you to use as you practice, but it also provides all of the answers as well as explanations regarding why one answer is correct while another, similar, answer is incorrect. If possible, form a study group with other EMT students who are also in the process of preparing for the examination as this will greatly improve your efficacy.
If you would like more information, please contact the Louisiana Bureau of Emergency Medical Services:
11224 Boardwalk Drive, Suite A-1
Baton Rouge, LA 70816
Phone: (225) 275-1764
emsweb@dhh.la.gov
Major Private Employers Of EMTs in Louisiana
There are two main private employers of EMT professionals in the state of Louisiana. They are American Medical Response, located in New Orleans, and Priority Mobile Health, located in Terrytown. In addition to these employers, of course, you will also have the opportunity to work for hospitals and ambulatory care units across the state. The following are examples of non-private employers you could work for as an EMT in Louisiana:
- Charity Hospital of Louisiana (Hospital)
- Louisiana State University (Hospital)
- Ochsner Medical Center (Hospital)
- University Hospital (Hospital)
- Acadian Ambulance Services Incorporated (Ambulance Service)
- American Medical Response (Ambulance Service)
- Balentine Ambulance Services (Ambulance Service)
- Lifeline-West Calcasieu (Ambulance Service)
- Med Life Ambulance (Ambulance Service)
- Alexandria Fire Department (Fire Department)
- Bossier City Fire Department (Fire Department)
- Eastbank Consolidated Fire Department (Fire Department)
- Fire Protection Dist 4 (Fire Department)
- Lake Charles Fire Department (Fire Department)
- Monroe Fire Department (Fire Department)
- Violet Fire Department (Fire Department)
- Wards 1 and 2 Fire Protection (Fire Department
Not only are there many EMT programs in Louisiana to choose from, but there are also many different employment opportunities available to a prospective student in the emergency medical services once they have graduated from their program. This makes it an extremely sensible career option. It must be noted that not all students are good at taking exams. If you are a student of this kind, you may wish to consider engaging in additional training and examination preparation in order to be well prepared for certification. This will often cost you more money, but in the long run it is certainly worth the time and expenditure.