|
 Frequently Asked Questions
What is The National EMS Academy?
The National EMS Academy is an educational partnership between South Louisiana Community College and Acadian Ambulance Service, Inc. We offer EMT-Basic and Paramedic certification courses along with an Associate of Applied Science in Emergency Medical Technology - Paramedic degree. How much does the program cost?
The National EMS Academy's courses are some of the most affordable in the nation. The tuition for our courses is paid to South Louisiana Community College and averages $64 per credit hour (for example, the EMT-Basic course is a 7-credit hour class). For more information about tuition and fees, see SLCC's College Catalog: http://www.slcc.cc.la.us/catalog.htm . Is financial aid available?
Several forms of financial aid are available, including grants and scholarships. SLCC participates in the Federal Pell Grant program (school code: 039563), the Louisiana TOPS Program, and works with state agencies such as Workforce Investment Act (WIA) and Louisiana Rehabilitation to help students reduce the costs of education. We are also eligible for veterans education benefits (GI Bill) and honor the Louisiana National Guard Tuition Exemption Program. To get started, complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid: http://www.fafsa.ed.gov or call our Financial Aid Department for more information: 337-521-8910. Do you have to be an EMT-Basic before you can become a Paramedic?
Yes. State certification standards require that you become certified at the EMT-Basic level before participating in a Paramedic certification course. Our programs are designed to accommodate students whether you are already certified as an EMT or not. How long does it take to get certified?
It takes approximately 3 months to become certified as an EMT-Basic and an additional 9-12 months of training as a full-time student to complete the requirements for certification as a paramedic. What is required for the Associate of Applied Science degree?
To complete the Associate of Applied Science in Emergency Medical Technology - Paramedic degree, you will need to complete 44 semester hours of EMT-Basic and Paramedic certification courses and an additional 25 semester hours of general education courses. More information about the degree can be found in SLCC's College Catalog. Where can I work once I am certified?
Jobs for EMTs and Paramedics exist in several different sectors. The primary employers of EMTs and Paramedics are public and private ambulance companies. Within those organizations, many EMTs and Paramedics work on ground ambulances, in aeromedical transport (helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft), offshore, or in education. However, job opportunities also exist in hospitals and petrochemical and manufacturing industries. According to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics, the EMT/Paramedic field is expected to grow "faster than most other occupations" at least through the year 2010. How much do EMTs and Paramedics get paid?
Pay varies according to employer and geographic location. In Louisiana, average pay for entry-level EMT-Basic personnel is up to $30,000 per year. Entry-level paramedics in Louisiana make up to $40,000 per year. How often are classes offered?
The National EMS Academy typically offers a class each fall and every other spring. See the Request for Information section of our web site for more details.
|
