6
Rev. – 5.24.22
HIGH SCHOOL EMS EDUCATION PROGRAM GUIDE
Any variations or exceptions to Bureau of EMS policy require advanced approval in writing from the Bureau of
EMS.
The Louisiana Department of Education defers to the Louisiana Bureau of EMS for quality assurance and
program compliance. In partnership with the Louisiana Department of Education, the Bureau of EMS may share
quality assurance data/findings. In addition, all disciplinary actions taken against a high school EMS program will
be disclosed to the Department of Education.
Student Selection Criteria
Due to the nature of emergency medicine and the potential stresses the student will be exposed to, students
and parents must be aware of the nature of the course. All students enrolled in an EMS course must be at least
16 years of age by the scheduled end date of the course. All students less than 18 years of age at the start of
the course must have a signed parental permission form on file with the program before the start date of the
course. Students enrolled in the EMT course will be required to complete clinical training and should expect to
be exposed to physical and mental stress (i.e. work in a clinical setting, ride-a-longs, exposure to patient trauma)
above that which is normally experienced in the high school setting. These rotations may require after-school,
overnight, or weekend hours to complete.
To be eligible to enroll in and pursue licensure in a high school EMS course in Louisiana, the applicant must:
• Be proficient in reading, writing, and speaking the English language.
• Must have a 1.85 cumulative GPA prior to entering the EMR program and maintain a 2.0 course GPA
while in the program. Must have a 2.0 cumulative GPA prior to entering the EMT program and maintain
a 2.0 course GPA while in the program.
• Have already passed, or concurrently enrolled in, high school Biology I.
• Be a minimum of 16 years of age by the scheduled end date of the EMR course. Be a minimum of 17
years of age at the conclusion date of the EMT course.
• The student must provide the course instructor with a parental permission form, with the signature of a
parent or guardian, verifying approval for enrollment in the course.
• Have no physical or mental impairment that would render the student unable to perform all practical
skills required for the level of certification including the ability to function and communicate
independently and perform appropriate patient care, physical assessments, and treatments without the
need of an assistant.
• Currently possess or earn in the EMR course a current AHA BLS CPR (or equivalent) card.
• Currently possess a current state-issued license/ID, valid passport, or federal visa.
• Not have an arrest/conviction record (as an adult) that has not been cleared by the EMS Certification
Commission.
• Maintain a professional appearance in line with local EMS expectations and according to the local school
district policy.
• Not be under the influence of any drugs or intoxicating substances that impair the ability to provide
patient care or operate a motor vehicle while in class or the clinical setting, while on duty, when
responding to, or assisting in the care of a patient.