Louisiana

Jimmy Guidry, MD, Medical Director
Bureau of Emergency Medical Services
Department of Health and Hospitals
Office of Public Health
P.O. Box 94215
8919 World Ministry Ave., Ste. A
Baton Rouge, LA 70804
225/763-5700
Fax 225/763-5702
www.oph.dhh.louisiana.gov/emergencymedical
e-mail: emsweb@dhh.la.gov

First Responder: Skills include: Those identified in the DOT outline for first responders, plus oxygen administration and AED, simple spinal immobilization, oxygenation and splinting. Hours of training: 48. Certification requirements: Successful completion of training/exams. Recertification requirements: Through the Bureau of EMS, complete 20-hour refresher course and apply for recertification. National Registry optional.

EMT-Basic: Skills include: Those identified in the DOT outline for EMT-Basic. Hours of training: 130 didactic, 10 clinical. Certification requirements: Successful completion of state-approved DOT National Standard Curriculum training program. Successful completion of the National Registry Basic EMT written exam and a state Basic EMT practical exam in accordance with National Registry guidelines and pulmonary ventilation by use of Combi-Tube. Must have evidence of residence and/or employment in Louisiana. Recertification requirements: Maintain National Registry certification according to Registry guidelines and apply for state recertification every two years, including a 24-hour refresher course.

EMT-Intermediate: Skills include: All skills on Basic level, plus administration of IV saline, glucose or volume-expanding agents and pulmonary ventilation by use of EOA, EGTA or Combi Tube. Hours of training: 80–100 didactic, 80 clinical, 80 field internship. Certification requirements: Successful completion of a state-approved training program adhering to DOT National Standard Curriculum for EMT-I, successful completion of National Registry EMT-I exam (practical and written), documentary evidence of residence and/or employment in Louisiana. Recertification requirements: Maintain current National Registry certification according to Registry guidelines and apply for state recertification every two years, including Basic refresher course and 12-hour refresher course.

EMT-Paramedic: Skills include: All skills of Basic and Intermediate levels, plus gastric and tracheal suctioning, pulmonary ventilation by use of dual lumen airway device and/or endotracheal intubation, cardiac defibrillation, administration of several classes of medication by several methods, and other procedures approved by the Department of Health and Hospitals. Hours of training: 1,111 hours minimum. Certification requirements: Successful completion of state-approved training program adhering to the DOT National Standard Curriculum for EMT-P, successful completion of the National Registry EMT-P exam (practical and written), documentary evidence of residence and/or employment in Louisiana. Recertification requirements: Maintain National Registry certification according to Registry guidelines and apply for state recertification every two years, according to National Registry policy.

Responsible certification agency: First Responder, Basic EMT, Intermediate EMT and Paramedic EMT certified by Office of Public Health, Bureau of Emergency Medical Services. (EMS providers/ambulance services are certified by the Department of Health and Hospitals, Bureau of Health Services Financing, Health Standards Section.)

Reciprocity: Full reciprocity with National Registry only. Military reciprocity possible, otherwise will have to take the National Registry exam.

Salary ranges: Basic EMT: $19,000–$26,000/yr.; Intermediate EMT: $26,000–$31,000/yr.; Paramedic: $32,000–$45,000/yr.

Number of licensed ambulance vehicles (public and private) in the state: 68 services are comprised of 586 ambulances, 71 ALS sprint vehicles and 25 aircraft.