Pathway to acadian
EMS students

Your Future After High School

It’s never too early to begin thinking about and preparing for your future after high school.

Whether you earn a diploma or a GED, a career in emergency medicine can be a rewarding one for you. Acadian has many job openings and opportunities for career growth for EMTs and paramedics throughout Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee and Texas.

No matter which grade you’re in, sign up for our email list and we’ll guide you through the steps you can take to becoming an Acadian EMT and beyond.

Scroll through this page to learn more, and join our email list or sign up for text updates to receive occasional updates and news on EMS education and careers at Acadian Ambulance.

High School Students

Acadian Explorers in downtown lafayette louisiana

Acadian Ambulance Explorers

Program for High School Students

Acadian Ambulance Explorers gain valuable medical knowledge and experience while in high school, working alongside Acadian paramedics. With more than 15 Explorer posts throughout Acadian’s service area, students are able to join, allowing them to:

  • Learn basic lifesaving skills at monthly meetings.
  • Build a medical résumé.
  • Shadow Acadian paramedics and EMTs.
  • Ride along on ambulances.
  • Earn service hours volunteering and gaining hands-on experience at events like concerts, college football games and festivals.
air med crew

Explorers to EMTs

EMT Francesca
Alex EMT
Saraya EMT
emt workshop

High School EMR and EMT Classes

Acadian Ambulance is proud to help support Emergency Medical Responder (EMR) classes in high schools throughout the state of Louisiana.

EMRs provide immediate lifesaving care to critical patients and provide assistance to higher-level personnel at the scene of emergencies and during transport. Becoming an EMR is one step you can take before pursuing your EMT certification.

To find out if your school offers an EMR class, contact your school’s guidance counselor.

In addition, Acadian Ambulance is working with schools to provide EMT classes for students. These classes would enable a student to be eligible to test for EMT certification right out of high school, allowing them to enter the workforce sooner.

Currently, there are EMT programs at these schools:

  • Rayne High-Acadia Parish
  • Dutchtown High-Ascension Parish
  • EBR Career Tech -East Baton Rouge Parish
  • Lafayette High-Lafayette Parish
  • Career Center-Lafayette Parish
  • Career Magnet Center-Lafourche Parish

  • Tioga High-Rapides Parish

  • Buckeye High-Rapides Parish
  • Peabody High-Rapides Parish
  • Opelousas High-St. Landry Parish
  • Mandeville/Covington-St. Tammany Parish
  • Fontainebleau-St. Tammany Parish
  • Independence High-Tangipahoa Parish

Careers in EMS at Acadian Ambulance

Are you ready for the next step after high school?

EMS is a vital industry, with the roles of the EMT and paramedic continuing to be in high demand. Over the next 10 years, the increased demand and responsibility for EMS professionals will require moving from technical certificate programs to full-on degree programs.

EMT Quick Facts

  • At least 18 years old before the date of the certification exam
  • High School Diploma/GED/HiSET or college transcript
  • Demonstrate a minimum standard of reading aptitude
  • Physically able to perform the duties of an EMT
  • Verification of immunization records
  • AHA BLS CPR certification or ARC CPR for the professional rescuer
  • Emergency rooms
  • Ambulance providers
  • Security agencies
  • Telehealth
  • Dispatch centers
  • Police agencies
  • Fire services

Paramedic Quick Facts

  • At least 18 years old before the date of the certification exam
  • EMT – National Registered or State Registered
  • High School Diploma/GED/HiSET or college transcript
  • AHA BLS CPR certification or ARC CPR for the professional rescuer
  • Verification of immunization records
  • Enrollment through SLCC (apply at solacc.edu)
  • Emergency rooms
  • Ambulance providers
  • Security agencies
  • Fire services
  • Telehealth
  • Dispatch centers
  • Aeromedical services
  • EMS instruction
  • Police agencies
  • Management
  • Oil & Gas industries

Getting Started

Freshman, Sophomores, Juniors and Seniors

Join our email list to receive information designed especially for high school students (freshmen – seniors). We’ll send you periodic updates and valuable information during your high school journey.

And, of course, we’re always here to answer your questions along the way.