Carolina First EMS

Join Our Team

Build a meaningful career in EMS with free training and advancement opportunities.

Grow With Us at No Cost to You

Carolina First EMS offers a unique apprenticeship program that lets you advance your career from Driver to EMT to Paramedic -- and we pay for your training every step of the way.

Driver

Start here

EMT

Free training

Paramedic

Free training

No experience? No problem. Start as a driver and we'll invest in your growth. Our apprenticeship program covers the full cost of your EMT and Paramedic certifications. You earn while you learn, and you build a career that matters.

GI Bill Approved OJT Apprenticeship

Our EMT On-the-Job Training apprenticeship is approved by the VA for Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits. Veterans can earn their EMT certification while receiving a tax-free Monthly Housing Allowance and a books and supplies stipend -- on top of the wages you earn working with us.

Monthly Housing Allowance (MHA) During Training

Based on the E-5 with dependents BAH rate for your training location:

Months 1-6

100%

Months 7-12

80%

Months 13-18

60%

Books & Supplies Stipend

Up to $1,000 per year (up to $83/month) for books and supplies needed for your training.

Earn While You Learn

You receive your regular wages from Carolina First EMS plus the tax-free GI Bill housing allowance on top. Double income while you train.

Veteran-Owned Company

As a Navy Veteran-owned business, we understand the value of military service and are committed to helping fellow veterans transition into civilian EMS careers.

Learn About GI Bill OJT Benefits View Current Benefit Rates Training Dept: (803) 900-3317 Opt 5

More Than Just a Job

We're a woman-owned and Navy Veteran-owned family business that treats every team member like family.

Free Training

We pay for your EMT and Paramedic certifications through our apprenticeship program. Zero out-of-pocket cost to you.

Competitive Pay

Earn competitive wages with opportunities for overtime. Pay increases as you advance through certifications.

Flexible Scheduling

Full-time and part-time positions available with schedules that work around your life and training.

Modern Equipment

Work with state-of-the-art equipment including HALOS body cameras, Samsara telematics, and Route Genie CAD dispatch.

Family Culture

Small company, big heart. You're not a number here -- you're part of the Carolina First EMS family.

Real Growth

Clear career path from Driver to EMT to Paramedic. We promote from within and invest in your future.

Current Opportunities

We're always looking for dedicated professionals to join our team. Click Apply Now to get started.

Ambulance Driver / Wheelchair Van Driver

Full-Time & Part-Time | Columbia & Elgin, SC

Eligible for our free EMT apprenticeship program -- advance your career at no cost to you.

Start your career in EMS as a driver with Carolina First EMS. No medical certifications required -- just a clean driving record, a passion for helping people, and a willingness to learn. This is the entry point to our apprenticeship pipeline where we'll train you to become an EMT at no cost.

What You'll Do

  • Safely transport patients to and from medical appointments
  • Assist patients with boarding and exiting the vehicle
  • Operate wheelchair lifts and secure wheelchair tie-downs
  • Maintain vehicle cleanliness and perform daily inspections
  • Communicate with dispatch via Route Genie CAD system

Requirements

  • Must be at least 21 years old
  • Valid South Carolina driver's license with clean driving record
  • Must pass background check and drug screening
  • CPR/First Aid certification (or willingness to obtain)
  • CDL preferred but not required

EMT

Full-Time & Part-Time | Columbia & Elgin, SC

Eligible for our free Paramedic apprenticeship program -- take the next step at no cost to you.

As an EMT with Carolina First EMS, you'll provide patient care during transports. You'll work on our ambulances, monitoring vitals and ensuring patient safety throughout every trip. We hire EMT-Basic and EMT-Advanced. Already certified EMTs are welcome, and current drivers can earn their certification through our free apprenticeship program.

What You'll Do

  • Provide BLS-level patient care during ambulance transports
  • Monitor and document patient vital signs
  • Operate and maintain medical equipment (oxygen, AED, suction)
  • Complete patient care reports accurately
  • Assist with stretcher and stair chair operations

Requirements

  • Must be at least 18 years old
  • Current South Carolina EMT-B or EMT-A certification
  • Valid SC driver's license
  • Current CPR/BLS certification
  • Must pass background check and drug screening

Paramedic

Full-Time | Columbia & Elgin, SC

Top of the career ladder -- our apprenticeship program can get you here from day one as a driver, completely free.

Paramedics at Carolina First EMS provide the highest level of pre-hospital care on our units. You'll handle advanced assessments, medication administration, and critical patient transports. Whether you're already a Paramedic looking for a great team, or an EMT ready to advance through our free apprenticeship, we want to hear from you.

What You'll Do

  • Provide ALS-level patient care and monitoring during transports
  • Perform advanced patient assessments
  • Administer medications and IV therapy as needed
  • Lead the ambulance crew on every call
  • Mentor EMTs and drivers on the team

Requirements

  • Current South Carolina Paramedic certification
  • Valid SC driver's license with clean record
  • Current ACLS and PALS certifications
  • Must pass background check and drug screening

Dispatch Coordinator

Full-Time | Elgin, SC (Office)

Our dispatch coordinators are the backbone of our operation. You'll manage the Route Genie CAD system, coordinate crews, communicate with facilities, and ensure every patient gets picked up on time. Dispatching experience preferred but we'll train the right person.

What You'll Do

  • Manage daily transport scheduling and crew assignments
  • Operate the Route Genie CAD dispatch system
  • Communicate with facilities, patients, and crews
  • Handle incoming transport requests and phone calls
  • Monitor Samsara fleet telematics for real-time vehicle tracking

Requirements

  • Strong communication and organizational skills
  • Comfortable with technology and learning new software
  • Dispatch or scheduling experience preferred
  • Must pass background check

Don't See Your Role?

We're always interested in hearing from talented people. Reach out and tell us about yourself.

Contact Us