Wis. (WLAX/WEUX) – A new partnership between Gundersen Health System and Western Technical College aims to address a statewide shortage of paramedics. The paramedic trainee program will allow current EMTs to study to become paramedics in as few as 10 months.

While attending the program, the EMTs will work in Gundersen’s emergency services on the La Crosse campus and Tri-County Hospital in Whitehall. They will also work for Gundersen Ambulance, Tri-County Ambulance, and Gundersen Tri-State Ambulance. 

“Paramedics are kind of frontline emergency response personnel. Many healthcare fields were particularly challenged and stressed over the last several years of the pandemic.”

Gundersen will pay participants to take part in an accelerated curriculum provided by western. The program begins March 6 so interested EMTs are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.