These free Wisconsin programs will pay your way to a job in healthcare
It's no secret: Wisconsin needs more healthcare workers.
The state could fall short by more than 20,000 nurses by 2040, according to a report last year by the state Department of Workforce Development. Wisconsin is expected to see 32,000 open healthcare jobs statewide each year through 2030.
Statistics like those are causing Wisconsin educators, business leaders and legislators to rethink traditional ways of building the workforce. One result is gaining traction: programs that offer free training and credentialing for those willing to commit to a career in healthcare.
Here's a list of free "earn while you learn" programs in Wisconsin that are open to members of the public.
This list is not comprehensive of all available programs across the state.
Free training to become a certified nursing aide in Wisconsin
A certified nursing aide is an entry-level healthcare role that assists patients with daily needs like bathing, eating and dressing, typically in a nursing home or hospital setting.
WisCaregiver Careers is a federally and state-funded program that covers the cost of obtaining CNA certification in Wisconsin nursing homes. To participate, members of the public apply for employment at one of more than 260 participating nursing homes statewide and work in a variety of capacities while obtaining their CNA. For example, they might work as hospitality aides, activities aides or dietary aides. Or they might work alongside CNAs, assisting them in tasks that do not involve direct patient care.
The program awards a $500 bonus for those who remain employed and in the program for six months.
Who can apply? WisCaregiver has no specific age requirements or other prerequisites, but participants must be eligible for employment at their chosen nursing home.
How many spots are open each year? Up to 2,323 based on current funding. About 2,000 people have obtained CNA certification through the program since it began in spring 2018.
Program length: Training typically takes 75 to 120 hours, plus the time required to study for and take the CNA exam. WisCaregivers is intended to be flexible, meaning there are no required hours worked per week while working toward the CNA.
Other requirements? The program is only for positions in nursing homes, not assisted living facilities.
Pay: Varies by employer, but the statewide average is $17.68 per hour. The program covers the costs of three attempts at passing the CNA exam.
SSM Health, a multi-state, Catholic not-for-profit healthcare system in the Midwest, also manages a CNA training program that is open to the public in Wisconsin.
Who can apply? Applicants must be 18 by the time they complete the CNA training.
How many spots are open each year? About 75 to 100.
Length? 75 program hours, usually completed in five to six weeks.
Other requirements? Students are responsible for paying for medical scrubs and licensing exam fees. Required one-year employment commitment.
Pay: $18 an hour
UW Health also offers free training to become a nursing assistant. At the end of the course, graduates earn their CNA credentials by passing the exam administered by the Wisconsin Department of Health Services.
Who can apply? The minimum age is 16. The course is also available to high school students who complete a CNA youth apprenticeship.
How many spots are open each year? Between 75 and 90
Length? Six to 10 weeks
Other requirements? A one-year employment commitment with UW Health.
Pay: Case-by-case basis, but lowest rate is $17 an hour.
ProHeath Care, a healthcare organization based in Waukesha County, also has a CNA training program open to members of the public.
Who can apply? Anyone age 16 or older.
How many spots are open each year? 40
Length? Six weeks including coursework and clinical requirements.
Other requirements? To participate in the program for free, participants need to commit to working for ProHealth Care for one year. Otherwise, the program costs $500.
Pay: $18 per hour minimum
More: With the need for nurses at crisis level, new apprentice program launches in Madison
Free medical assistant training programs in Wisconsin
Under the direction of a physician, medical assistants are responsible for both clinical and administrative roles in settings like doctors offices, health clinics and outpatient care settings. They might help schedule appointments or maintain medical records, or record patients' vital signs and help them prepare for exams.
The average wage for medical assistants in Wisconsin is about $20 and hour, according to federal 2022 data.
UW Health offers a registered apprenticeship for medical assistants. Apprentices who complete the program sit for the Clinical Certified Medical Assistant credentialing exam.
Who can apply? The program is open to members of the public as well as UW employees. Must have a high school diploma. Generally open to people ages 18 and older, with some exceptions.
How many spots are open each year? 80, half of them UW employees and half external applicants.
Length? About a year, including exam time.
Other requirements? Two-year employment commitment with UW Health. Applicants need six months of experience in healthcare or customer service.
Pay: The starting pay for UW medical assistants is $19.22 an hour.
SSM Health also offers a medical assistant training program that leads to certification as a certified medical assistant:
Who can apply? Anyone age 18 or older with a high school diploma or equivalent.
How many spots are open each year? 20
Length? One year in an accelerated program, two years for a part-time program
Other requirements? Two-year employment commitment with SSM Health.
Pay: Minimum $18 an hour.
Pharmacy technician registered apprenticeship
As the job title suggests, pharmacy technicians work in pharmacies to order and stock medications, prepare them for pickup and assist patients, among other tasks.
UW Health offers a registered apprenticeship for pharmacy technicians. Graduates of the pharmacy technician apprenticeship sit for the Pharmacy Technician Certification exam.
Who can apply? Applicants must have a high school diploma or equivalent and be 18 years old, although those younger than 17 will be considered in some cases. The program is open to the public. Employees of UW Health who apply need to have worked for UW for a minimum of six months.
How many spots are open each year? 48
Length? 18 months
Other requirements? To participate in the program for free, applicants must commit to working for UW health for two years. The program is also offered without a work agreement for a cost of $3,400.
Pay: Case-by-case basis, but lowest rate is $17 an hour.
Ophthalmic assistant registered apprenticeship
SSM Health launched a registered apprenticeship for ophthalmic assistants in August 2023. Ophthalmic assistants support eye doctors, or optometrists, in day-to-day tasks like performing basic eye exams.
Who can apply? Applicants must be 18 years old and have a high school diploma or equivalent.
How many spots are open each year? Seven
Length? 18 months
Other requirements? Two-year employment commitment.
Pay: $19 an hour
Emergency medical technician (EMT) programs
Emergency medical technicians (EMTs) respond to emergency situations, helping transport injured or ill patients to hospitals in ambulances.
Bell Ambulance provides free training to members of the public interested in earning an EMT-B, or basic EMT certification. Training for the program takes place with Lake Country Fire & Rescue.
Who can apply? Applicants must be 18 years old by the time they complete the training.
How many spots are open each year? About 100-125
Length? 200 program hours, typically completed in two to four months, depending on the accelerated versus standard program timeline.
Other requirements? Candidates must pass pre-employment screening and a physical, and have a good driving record. Graduates are expected to pass the EMT-B class and NREMT exam in order to work for Bell.
Pay: Students are paid $16 an hour during class. Once they graduate and pass the exams, they are paid $20 an hour.
Do you know any other programs we should add to this list?
Please contact CKrejci@gannett.com with suggested programs for this list.
Cleo Krejci covers higher education, vocational training and retraining as a Report For America corps member based at the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Contact her at CKrejci@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter @_CleoKrejci. Support her work with a tax-deductible donation atbit.ly/RFADonation
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: For free, these Wisconsin programs pay your way to a job in healthcare
