An effort by one official could help create much-needed EMT jobs (Click here) and create jobs for veterans.

Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar recently created the Veterans-to-Paramedics Transition Act, which would streamline civilian paramedic training for returning veterans who gained emergency medical experience during their military service.

As a result of that bill, an amendment has now been filed to the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act that would ultimately help to reduce the shortage of necessary emergency medical personnel in rural communities while at the same time increasing job opportunities for returning veterans.

"When emergencies happen, families in rural communities should not have to worry about the availability of medical personnel," Klobuchar said. "We have an abundance of returning veterans who have significant medical training and experience. They're an ideal talent pool to relieve the severe shortage of emergency medical personnel in rural communities."

A standard paramedic training program takes one to two years to complete. If passed, the amendment would accelerate and streamline the transition to employment for returning veterans who already have emergency medical training.

The amendment would authorize federal grants for universities, colleges, technical schools and state EMS agencies to develop an appropriate curriculum to train veterans and fast-track their eligibility for paramedic certification.

The pending legislation has been endorsed by the American Ambulance Association, the Minnesota Ambulance Association and the National Rural Health Association.

There are more than 300 licensed ambulance services in Minnesota alone, but 85 percent of them are located outside urban areas. A previous study from the Minnesota Department of Health found that 75 percent of rural EMS providers need more staff and 67 percent have difficulty covering shifts.

Klobuchar's initiative will help the thousands of military personnel looking for civilian work. Even though many military members receive EMS training, it does not count toward certification as a civilian paramedic.