Prerequisites for N95 Mask Fit Test

All students are required to complete N95 fit testing and pre-requisites one time, upon matriculation to medical school, prior to December 1st of their entry year to medical school.  All MS1 students complete the UW School of Medicine’s respiratory barrier protection program (including online training, medical clearance, and respirator fit testing) to ensure their safety and the safety of those within the communities in which they work and learn. Students are responsible for all expenses related to compliance with this requirement, and financial aid adjustments are available to cover these costs. 

Students may be required to wear a respirator for tasks, such as entering isolation rooms and other activities, involving close contact with individuals on respiratory precautions. These are part of standard practices for infection control as recommended by the Occupational Health and Safety Administration, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and Washington State Hospital Association. These standard practices also help meet the School of Medicine’s obligations for clinical onboarding and credentialing under its WWAMI clinical affiliate agreements, UW Administrative Policy Statement 10.4, and UW Respiratory Protection Program. 

The actual in-person N95 respirator fit test cannot take place until after completing the online training and medical clearance process.

Instructions

Below are the two (2) components for respirator protection program that you need to complete no later than November 15th.   

  1. Complete the 3M Medical Questionnaire by November 15th via this link.

    This website will ask students to enter their first name, last name, and employee ID (please enter your UW STUDENT ID in this field)

    If you cannot log in, please contact somcompl@uw.edu.

    The questionnaire will be reviewed by a 3M healthcare professional to ensure medical clearance to wear an N95 respirator.

    A nurse may contact you with follow-up questions via email or over the phone; you must respond to be cleared and compliant.

    3M will provide you with your medical clearance letter. Save this letter so you can print it and bring it to your in-person N95 fit test.

    Students who are registered for Autumn Quarter will be charged a course fee for this requirement which will be included in your tuition. There will be no out-of-pocket expense for the medical clearance requirement.

    3M will provide the SOM with a copy of your clearance letter. We will upload this to Evalue. It will be valid for 5 years.
     

  2. Complete the N95 Filtering Facepiece Training Online by November 15th via this link. No fee is required.

    The first module of this course introduces respirators, covers hazard evaluation, respirator selection, and the UW Respirator Protection Program. The second module focuses on N95 filtering facepiece respirators, detailing their use, design, limitations, and the importance of fit testing. You will also learn how to properly don, seal check, and remove an N95 respirator.

    The course will begin after you click Enroll. The course should take less than 30 minutes, but you can quit and resume if needed.

    Keep a copy of your records. After completing the course, it should appear on your EH&S training record the following business day. You can access EH&S training records and print/save certificates of completion by going to the Track Training Progress page, opening the Report by Individual, and entering your UW NetID.

    Alternatively, you can immediately download a completion certificate from your My Learning page in Bridge. Hover over the course, click Details, then click View Certificate.

    The Compliance Office can access these records, so you do not need to send us a copy.

     

N95 Mask Fit Testing Instructions
N95 Policy Page