YEMS is dedicated to providing the highest level of patient care and emergency medical services to the Yale community. In order to work EMS standby shifts as a full member of a crew, YEMS members must meet all compliance requirements listed below and maintain good standing as members of YEMS.
Associate Membership
YEMS Associate Membership is a new program aimed at getting more of the Yale community involved in YEMS projects and events. This program is open to all motivated students who are interested in helping plan YEMS community outreach, educational initiatives, mental health workshops, social events, and more. Associate members will eventually have access to YEMS resources, educational opportunities, Dwight Hall cars for transportation to local EMS agencies, and shift observation as space allows.
Applications for Spring 2024:
Please fill out this form by 2/16/2024 at 5 PM EST to apply for YEMS membership: https://forms.gle/JwKpqnH7YT8HF3CX8
Associate Membership Interest Form: https://forms.gle/hib1UvC1DA1UoSub7
Good standing requirements
In order to work EMS standby shifts as a full member of a crew, you must be a member in good standing with YEMS. To be in good standing, you must hold current State of Connecticut certification as an EMT as well as current National Registry certification at the EMT-Basic level and must satisfy all YEMS compliance requirements outlined below. Members must also be familiar with and abide by the YEMS Standard Operating Procedures available for review on the YEMS internal group management website. In order to maintain good standing and active membership status in YEMS, you must sign up for a minimum number of scheduled shifts at the beginning of each semester and must attend regularly-scheduled continuing education and practical skills review sessions held by the Executive Board about twice a month.
Compliance requirements
1. EMT certification
You must hold current State of Connecticut certification as an EMT (with a valid CT certification number). Graduates of the EMT class should schedule their state practical exam (which is independently administered at several locations throughout Connecticut) as soon as possible. Upon passing both the NREMT written exam and CT State Practical exam, you will receive an NREMT number and will be issued State of Connecticut EMT certification by the state Office of EMS.
If you hold EMT certification in another state, you will need to apply for reciprocity. Additionally, you will need to provide proof of good standing.
2. Membership Application
Upon receiving EMT certification (or having passed exams and waiting on the state to process certification), complete the YEMS Application, which requires a brief explanation of your certification status and why you are interested in becoming a YEMS member.
If eligibile, you will be granted access to the YEMS Yale Connect portal and be provided information on how to submit your First-Time Compliances. You will need proof of all compliances listed below to obtain full membership.
3. Read the YEMS Standard Operating Procedures and Bylaws
Available for review on the YEMS internal group management website on Yale Connect.
4. State and University Compliance Requirements
The following compliance requirements are mandated by Yale University and/or the State of Connecticut Office of EMS and are required for all YEMS members. Most requirements can be managed and completed online through the Yale training website at yale.edu/training (login with your Yale NetID). All of these requirements need only be completed once, except where otherwise stated. You must upload PDFs of your NREMT license, CT State license, CPR card, proof of completion for each course and a copy of your training transcript on the Yale Connect portal under the “First-Time Compliances” form.
Online Training*
- HIPAA for Clinical Care Providers
- HIPAA General Security
- TB Awareness
- Bloodborne Pathogens (annually)
- YUHS Code of Conduct
- Yale Health Annual Safety Training (annualy)
- FEMA ICS 100
- FEMA ICS 700
* Note about online training: You must be connected to Yale Wifi. If you are on campus you will be automatically connected to the training portal. If you are off campus, you must use a VPN. Instructions for how to use one can be found here.
Immunizations
- PPD (TB skin test): required at time of hire, available at Yale Health free of charge for YEMS members
- MMR
- Tetanus
- Hepatitis B
HEPA Mask Fitting
- You must be fitted for a HEPA mask by Yale Environmental Health & Safety. Schedule a mask fitting through the Yale training site. Click here for a schedule of classes.
5. emsCharts account (after completion of Steps 1-4 above)
Following completion of Steps 1-4 above, you will be eligible to begin field training shifts with a supervising EMT. Contact jake.todd@yale.edu to request a login and account for emsCharts, our e-PCR software; you will learn how to use emsCharts during your field training shifts.
6. Probationary Process & Field Training Shifts
You must work a minimum of three field training shifts with a Supervising EMT (a member of the Executive Board or a similarly qualified EMT designated by the Executive Board), during which time you will receive experience in working with patients, checking and preparing equipment, radio operations, and electronic run form documentation using emsCharts Mobile.
Upon completion of the compliance requirements, details regarding how to sign-up for shifts and the probationary process will be provided.
7. YEMS Uniform
When you have been cleared from field training, you will be issued a YEMS uniform shirt. The uniform shirt must be worn with full-length navy blue EMS pants (no jeans, shorts, or sweatpants; EMS pants are strongly recommended) and dark closed-toe boots (EMS boots recommended). For new members who plan to work shifts on a regular basis, or those who wish to volunteer with a local EMS ambulance service, it is strongly advised that you purchase a good pair of EMS pants and boots, which can be ordered online or through a handful of nearby public safety supply stores; contact any member of the Executive Board for more information. In the event of cold or inclement weather, YEMS job shirts and high-visibility jackets are available in the equipment room to be used during your shift and returned to the room at the end of your shift.
8. Continuing Education and Training Requirements
All full members of YEMS are required to undergo continuing education and training requirements in order to maintain good standing. Continuing education involves two distinct elements: call reviews, and practical skills reviews. Both are held approximately every two weeks at required YEMS membership meetings; contact ava.boston@yale.edu to request a specific topic or call to be reviewed at the next session. YEMS employs a stringent quality assurance process through which all electronic patient run forms must pass, and a member of the Executive Board reviews every electronic chart before advancing it to the regional level. The Executive Board will flag items in your chart that require your attention or need to be addressed and will take further action as necessary.