16 Fit Testing Policy

All RISP students who have the potential to directly care for patients requiring airborne precautions while in the clinical setting are required to be fit tested for an N95 respirator mask. N95 filtering face-piece respirators are air-purifying respirators certified by the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) that protect against airborne contaminants (i.e., dusts, fumes, microbial agents such as tuberculosis bacteria, COVID-19, & flu virus). Fit testing is the process used to determine the appropriate N95 respirator mask (type and size) to ensure consistent and proper mask use. Students may sometimes be required to wear an N95 respirator mask for tasks such as entering isolation rooms and other activities involving close contact with potentially infected persons. All students must comply with the fit testing requirement and schedule a fit testing appointment at the IUI Campus Health Center. All N95 masks will be supplied by either the IUI Radiography Program or the clinical affiliates.

Students will be fitted in the summer of their 1st year in the program before visiting clinical sites. They will only be required to complete a fitting once enrolled in an IUI Radiologic and Imaging Sciences Program. Please arrive clean-shaven for your fitting. If you have a mustache or beard, you will be asked to shave before attending your pre-scheduled appointment. If you do not pass the fit testing, you will need to get approval from your Program Director or Clinical Coordinator to be exempt from participating in clinic when N95 respirator masks are required. Please keep in mind that this could potentially limit your clinical course experience and/or delay your progression in the program.