Frequently Asked Questions
Smith EMS specializes in providing professional medical coverage for sporting events across Minnesota. Whether it’s tournaments, leagues, team coverage, or other athletic events, our experiences EMTs, EMRs, and Paramedics are here to ensure your athletes, staff, and spectators are in capable hands. As your trusted partner in creating safer sporting environments, we’re proud to support Minnesota’s array of sports and engage with the community by adding expert care and preparedness.
For medical clients: event coverage
What types of events do you cover?
Can you ACCOMMODATE last-minute coverage requests?
As much as we’d like to help cover every game on short notice, our team’s availability is dependent upon the current bookings. Most of our medics are scheduled 1-3 months in advance, but we do our best to accommodate urgent requests whenever possible. That said, we prioritize quality over quantity, so we limit the number of events we take on at a time to ensure the highest level of service for each of our partnerships. If you need last-minute coverage, call 763-297-1650 and we’ll work to find a solution for your event or organization.
For medical clients: Billing & payment
For Schools: High school athletics partners are invoiced at the end of each month for events covered during that period. Payment is due within 30 days of receiving the invoice.
For Tournaments/Events: Tournaments and standalone events are invoiced within 2 business days following the final game or event. Payment is also due within 30 days of receiving the invoice.
When will i be charged for the shift?
Why are your rates higher than other ems providers?
Smith EMS prioritizes quality over quantity. Unlike other providers that aim to serve everyone at a low rate—often compromising service quality—we focus on building carefully selected partnerships. This approach enables to deliver premium care and exceptional service to each of our clients.
Our commitment to excellence begins with our medics. By offering above-industry-standard pay to attract top talent and providing ongoing training and clear communication, we ensure our team is fully prepared to serve with professionalism and expertise.
Learn more about our organization, ownership, and team here.
Arrival & Setup: Our medics arrive 30 minutes before your event begins, fully prepared with signage, uniforms, and all necessary materials to keep your athletes safe. They follow a strict uniform policy to ensure they are easily identifiable and ready to assist.
Game Time: During the event, our medics remain attentive and proactive, monitoring athletes, coaches, and spectators to address any medical needs as they arrive in a swift and professional manner.
Departure: After the event concludes, our medics will wrap up any final patient care and advisement, ensuring a seamless wrap-up and offering to assist with your needs prior to leaving.
To learn more about our services and what to expect, visit our Services Page.
For medical clients: Services
what should i expect from your team on event day?
Our medics follow a strict uniform policy, often wearing branded apparel with Smith EMS insignia that is easily recognizable. Additionally, our medics are equipped with signage to post at the event site to ensure contact availability.
How do you ensure medics stay visible at games?
what makes your services different from an athletic trainer?
Athletic trainers focus primarily on injury prevention, rehabilitation, and performance optimization for athletes, while Smith EMS provides comprehensive medical care for everyone at your event, including spectators and staff. Our certified medics are trained to handle a wide range of emergencies, from sports injuries to unexpected medical crises. Our medics often works events in place of athletic trainers, especially for schools or organizations without dedicated athletic training staff, offering a broader scope of care to ensure the safety and well-being of all.
For medical clients: Booking processes
Do you require deposits to secure availability?
For certain events, especially larger tournaments, we may require a deposit. The deposit amount and terms will be discussed during the booking process.
Yes, you can request adjustments to your booking, such as changing the number of medics or shift timing. However, changes are subject to availability and may incur additional fees.
can I adjust my booking?
The Smith EMS calendar is open for booking up to a year in advance. To secure your preferred dates, we recommend booking 1-3 months in advance at a minimum. However, we do accommodate limited last-minute requests as possible dependent upon availability.
how far in advance should I book services?
For medical clients: Safety & compliance
Are you insured?
Yes, Smith EMS operates as a fully insured limited liability company. Smith EMS holds a company professional liability plan and each of our independently contracted medics carry their own professional liability insurance, ensuring cohesive coverage for every event. Ultimately we aim to provide peace of mind for both clients and the patients we serve.
My game requires an EMT onsite, can YOU provide that?
Yes, Smith EMS can provide EMTs for your event. Our team includes a mix of certified Emergency Medical Responders (EMRs), Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs), and Paramedics, allowing us to match the appropriate level of care to your event’s needs. For games requiring an EMT or medic onsite, we offer special plans to accommodate extra standby staffing in case of illness or emergency.
is Smith ems hipaa compliant?
Yes, Smith EMS documents patient care reports while maintaining privacy of protected health information (PHI).
Yes, all Smith EMS medics receive training in concussion recognition and management. While it is outside of the scope of practice to diagnose a concussion onsite, our medics can identify symptoms, provide immediate care, and advise on recommended follow-up.
Are your medics concussion trained?
To work with Smith EMS, you must obtain one of the following credentials, valid in Minnesota:
Emergency Medical Responder (EMR)
Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)
Paramedic
Additionally, all Smith EMS Sports Medics are required to carry valid Basic Life Support (BLS) certifications.
For sports medics: Recruiting
what certification do i need?
The ideal sports medic applying to work with Smith EMS personally aligns with our core values, holds an active lifestyle, and is knowledgeable in both patient care and interpersonal communication.
What makes the ideal sports medic candidate?
The onboarding process is tailored to each medic to provide personalized flexibility based on your experience and needs. All medics begin with our thorough interview process to ensure alignment with our organizational values and knowledge standards. From there, you’ll complete a minimum of 10 hours of training, including our signature “Be the Medic” training program, which focuses on delivering exceptional sports medical care.
Onboarding includes online education modules, such as concussion recognition and management certification, as well as company specific e-learning courses with interactive quizzes to reinforce key concepts. Depending on your prior experience, you may also receive additional mentorship and targeted training in specific skill areas relevant to the sports medical field, ensuring you’re fully prepared to excel on the job.
For sports medics: onboarding
What does the typical onboarding process look like?
As a sports medic, your primary role is to provide onsite medical support by responding to injuries, monitoring potential safety concerns, and ensuring the well-being and performance of all athletes. You’re also paid to actively watch and engage with the game, ensuring you can respond immediately when needed. Additionally, you may assist officials, coaches, and event organizers with operational tasks, going above and beyond to contribute to the overall success of the event.
For sports medics: event expectations
what is my role at athletic events and games as a sports medic?
For sports medics: compensation & scheduling
how are shifts assigned?
Shifts are posted in our scheduling system, and medics can claim available slots on a self-assign, first-come basis.
Here’s an overview of our incentive system:
Medic Referral: Refer a new medic to Smith EMS, and once they’re hired, both you and the referred medic will each receive a $100 bonus.
Client Referral: Refer a new client to Smith EMS, and if they book a shift, you’ll earn $300 for schools and $150 for tournaments, leagues, and events.
These incentives reward you for helping us grow our team and client base while recognizing your valuable contributions.
Do you offer additional incentives or bonuses?
For sports medics: equipment & supplies
do i need my own medical equipment?
Smith EMS medics are responsible for stocking and maintaining their own medical gear. Each medic is required to purchase a medical bag equipped with the essential supplies outlined in our handbook. This ensures you are fully prepared to deliver exceptional BLS care to patients at every shift.
