12 Dress Code Policy

Dress Code Policy

The student uniform guidelines listed below are designed to promote a professional appearance. If doubt should arise as to the appropriateness of a particular uniform or the overall appearance of a student, the matter will be reviewed by the Clinical Coordinator. The faculty members and all hospital and clinical staff working with students (i.e., technologists, nurses and physicians) have the right to send a student home if they feel the student is inappropriately attired, has an unprofessional appearance, or is otherwise violating the dress code policy. Abuse of uniform policy will result in a clinical grade reduction. Additionally, disciplinary action may be recommended for repeated dress code violations.

Required Attire

The required student uniform is any style of Cherokee brand scrubs in the wine color top and black bottoms. These can be purchased at a variety of places. The basic uniform will consist of solid black pants and the wine color shirt or top. A black or white long-sleeved shirt or a black or white sleeveless or short-sleeved t-shirt (t-shirt sleeves may not extend beyond the sleeve or bottom of the uniform top) may be worn under the uniform top for warmth. Thermal type undershirts that can be seen under the uniform top are not appropriate. A white, Cherokee wine color, or black lab coat can be worn over the uniform top for a more professional appearance. NO OTHER COVERUP IS ALLOWED. ALL white or ALL black shoes with white or black hose or socks must be worn with the uniform. Shoes must be made of a non-porous material. Students are advised to talk to the Clinical Coordinator if they have questions about shoes or apparel before purchasing articles to wear to clinic.

Inappropriate and Unacceptable Attire

The following attire is not permissible for any student while on clinical rotation: extremely long, poorly-fitting white lab coats; clogs or mules; tennis shoes with colored decorations; porous shoes; sandals or open-toed shoes, sling backs or backless shoes; hoodies; jeans; stretch knit or athletic (sweat) pants; bare back, bare midriff, off the shoulder, or low neckline tops of any type; body-hugging clothing; shorts; sunglasses (without medical reason); head coverings (except as required professionally or for religious reasons); clothing with pictures/writing.

Students must abide by hospital dress guidelines regarding wearing hospital issued scrub suits. Check with the supervising technologist at the clinical site for areas where students wear hospital scrubs. Hospital issued scrubs are the property of the hospital and may not be worn or taken outside the hospital (e.g., scrubs are not to be worn home, worn into clinic from home or to the program office).

Miscellaneous Standards of Attire

• Identification Badge – The student picture ID nametag (or nametag provided by the facility) must be worn at all times unless working in a sterile environment. It must be worn so that it is easily read, and the picture is visible.
• Personal Hygiene – All students are required to be clean and maintain appropriate personal hygiene regarding their body, hair, and nails. Hair and nails need to be clean and neat and must not interfere with the student’s or patient’s safety or the ability of the student to participate in clinical activities. Hair longer than shoulder length must be pulled back. No extreme styles are permitted. Unpleasant body and mouth odors must be attended to. Male students who wear beards or mustaches must keep them neatly trimmed and groomed.
• Clothing – Students must dress in a manner that is professional and appropriate for clinical activity. Clothes and shoes need to be clean, neat, and in good repair. Pants that are too long should be altered to the appropriate length. Rolling, cutting, or pinning up the material is not allowed. Clothes must be free of wrinkles, soil, stains, odors, tears, and missing buttons.
• Fingernails – Artificial fingernails are not allowed in clinic. Fingernails must be kept short and clean to avoid scratching the patient. Research has shown that chipped nail polish can harbor as many germs as artificial nails. Therefore, nails must be unpainted.
• Jewelry, Cosmetics and Tattoos – Minimal amount of jewelry should be worn to clinic. Jewelry must not interfere with the students or patient’s safety or the ability of the student to participate in clinical activities. No facial, lip or tongue jewelry will be permitted while in clinical activities. No more than 2 earrings per ear and should be studs or short in length. Bars and gauges are not allowed. Minimal amounts of make-up are allowed. Tattoos that are visible must be respectful, not contain inappropriate or offensive images, reference, or languages. Those not considered professional or inappropriate for the workplace are to be covered.
• Food and chewing gum – Chewing gum is not allowed in clinic. Food is not allowed in patient care areas.
• Perfume, aftershave and scented lotions – Due to patient sensitivity from medication or medical conditions, students may not wear any type of scent while in clinic. Hand and skin lotion worn to the clinical site should be labeled unscented.