85 NMT Clinical Uniform / Dress Code

NMT Student Uniform (Dress Code)

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 program director or RISP clinical instructor.  The RISP faculty members and all hospital/clinical staff working with students (e.g. 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 (see Inappropriate and Unacceptable Attire). Failure to abide by the uniform policy may result in point reductions on clinic evaluations. 

The required student uniform is any style of Cherokee brand scrubs in the wine color.  These can be purchased at a variety of places.  At this time, The Uniform House located at 1927 N. Capitol Avenue, Indianapolis (not far from campus) is providing a 15% discount for IU Radiography students. For store hours, ordering, shipping, or more information, contact them at 317-926-4467.

The basic uniform will consist of:

• 1) Solid wine colored pants and the same solid wine colored shirt or top.
• 2) Solid black or white long-sleeved shirt or a solid black or white sleeveless or short-sleeved t-shirt may be worn under the uniform top for warmth.  (t-shirt sleeves may not extend beyond the sleeve or bottom of the uniform top)
• 3) White or wine colored Cherokee lab coat that can be worn over the uniform top for a more professional appearance. NO OTHER COVERUP IS ALLOWED.  *Please note that this is optional for other RISP students. 
• 4) ALL white or ALL black shoes; shoes must be made of a NON-POROUS
• 5) White or black hose or socks must be worn with the uniform.

Students are advised to talk to the Program Director if they have questions about shoes or apparel before purchasing articles to wear to clinic.

Inappropriate and Unacceptable Attire

Examples of unacceptable attire include, but are not limited to: uniforms that do not fit appropriately (i.e.: uniforms that are too baggy, dragging the floor, too tight, extremely long, ill-fitting white lab coats/ warm-up jackets; ill-fitting uniforms; clogs or mules (sling backs or backless shoes); leather tennis shoes that have colored decorations; non-leather shoes; sandals or open-toed shoes; hoodies; thermal type undershirts; fleece outwear; 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); large hair accessories, head coverings (except as required professionally or for religious reasons); clothing with pictures/writing; stained or unkept (severely wrinkled and/or torn) attire. These types of attire are not permissible for any student while on clinical rotation.

 Minimum Dress Code Standards

Identification Badge – The RISP student picture ID nametag must be always worn unless working in a sterile environment.  It must be worn at the collar level so that it is easily read, and the picture is visible. Additional badges, required by affiliated hospitals, must be worn under the ID nametag.  Students not wearing an identification badge will not be allowed to remain in clinic and will be recorded as absent. If the student returns to clinic after getting the badge, the minimum time deducted from the clinical attendance record will be a half p-day.

Radiation Monitoring Devices – The student must wear a whole-body radiation monitoring device and ring badge while in clinic.  The whole-body monitor is to be worn on the torso (between the waist and collarbone) to get the most accurate reading.  When wearing a lead apron, the device should be worn on the outside of the lead. The ring badge will be worn on any finger of the dominate hand with the label facing the palm.  Students not wearing their radiation monitoring devices will not be allowed to remain in clinic and will be recorded as an unexcused absence.  If the student returns to clinic after getting the badge, the minimum time deducted from the clinical attendance record will be a half p-day.  (See Radiation Safety section)

Personal Hygiene – All students are required to be clean and maintain appropriate personal hygiene with regard to 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 that is shoulder length or longer must be secured back or up.  No extreme styles are permitted.  This includes, but is not limited to, colored hair (such as purple, orange, green), spiked hair, Mohawks, etc.  Unpleasant body and mouth odors must be attended to.  Male students who choose not to be clean shaven are allowed to wear beards or mustaches, but they must be neatly trimmed and groomed.

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.

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.

Jewelry, Cosmetics and Tattoos – Minimal amount of jewelry should be worn to clinic.  Jewelry must not interfere with the student’s or patient’s safety or the ability of the student to participate in clinical activities.  No facial, lip, nose, or tongue jewelry will be permitted while in clinical activities.  No more than 2 earrings per ear lobe and they should be studs or short in length.  Other piercings in the ear are not allowed. Minimal amounts of make-up are allowed. Tattoos cannot be visible.

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 should be labeled unscented if it is to be worn to clinic.