31 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 RISP faculty.
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 or not wearing the appropriate uniform, has an unprofessional appearance, or is otherwise violating the dress code policy. This includes but is not limited to uniforms that do not fit appropriately (i.e.: uniforms that are too baggy, dragging the floor, too tight). Abuse of the uniform policy will result in clinical-grade reduction. Surgery scrubs are never to be worn home, nor should they be worn in the department if not on a surgery rotation. Disciplinary action may be recommended for repeated dress code violations.
The required student uniform is any style of Cherokee brand scrubs in the wine color. These can be purchased at a variety of places.
The basic uniform will consist of solid color Cherokee brand pants and the same solid 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 or Cherokee wine color 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 appropriate white/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 A.S. Clinical Coordinator if they have questions about shoes or apparel before purchasing articles to wear to the clinic.
The only time it is acceptable to wear blue hospital scrubs is when on a surgery rotation day.
Inappropriate and Unacceptable Clinic Attire
Examples of unacceptable attire include, but are not limited to: extremely long, ill-fitting white lab coats/ warm-up jackets; ill-fitting uniforms; clogs or mules; leather tennis shoes that have colored decorations; non-leather shoes; sandals or open-toed shoes, slingbacks, or backless shoes; hoodies; fleece outwear; jeans; stretch knit or athletic (sweat) pants; bareback, bare midriff, off the shoulder, or low neckline tops of any type; body-hugging clothing; shorts; sunglasses (without a medical reason); large hair accessories, head coverings (except as required professionally or for religious reasons); clothing with pictures/writing. This type of attire is not permissible for any student while on clinical rotation.
Students must abide by hospital dress guidelines regarding wearing hospital-issued scrub suits. Check with the RISP faculty member at the hospital 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 the clinic from home or to the program office).
Clinical Attire Standards
- Identification Badge – The RISP student picture ID nametag must be worn at all times 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 Device – The student must wear a radiation monitoring device while in clinic. The badge type 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. Students not wearing a radiation monitoring device 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.
- Lead Markers – Each student must maintain possession of a permanent set of right (R) and left (L) markers at all times in the clinical setting. Students who lose one or both markers must replace them as soon as possible. A new set can be purchased from any website that sells such markers (ex: pbmarker.com). Students are required to use the standard blue and red markers while in the radiography program.
- 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.
- 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 student’s or patient’s safety or the ability of the student to participate in clinical activities. Minimal amounts of make-up are allowed. 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. No other piercings in the ear are not 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 should be labeled unscented if it is to worn to clinic.
Dress Code Policy Violations
Penalties are cumulative throughout the entire program
| 1st offense | Written warning |
| 2nd offense | -1/3 letter grade reduction |
| 3rd offense | -2/3 letter grade reduction |
| 4th offense | -1 full letter grade reduction & probation |
| 5th offense | Course failure and program dismissal |
Students completely out of uniform (i.e.: street clothes) will be sent home, charged with a p-day, and (-1/3) letter grade reduction.
