Dress Code for Faculty and Students

Dress Code for Faculty and Students

Alliance for Clinical Education Recommendations

July 2008

A standard of personal grooming, dress, and hygiene is important to ensure a safe environment conducive to the delivery of health care services. The appearance of students and faculty can affect the confidence that patients have about the care students provide.

The ACE dress code includes but is not limited to the following guidelines:

Hair

Clean, well-groomed, and off the shoulders.

Beards, mustaches, and sideburns must be neat, trimmed, and well groomed.

Extreme hairstyles and unnatural/exotic colors are not acceptable.

Jewelry

Jewelry should be professional in appearance. The amount of jewelry worn should not be excessive.

Visible body piercing with adornments other than ears is not acceptable.

Jewelry should not come in contact with patients, the work area, or be such that it may cause a safety issue.

Cosmetics

Heavy use of makeup, lotions, perfumes, colognes, and after shaves is not acceptable.

Heavy scent of tobacco, food, and other products may be offensive and is not acceptable.

Smoking/Gum Chewing

Most hospitals are non smoking. Agency policy is to be followed regarding locations for smoking.

Chewing gum is not permissible when interacting with patients.

Clothing

Clean/pressed school scrubs/uniforms in accordance with agency/school guidelines are acceptable.

Instructors are to wear lab coats to distinguish them from students.

All students and instructors must wear picture school ID badges, which are clearly visible at all times.

Tattoos

Visible tattoos must be covered according to agency and school policies.

Footwear

Hose or socks must be worn.

Sandals, open toe shoes, beach, shower shoes, or flip flops are not acceptable.

Open heel foot wear, such as clogs, must follow agency policy.

Footwear selection must be safe, clean, professional, and in good repair.

Nails

Artificial nails and overlays are not allowed in patient care areas per Center for Disease Control.

Nails must be kept short and clean.

Personal Communication and Entertainment Equipment

Personal electronic devices such as cell phones, headphones, radios or other such devices are not allowed.

Any specific questions regarding appropriate dress code, standards of conduct and identification practices should be directed to the agency and school.

July 2008 Reference: Swedish Medical Center Policy 8711.278 Personal Appearance & Dress Policy