/Institutions/University-of-Texas-Rio-Grande-Valley/json/som/policies-local.json

/Institutions/University-of-Texas-Rio-Grande-Valley/json/som/policies.json

EAA072 Professional Dress Code Policy

Policy Number: EAA072
Policy Title: Professional Dress Code Policy

A. Purpose

During clinical years 3 and 4, students function as doctors in training rotating through various clinical settings and interacting with a variety of patients, healthcare providers and team members. During preclinical years 1 and 2, students interact with Standardized Patients in simulations of clinical encounters and settings, Professional conduct and appearance are both paramount to assuring patient safety. Professional appearances also helps to foster patient trust, respect, and confidence. Non-adherence to the professional dress code policy may have negative effects on patient care while diminishing the reputation of UTRGV School of Medicine, affiliated hospitals and clinics. This policy provides guidance and minimum standards for professional dress and hygiene.

B. Persons Affected

This policy applies to all UTRGV School of Medicine students engaged in simulated and actual patent encounters.

C. Definitions

Professional Attire
Professional attire is required at all times in both outpatient and inpatient clinical settings and during non-patient care activities related to a clinical rotation. Professional attire refers to business attire as described by the following, including but not limited to:

• White Coat (laundered and ironed/ pressed with no stains).
• Slacks/ trousers (no cargo pants, track pants, yoga pants, legging, or jeans).
• Dress shirts and Blouses.
• Skirts or dresses with a hemline no higher than one inch above the knee.
• No plunging necklines (no cleavage or decolletage visible).
• No midriff exposure.
• Jewelry that does not interfere with patient care.
• Covering of visible tattoos, removal of facial/body piercings, and removal of ear gauges/spikes/bars/chains.
• Closed toed dress shoes that are non-porous, low-heel (no more than 2½" high for women) and comfortable for standing when participating in patient care.

Personal Hygiene & Grooming
Refers to cleanliness, including but not limited to the following:

• Bathing/showering daily.
• Shaving to present facial hair in neat and orderly appearance.
• Combing of hair daily.
• Trimming/cleaning of fingernails regularly.

D. Policy

It is the responsibility of each student to follow all applicable hospital and clinical site dress codes and present in a neat, clean and appropriately dressed fashion while attending all UTRGV SOM clinical rotations and clinical skills sessions. Professional attire is required in all outpatient and inpatient clinical setting or when otherwise designated by each clinical rotation. Minimum standards for dress and professional appearance are as follows:

Hygiene

• Hair must be clean, combed and neatly trimmed or arranged to conform to the safety requirements of the specific work area.
• Facial hair such as sideburns, moustaches, and beards must be neatly trimmed; a beard hood may be required in certain clinical areas.
• Standard full coverage undergarments (bras and underwear) must be worn that are modest and assure the complete coverage of breast and genitals
• Extreme hair colors including but not limited to yellow, green, pink, purple, blue, or fire engine red are not permitted.
• Long fingernails are prohibited when providing direct patient care.
• Body and hair cleanliness is mandatory. Fragrance free bath products and body lotions will not interfere with the health or allergies of the patients, faculty and staff.
• No heavily scented colognes/perfumes, body sprays, cigarette/vape smoke, or incense odor is permitted. All of these aromas may pose a risk to patients, faculty and staff.

Professional Attire

• Clothing such as miniskirts, shorts, tank tops, leggings, yoga pants, sweats, track pants, midriff shirts, jeans, low-rise pants, and any type of athleisure/workout wear are not permitted.
• Clothing must fit appropriately so that inappropriate exposure of the body does not occur during normal work activities.
• White coats should be worn at all times during patient care as deemed appropriate by each clinical rotation (i.e. non-surgical settings). White coats must appear regularly laundered, clean, neat, and ironed. This aids in infection control and elimination of body odor. While wearing a white coat in the clinical setting, medical students are expected to identify themselves as students at all times and must assume responsibility to clarify their role to patients. 
• All visible tattoos should be appropriately concealed so as not to be distracting or offensive to patients.
• Dress shoes are to be closed-toe, non-porous, low-heel (no more than 2½" high for women) and comfortable for standing.
• Scrubs -

• In general, medical students should wear their own clothes (rather than scrubs) for patient care assignments in clinics and when performing inpatient services.
• Scrubs must be worn in compliance with the polices of the institution in which the student is assigned for patient care rotations. They should not be worn in public places outside a clinical facility.
• Scrubs should be clean, free of stains, and without holes.
• Scrubs may be worn in specific patient care areas only, as designated by the clinical site. Outside these areas, students should wear a white coat over their scrubs. 
• Hair covers, masks, show covers, and gowns should not be work outside designated areas unless needed as personal protective equipment,

Jewelry

• Earrings that dangle more than one inch from the ear lobe may not be worn.
• Jewelry with visibly offensive or distracting images and/ or undertones are not permit ted (serpents, goats, naked human images etc.)
• Barbells and/or chains that stretch between ear holes are not permitted.
• Visible body piercing other than traditional singular earlobe piercings should be removed.
• All facial piercings (tongue, nose, cheek, eyebrow, earlobe gauges, ear cartilage spikes/ bars/ piercings, etc.) are to be removed.

Make-up

• "Natural make-up" is best, as patient comfort is key. No extreme or garish make-up like: dark lipstick- black, blue, dark purple, etc., glittery lipstick, eyeshadow, blush or use of any extreme colors is permitted. Application techniques that may make patients uneasy is not permitted.

Reporting concerns about students' dress and appearance 

Faculty, staff, and fellow students who are concerned about a student's dress or appearance should address these concerns directly with the student. If more formal complaint seems appropriate, refer to policy EAA081- Student Professionalism - for guidance.