Dress Code Policy
As a representative of the UMES Physician Assistant Program, a student’s personal appearance is an extension of the Program and will, to some degree, determine how customers, patients, and colleagues view the student, the program, and the profession of Physician Assistant.
The following standards for attire apply to all students enrolled in the UMES Physician Assistant Program. These standards shall be followed during all hours in which the School is open to the public (generally 8:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M., Monday through Friday) and cover any Clinical site.
The School of Pharmacy and Health Professions and Physician Assistant Department has established a business casual dress code to allow our students to work and study comfortably in the classroom, laboratory and clinical settings, as well as project a professional image for customers/patients, potential employers, and school visitors.
Casual clothing is not suitable for Physician Assistant students expect during assessment days; therefore, these guidelines will help the student determine what is appropriate to wear to class, laboratory or clinical sites. Clothing that works well for the beach, yard work, dance clubs, exercise sessions, and sports contests are not appropriate for a professional appearance. Clothing that reveals cleavage, back, chest, stomach or underwear is not appropriate for the school. Torn, dirty, or frayed clothing is unacceptable. Any clothing that has words, terms, or pictures that may be offensive to other students, faculty or staff is unacceptable.
Guide to Business Casual Dressing for the PA Department
In addition to the above guidelines, a more specific overview of appropriate business casual attire is being provided below. Items that are not appropriate for the office are listed too. Both lists are all-inclusive and both are open to change. The lists tell a student what is generally acceptable as business casual attire and what is generally not acceptable as business casual attire.
No dress code can cover all contingencies so students must exert a certain amount of judgment in their choice of clothing to wear to the Program. If a student experiences uncertainty about acceptable, professional business casual attire for the Program, the student should ask the Program Director, Didactic Education Director, or Clinical Education Director.
Slacks, Pants, and Suit Pants
Slacks that are similar to Dockers and other makers of cotton or synthetic material pants, wool pants, flannel pants, dressy Capri, and nice-looking dress synthetic pants are acceptable. Inappropriate slacks or pants include jeans (pants which contain rivets), sweatpants, athletic pants, Bermuda shorts, short shorts, shorts, bib overalls, leggings, and any spandex or other form-fitting pants people wear for biking or exercise. Pants must be worn properly at the hips. No student shall dress in a way that his/her underwear is partially or totally exposed and proper undergarments shall be worn.
Skirts, Dresses, and Skirted Suits
Casual dresses and skirts, and skirts that are split at or below the knee are acceptable. Dress and skirt length shall be no shorter than one inch above the knee (when standing). Short, tight skirts that ride halfway up the thigh are inappropriate for the Program. Mini-skirts, skorts, sun dresses, beach dresses, and spaghetti-strap dresses are inappropriate for the Program.
Shirts, Tops, Blouses, and Jackets
Casual/dress shirts (for males, shirts must have a collar), sweaters, tops, tailored blouses, golf-type shirts, and turtlenecks are acceptable attire for the Program. Most suit jackets or sport jackets are also acceptable attire for the Program. Inappropriate attire for the Program includes tank tops, midriff tops, spaghetti straps, tube tops, swim tops, shirts with potentially offensive words, terms, logos, pictures, cartoons, or slogans, halter-tops, tops with bare shoulders, hoodies, sweatshirts and articles of fleece, and t-shirts unless worn under another blouse, shirt, jacket, or dress. Additionally, students should wear professional lab coats with name tags during school related health fairs and campus activities.
Shoes and Footwear
Conservative athletic or walking shoes, oxfords, loafers, clogs, boots, flats, dress heels, and leather deck-type shoes are acceptable for the Program and shall be clean and in good condition. Flashy athletic shoes, thongs, flip-flops, slippers, platforms, work boots, hiking boots, and any non-dress shoe with an open toe are not acceptable in the program. Closed toe and closed heel shoes are required in laboratories.
Hats and Head Covering
Hats, caps, and other head gear may not be worn in the building halls aforementioned during the hours that the dress code is in effect. Only headgear worn for bona fide religious purposes or to honor cultural tradition is permissible.
General Personal Care Standards
Adequate precautions shall be taken to maintain good personal hygiene. These precautions include regular bathing, use of deodorants and regular dental hygiene.
Hair Maintenance
Hair shall be neatly groomed and clean, styled off the face and out of the eyes. Hair longer than shoulder length shall be secured. Spiked hair is not allowed.
Cologne, Perfume or Aftershave
The use of cologne, perfumes, body sprays, scented body lotions or aftershave shall be used with restraint. It is not recommended in the patient care setting due to patient allergies and sensitivities.
Cosmetics
Cosmetics shall be applied in good taste and moderation.
Skin
No tattoos or body piercings are allowed to be visible (other than earrings).
Nail Maintenance
Nails shall be well groomed, manicured and of short to medium length that will not interfere with the patient’s care.
Jewelry
Jewelry and accessories shall be non-distracting and in good taste, with limited visible body piercing. Gauges or stretchers are not appropriate. Soldered jewelry will not be appropriate for the Clinical Year specifically the surgery rotation and sterile procedures; thus, will need to be removed.
Dress-down Casual Days
At certain times the Program Director or designated member of the PA Faculty may declare a dress-down day. Clothing should be in good condition, not torn or worn out. On such days, the guidelines for Business Casual found above remain in effect except jeans, t-shirts and sweatshirt may be worn. All other restrictions pertaining to casual clothes still apply. The prohibition of potentially offensive words and logos continues, as does the prohibition of tank-tops, shorts and flip-flops.
Dress Code in a Clinical Setting
White Coats
Student-style white coats are required for clinical settings and during certain laboratory sessions, clinical activities, simulation exercises, clinical competency evaluations and any other times as designated by the Course Director. They must be clean and neat. They will possess the UMES Physician Assistant Student patch on the left upper arm with the student’s full name embroidered on the pocket. Exceptions to this rule on clinical site are at the discretion of the clinical preceptor and must be approved by the Clinical Education Director. If wearing scrubs outside the operating area, a clean white coat should be worn over scrubs.
Scrubs
In general, scrubs should not be worn outside of clinical courses, the hospital or clinic. Scrubs are expected to be clean when worn in a public area and should be covered with a white coat. The student’s ID Badge must be worn outside the white coat. Scrubs may be worn only as delineated by individual clinical sites or course instructor.
Shoes
Footwear must be clean, in good condition, and appropriate. For safety reasons, open-toed shoes and sandals are not allowed in patient care areas or designated laboratory components of didactic courses.
Style
No sweatshirts or shirts with messages, lettering or logos (except UMES). No shorts, cut-offs, etc. Jeans are not to be worn even if it is clinical site policy to allow providers to wear jeans!
Fragrance
Do not wear colognes, perfumes or scented lotions in clinical settings as patients may be sensitive to fragrances.
Hands
Fingernails must be clean and short to allow for proper hand hygiene, use of instruments, prevention of glove puncture and injury to the patient. Artificial nails and decorative nail designs are discouraged. Some clinics/hospital settings do not permit any colored polish.
Hygiene
Daily hygiene must include personal cleanliness, including use of deodorant. Clothing should be clean, pressed, and in good condition, including the white coat.
Hair
Mustaches, hair longer than chin length, and beards must be clean and well-trimmed. Students with long hair who participate in patient care should wear hair tied back to avoid interfering with performance of procedures or having hair come into contact with patients.
Jewelry
Jewelry should not be functionally restrictive or excessive. Students should avoid wearing long or dangling earrings for their own and for patient safety. There should be no visible jewelry in body piercings with the exception of earrings. In the case of religious requirement, certain piercings may be acceptable. Please consult the Program Director or the Program Director’s designee if you have a religious requirement for piercings. No other facial jewelry (e.g., tongue, eyebrow piercings, etc.) is allowed.
Tattoos
Tattoos shall be appropriately covered when possible.
