RADIOGRAPHY SCHOOL DRESS CODE POLICY POLICY: Because the professional image of the staff and students presents an important message to our patients and their families, Children’s Hospital Medical Center of Akron (CHMCA) students are expected to display a neat, clean, and professional appearance at all times. This policy presents general dress code guidelines and addresses the safety aspects of personal grooming and attire. Many hospitals require that students wear a distinctive uniform for easy identification. Uniforms furnished by the hospitals remain the property of that organization and must be returned along with all other hospital property at the time of graduation or withdrawal from the program. I. GENERAL GUIDELINES The very nature of a hospital requires cleanliness, neatness, and the promotion of good health. Your appearance is a reflection of that medical facility’s standard of care, not only to patients and visitors, but to the community. Students are expected to display the highest standard of personal conduct, good grooming, and dress standards. Student attire and appearance must be clean, tasteful, and convey a seriousness of purpose appropriate to a professional medical setting. Proper attire also contributes to both the dignity of the hospital and the student's position as a member of our healthcare team. The following general dress code guidelines must be observed: ! The official uniform of each Clinical Education Center (CEC) must be worn at all times in the clinical setting (as dictated by the CEC). ! On didactic days, Student Radiographers are not required to wear the official uniform, but are expected to dress in an appropriately clean and professional manner. ! Identification badges (key-cards) must be worn at all times with the information clearly displayed, on the front of the body, above the waist, and free from buttons, pins, or stickers that may block the ID photo, student name, or department. ! From time to time, certain CEC’s may make special provision for events (e.g. Spirit Days, dress down days, etc.) and students may be authorized to wear t-shirts, sweatshirts, or other apparel which is generally not considered to be appropriate. At all times, however, the general guidelines of this policy remain in effect. ! Individual accessories and/or items of dress may be prohibited at anytime. If any program official notes inappropriate attire or hygiene, the student may be asked to clock out for purposes of 1 returning home to correct the infraction and the time away will be deducted from the student's personal time. Students who violate this policy may be subject to corrective action(s), up to and including termination. II. GENERAL UNIFORMS A. Rationale: The CEC Radiology Departments associated with this program may not require a specific type of uniform, but may have established standards of appropriate style and colors. These uniforms must be purchased and maintained by the student to conform to the colors and styles already established. The following are guidelines encompassing most of the Clinical Education Center’s (CEC) dress codes. However, your attire must always reflect the dress code policy of your designated CEC. This also applies to when you start your rotations to the other CEC. You will be responsible for wearing the appropriate attire for each CEC assignment. In general, clothing must not be too casual, too tight, too short, revealing, or sexually suggestive. It must be non-offensive and in keeping with customer expectations of appropriateness for a professional environment. Items in the following “Unacceptable Uniforms” list are prohibited and include examples only; it is not to be considered allinclusive: B. Acceptable Uniforms 1. pastel colors or floral prints a. "kiddie" prints (e.g. cartoon characters, animals, etc.) are also acceptable @ the CHMCA clinical setting 2. lab coats over a professional outfit 3. white or navy cardigan sweaters, vest, or pullovers 4. hospital scrubs if assigned to a surgical rotation (according to CEC policy) 5. appropriate undergarments are to be worn at all times; they must not be visible. 6. slacks, pants, or uniform bottoms are to be worn with the waistband at the waist without the “U-seam” hanging to or below the knee area. C. Unacceptable Uniforms 1. scary animals or cartoon characters 2. t-shirts. tube tops, tank tops, & halters (except formal camisoles) 3. shorts, cut-offs, and any tight, sheer (“see-through”), or articles made of Spandex 4. no attire may display logos, drawings, or wording which is political, offensive, or which disparages any group of people or any specific belief 5. garments which expose shoulders (except for sleeveless blouses) or midriffs 6. calf-length slacks or leggings or wearing of patient gowns 2 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. D. visible bare legs and/or feet are not appropriate hooded or belted shirts or sweaters in pants, no rivets, double/welt seams, pegged or stirrup legs bib overalls or blue denim jeans * sweat pants or sweatshirts * a. * Exceptions (1) Hospital logo sweatshirts, mock turtlenecks, or Polo shirts are appropriate unless otherwise determined by the CEC (2) Celebratory (e.g. holiday attire) clothing (per CEC approval) (3) Blue jeans (e.g. Blue Jean Friday fundraisers for the homeless) slacks and/or scrubs are not to be touching or dragging on the ground. Scrubs: Hospital scrubs are distributed by each CEC and are generally reserved for performing clinical tasks in surgical and medical asepsis environments. The wearing of your scrubs in the Radiology Department as a general uniform is strictly determined by the Dress Code policy of the CEC that you are assigned to. When your scrubs become soiled, you turn them back in to your CEC and they will re-issue a replacement set of scrubs and clean your soiled set(s). If your regular uniform becomes soiled while doing your clinical duties, these hospital scrubs may be worn to get you home cleanly, but the scrubs must be returned as soon as possible to the hospital. Scrubs furnished by your CEC remain the property of that organization and must be returned along with all other property at the time of graduation or resignation from the program. III. FEMALE RECOMMENDATIONS A. Radiography requires a certain amount of bending, lifting, and assisting patients. Therefore, uniforms should be opaque and dresses or skirts must be of appropriate length uniforms should be opaque and dresses or skirts must be of appropriate length. B. Acceptable Female Attire 1. uniform pants or slack outfits (recommended) 2. jumper, jumpsuit, or culottes 3. uniform skirts or dresses (acceptable, but not recommended) 4. lab coats over a professional outfit 5. appropriate hospital scrubs 6. white or neutral shades of hosiery a. full length with dress, jumper, skirts, culottes, or slacks b. lower leg length (above malleoli of ankle) with slacks 3 C. Unacceptable Female Attire 1. leggings, stirrups, or spandex pants 2. black or patterned hosiery 3. brightly colored, bikini, or G-cut style undergarments that show through your outer garments 4. short or mini-skirts 5. dangling accessories (e.g. scarves, ties, or belts) that create unsafe conditions for the employees or patients IV. MALE RECOMMENDATIONS A. Male attire should be casual, but professional. B. Acceptable Male Attire 1. lab coats over a professional outfit 2. dress pants with a dress shirt 3. appropriate hospital scrubs C. Unacceptable Male Attire: 1. jeans 2. rolled up sleeves 3. brightly colored, bikini, or G-cut style undergarments that show through your outer garments 4. pants pulled down so that it exposes underwear or skin 5. dress ties V. FOOTWEAR A. Rationale: You will be on your feet a large percentage of the day and your shoes will get dirtier faster than anything you will own. When buying your shoes, choose shoes that are lightweight, comfortable, and easy to clean. While standard nursing shoes or dress shoes are acceptable, the best thing you can purchase are a good, quality pair of tennis shoes. Shoes are to be keep polished, clean, and neat. We recommend you keep an appropriate color of polish in your locker to avoid problems with dirty shoes. 1. Footwear must be appropriate to the duties and responsibilities performed by the individual. For safety reasons, heels and platforms must be low enough to provide stability, and shoes which are open-toed and/or open-back may be prohibited in some areas. 4 B. Acceptable Footwear 1. Nursing shoes 2. Dress shoes 3. Tennis shoes C. Unacceptable Footwear 1. visible bare legs and feet 2. canvas, sandal, open-toe, or sling back styles 3. shoes with flashing lights or other distracting accouterments VI. PERSONAL APPEARANCE A. HAIR & NAILS 1. Rationale: Your general grooming patterns creates the patient’s first impression of you and creates an instant perception by them of your capabilities. Proper grooming can give patients a sense of ease and comfort because the person who cares for themselves, will most likely care for them. 2. Hair, facial hair, and fingernails are to be neat, clean, and well groomed and must not interfere with the requirements of the student’s clinical assignment. Artificial nails in particular have been found to be a source of nosocomial (hospital-acquired) infections that healthcare workers can give to their patients. When leaning over a patient, long hair that is hanging loose is both offensive and can be extremely dangerous if caught in any of the equipment or grabbed by a patient. 3. Acceptable Grooming: a. shoulder length hair must be tied or pulled back in some professional manner b. braids are acceptable but the same rules apply for shoulder length c. Fingernails are to be trimmed and not longer that 1/4 inch beyond the fingertip 4. Unacceptable Grooming: a. bright, artificially colored hair or hair with an odor (from scented hair sprays, shampoos, conditioners, etc.) b. Artificial nail enhancements of any kind are not to be worn. This includes, but is not limited to artificial nails, tips, wraps, appliques, acrylics, gels and any additional items applied to the nail surface. 5 B. JEWELRY 1. Rationale: Many types of rings will scratch or cut a patient that you are lifting. Also, your valuable personal articles may very well be damaged or broken in the daily course of your radiographic duties. 2. Appropriate jewelry (including pierced earrings) may be worn as long as there is no danger of its becoming caught in clothing, being pulled, or causing scratching. Only one stud piercing or one quarter-inch hoop (in addition to earrings) may be worn. A stud must be no larger than the example shape below. Maximum Stud Size - ☺ C. 3. Jewelry may not interfere in any way with the safe performance of job responsibilities. Hoop and dangling earrings or necklaces are especially attractive to the fast, jerking hands of a pediatric or flailing adult patient. If the amount of jewelry you are wearing is perceived by your program faculty to be excessive or potentially damaging to you or a patient, you may be asked remove those articles. 4. Acceptable Jewelry: a. small rings b. post earrings c. necklaces (must be worn inside of your uniform) d. watches or bracelets 5. Unacceptable Jewelry: a. rings that may scratch or injure patients b. hoop earrings or dangling earrings c. dangling necklaces or bracelets d. facial jewelry and/or other body piercing(s) outside of your uniform(includes tongue piercings) e. excessive or potentially harmful jewelry TATTOOS 1. To the extent possible, tattoos are to be covered. Any tattoo that could be construed as offensive or hostile must be covered or removed. 6 D. E. MAKEUP 1. Acceptable Makeup: a. light amounts of makeup b. odorless 2. Unacceptable Makeup: a. dark eye shadow b. heavy eye liner c. dark fingernail polish d. dark lipstick PERFUMES/COLOGNES 1. Rationale: Students must not use any scented product (e.g. perfumes, colognes, and scented hygiene materials, etc.); these may aggravate allergic conditions or cause discomfort to patients, visitors, and fellow staff members. Patients are especially vulnerable and based on the degree of allergy, the use of these products could create a potentially fatal situation. Examples of scented hygiene products includes, but is not limited to: a. hair sprays b. lotions c. powders Last revision date: Last review date: April/2012 March/2013 7