10.4. Professional Dress
The IHP PA program will enforce a dress code in the classroom. Students are expected to dress in a professional manner at all times, while maintaining a certain level of personal comfort and choice of dress during their time in class. Below are guidelines agreed upon by the IHP PA faculty and staff for the purposes of guiding students in adhering to a professional dress code for all classroom sessions:
What's okay:
Imagine you’re working in a tech start-up company where it’s important that you make a good impression on folks (new clients and potential sponsors are coming in all day to learn about your product), but the atmosphere is relaxed and collegial. Tops may be casual and comfortable, but always professional. Khaki pants or button up-style shorts would be common. You could wear a comfortable summer dress or modest skirt. You might wear sandals, dress shoes, boat shoes, or hiking boots. In a professional setting, shirts must cover the midriff and pants must adequately cover the body when sitting or bending forward.
What not to wear:
Here’s an example of things that would not be okay in the above setting and are not acceptable here:
- T-shirts, sweatshirts, tops with graphics (pictures, cartoons, sayings)
- Athletic wear or gear of any kind
- Jeans, torn or worn pants, mid-thigh or higher skirts, sweatpants, pajamas, gym shorts
- Beachwear, strapless or spaghetti strap dresses or tops, halter tops, low cut or revealing tops
- Scrubs (unless required for lab or clinic)
- Hats of any kind (unless for religious reasons)
- Flip-flops, slippers
For physical diagnosis classes, the student must wear clothing that allows free movement and access to the body parts being studied. Tank tops, shorts, and socks with close-toed shoes are typically acceptable.
In the clinical setting, unless otherwise specified by the guidelines of the clinical site or preceptor, and in all on-campus clinical encounters/simulations, professional business attire is required. Additionally, in all clinical encounters, on and off campus, the following guidelines must be observed:
- Clean short white lab coats with program-issued name tags identifying individuals as "Physician Assistant Students" must be worn at all times. Hospital- or clinic-issued I.D. badges do not replace the program-issued name tags.
- Jewelry: 2-3 simple rings on the hands and one or two pair of small stud earrings in the ears are appropriate. Nose and tongue studs are not allowed. No dangling jewelry of any kind.
- Perfume is an allergen and should not be worn.
- Excessive makeup is not allowed.
- Nails should be according to CDC recommendations: short and neatly trimmed.
- Only clear or light neutral nail polish may be worn
- Close-toed, low heeled shoes must be worn.
- Hair must be worn away from the face and off the shoulders. Facial hair must be neat and trimmed.
What not to wear:
What not to wear: