10.4. Professional Dress
The IHP PA Program enforces a dress code in all learning environments and students are expected to dress accordingly at all times.
Guidelines for professional dress include:
- Tops
- Shirts must adequately cover the body and midriff when standing, sitting or bending forward
- Shirts must not have graphics, pictures, sayings or cartoons
- Shirts must not have visible rips or tears
- Hooded sweatshirts are not acceptable
- Spaghetti strap tops are not acceptable
- Tube tops are not acceptable
- Pants and shorts
- Pants and shorts must adequately cover the body when standing, sitting or bending forward
- Pants and shorts must not have graphics, pictures, sayings or cartoons
- Pants and shorts must not have visible rips or tears
- Shorts must be at least mid-thigh length
- Jeans of any kind are not acceptable
- Skirts and Dresses
- Skirts and dresses must adequately cover the body when standing, sitting or bending forward
- Skirts and dresses must not have graphics, pictures, sayings or cartoons
- Skirts and dresses must not have any visible rips or tears
- Skirts and dresses must be at least mid-thigh length
- Dresses with spaghetti straps are not acceptable
- Hats
- Hats may not be worn unless for religious reasons
- Shoes
- Shoes must be clean and in good condition
- Dressy sandals are acceptable in warm weather
- Flip-flops are not acceptable
- Slippers are not acceptable
- Scrubs
- Scrubs may only be worn as required for labs and in designated classroom or clinical settings
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. For practical examinations, professional business attire is required (sneakers are not 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.
- 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: