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AP8. Personal Appearance

At the MGH Institute, our personal appearance influences how standardized patients, community partners, guest faculty, speakers, and other faculty and staff perceive us. This is why we have community practices for all students, faculty, staff, and clinical preceptors around proper grooming. All students, faculty, staff, and clinical preceptors should maintain a professional appearance during assessments including skills checks, competencies, practical, and in any instance where interaction with guest patients, standardized patients, or guest speakers is scheduled. These are community practices, therefore cultural and religious considerations, such as head coverings, rings etc. will be respected.

When in the IPC, including when treating patients/clients in the IMPACT Practice Center (IPC), students must follow the IPC dress code. The guidelines below apply for in-class/lab situations (listed below) where professional appearance is required

 

COMMUNITY PRACTICES:

It is our responsibility to honor the practices outlined below during lab assessments (skills checks, competencies, practical), and in any instance where interaction with guest patients, standardized patients, or guest speakers is scheduled.

Non-adherence to these practices may result in professional behavior actions per the student handbook.

 

  1. Attire/General Practices: Clothing must be reasonably clean, and reasonably free of signs of wear. To the extent possible, students are expected to dress in business casual or smart casual attire. Clothing should not be too restrictive or too saggy as these might interfere with appropriate patient care. Since patient examination and intervention demands frequent bending, turning, and stretching, care must be taken that clothing is not overly revealing during these movements. Specifically, clothing must not show any skin or undergarments when bending, stretching, or other movements. In addition, see-through clothing must always be avoided.
    1. Jewelry should be modest with a focus on personal safety and infection control.
    2. At all times, fingernails should be clean, trimmed, and not impair work activities. Artificial nails and nail polish (other than clear nail paint) should be avoided as these may interfere with appropriate performance of certain hands-on skills.
    3. For safety, long hair needs to be pulled back to avoid contact with clients during care and treatment.
    4. Facial hair, including mustaches and beards, must be neat and well groomed.
  2. Identification Badges: Students must always wear their Institute ID, in clear view, above the waist, with photo showing. 
  3.  Personal Care: We encourage the use of anti-perspirant, deodorant or appropriate substitute as needed. We encourage you to minimize use of excessively scented products, such as perfume or cologne during lab assessments due to possible allergic reactions of the standardized patients. Proper oral hygiene, such as brushing one’s teeth, is necessary. Please use your best judgment and always err on the side of caution.
  4. Hats/Sunglasses: Sunglasses or hats are not acceptable.
  5. Piercings: Visible facial piercing jewelry should be minimized for safety.
  6. Undergarments. Patterned or colorful underwear should not be seen through or outside clothing.
  7. Cellular Phones: Personal cell phones not to be worn during lab assessments.
  8. Footwear: Footwear must be reasonably clean and in good repair. You must always wear socks/stockings. Closed-toe shoes are required, and open-backed shoes may be worn as long as the foot is secure.