Professional Appearance Positively Represents Your Healthcare Practice

Do you have a dress code policy in your healthcare practice? You might be in the front office or a healthcare provider. You might wear uniforms, lab coats, or business clothes. Regardless of your interaction with clients, customers, suppliers, contractors, or volunteers, the appearance of employees at your business supports your business image brand.

Patients and their families have reasonable expectations that their healthcare providers and employees at the clinic present themselves in a professional manner both in demeanor and appearance.

Why have a healthcare practice dress code policy?

Dress code policies, procedures and training will help to ensure a professional and consistent appearance of employees while also positively representing and supporting your business brand.

• A policy provides guidance in making choices about clothing and appearance, for all staff.
• The professional appearance of your staff supports the image and positive reputation of the clinic.
• Use of uniforms and name badges creates a greater level of security and recognition for staff and patients.

What are some dress code guidelines?

General Guidelines:

If you do not have direct patient contact (i.e., billing clerk, consulting pharmacist, receptionist) wearing uniforms is optional. If you choose not to wear a uniform or lab coat, consider these guidelines when choosing clothes at the office:

Name Badges:

• Help to identify you to our patients and clients.
• Are provided by the clinic to each employee.
• These are to be worn at all times.
• If you are not wearing a name badge, you may be denied entry into restricted areas of the clinic.

Shoes:

• Closed toes and closed heels or heel straps.
• No high heels or built-up soles such that it could endanger yourself or patients.
• Non-slip footwear.

Hair:

• Clean and neatly groomed.
• Long hair should be tied back during patient treatment or when operating machinery.

Clothing:

• Clean, neat and in good repair and allows for full performance of all duties.
• T-shirts and tank tops are not permitted. Polo shirts or styled cotton tops with pockets are acceptable. Discrete, non-inflammatory images and logos are permitted.
• Sweatshirts are not suitable in direct patient care areas.
• Tops need to be long enough and high enough to provide adequate coverage of abdomen, back and chest.
• Fragrances should be avoided.
• Jewelry, tattoos and body piercings must be discrete and provide no risk to the wearer or patient.

If you have direct patient contact (i.e., physicians, MOA, nursing, physiotherapist):

Clothing must meet infection control standards for the benefit of patients and to you and your family. The type of work that you do may require additional considerations.

No artificial nails are permitted.

In the interest of health and safety of our patients and our employees, no artificial fingernails are permitted. Artificial nails have been demonstrated to interfere with effective hand washing hygiene and has contributed to healthcare acquired infections.

When we know better, we do better

Download  the Practice Management Success Tip, ‘Dress Code Policy'.

Discuss with your team the importance of professional attire and overall appearance.

The free Practice Management Success Tip, Dress Code Policy, will help you

• Discuss with your team the importance of professional attire and overall appearance.
• Review the professional work standards expected of each staff member, regardless of their role.
• Guide discussions with your team, get their feedback and input, customize a procedure that you can use right away in your practice.