Dress Code

Rationale

Students represent the physician assistant profession during all stages of training. Adhering to a dress code is considered a standard of professional conduct and reflects on the student, Department of Physician Assistant Studies, School of Health Sciences and Elon University.

Expectation

Business casual attire is the preferred  style of dress. Specific days will be designated as “dress down days” by the department and in tandem with class representatives.

Clothing-- Didactic

Business Casual

Professional dress that utilizes business casual may consist of the following.

• Pants, slacks, khakis, skirts, or dresses are appropriate; jeans and shorts should not be worn. Legs should be covered to the knee. Dress shoes with a low or flat heel or dress sneakers are acceptable.  Avoid open-toed shoes, flip-flops, or porous shoes.
• Avoid clothing with rips, tears, or frayed edges.
• Clothing should allow for an appropriate range of movement (think CPR) without being revealing.
• Button-down or collared shirts (short or long sleeved, with or without ties), professional tops, or blouses may be worn and should avoid low-cut necklines or exposed midriffs.
• Tank tops, T-shirts, and thin straps on tops are not appropriate.
• Leggings and yoga pants are not considered dress pants and should not be worn as such.

Dress down days and Summer Dress Code Requirements

• Shorts should extend to mid-thigh or lower.
• Skirts should extend to the knee when standing and should rise to no more than 2” above the knee when sitting.
• Denim is acceptable as long as it is without rips, tears, or frayed edges.
• T- shirts should have sleeves and without provocative logos or content.
• Tops, or blouses should avoid low-cut necklines or exposed midriffs.
• Elon scrubs that are clean and wrinkle free are permitted.
• Shoes with low or flat heels are recommended.
• Leggings and yoga pants are to be avoided in this setting.
• Khaki pants, polo shirts, summer dresses knee length with short or long sleeves are acceptable.
• Clean-appearing athletic shoes or dress sneakers in good condition may be worn.

After you have read the above guidelines, if you are unsure about a dress item ask the designated faculty APPC chair before wearing.

Dress and other locations

Students are also expected to follow these guidelines when they are representing the Program in any setting that requires them to interact with the University community, the professional medical community, or the public. Faculty reserve the right to remove students from the classroom or ask them to alter their appearance if they feel they are not achieving this standard.  In the clinical setting there may be adjustments to clothing requirements by medical service type (Emergency Medicine, OB) or the institution providing the clinical rotation experience. Please note that ties may be disallowed in clinic due to sanitary requirements. However, they may be required at other institutional functions (e.g., education sessions).

Anatomy

Attire in anatomy and simulation laboratories: scrubs, optional lab coat, and closed toed sneakers or shoes. No one will be permitted in the anatomy laboratory without safe footwear.

Clinical Skills Labs

For the purpose of learning diagnostic and physical examination skills, students may be asked to dress in gym shorts, jogging pants, sports bras, tank tops, t-shirts, socks, and sneakers for examination practice. Drapes and modesty panels are available.

Faculty teaching clinical skills will advise regarding dress that is appropriate for physical examination in a specific body system. Anatomy and clinical skills lab attire must be worn in the lab area only and not in the classroom area or other areas of the Francis Center unless specific permission is given. Locker room facilities are provided for changing into appropriate clothing for a given class.

White Coat

White coat attire is required for all OSCE’s and standardized patient events.  Professional business attire (a shirt, tie, and dress slacks or a blouse and a skirt or dress) is expected on the days such events are scheduled. The only exception may be emergency medicine practical exams. Students should confirm dress requirement with course director responsible for the event.

Failure to adhere to the dress code standards may be considered a violation of Standards for Professional Conduct, and students may be subject to disciplinary hearings or dismissal for repeated infractions.

Please see Professional Demeanor and Student Dress Code in the Clinical section of this handbook for dress code specifics particular to the clinical phase.