VCOM College Catalog and Student Handbook

exposed for examination and/or palpation, the student must remove the additional layers of clothing and adhere to the following dress: o Upper Body:  Male Students - Bare skin  Female Students - Sports bra or bathing suit top that must expose the spine and ribs, not wide t-back styles.  Students with religious dress requirements may keep on a buttoned-up shirt (either put on backwards or forwards depending on which area of the body needs examined) over their sports bra so that it can be unbuttoned/undraped during evaluation that requires exposure of the upper body. The shirt may be immediately buttoned after that portion of clinical skills training. Should this hinder the learning experience of their partner, the student will be asked to remove the shirt for examination/palpation in their sports bra.  Hats or head coverings (other than for religious purposes) are not permitted in the lab.

 Religious head coverings must be modified when necessary to allow palpation when they would obscure the immediate area to be examined or treated (e.g., head, neck, upper back). Modifications can include adjustment of the covering permitting unobstructed palpation beneath the covering or substitution of a thinner material that allows for adequate evaluation and treatment. The head covering may be immediately replaced after that portion of clinical skills training.

o Lower Body:

 Male and Female Students:

 Shorts which are several inches above the knee (no jean shorts, cut-offs, thick seamed shorts, spandex, short shorts or knee length shorts)  Students with religious dress requirements may keep loose fitting scrubs or sweatpants over their shorts so that they can be rolled up above the knee during evaluation that requires exposure of the lower leg. The pants may be immediately unrolled after that portion of clinical skills training. Should this hinder the learning experience of their partner, the student will be asked to remove the pants for examination/palpation in their shorts.  Shoes must be removed (no shoes are permitted on the tables).

Dress Code in Clinical Settings In addition to the universal hygiene and dress code standards outlined above, in clinical settings professional dress is expected at all times while on duty, except in the surgical suite, delivery room, or emergency room where hospital scrubs may be worn. However, hospital scrubs may not be worn when commuting to and from the hospital. Dress in the clinical setting should never be provocative for male or female students to assure there are no mixed messages to patients or hospital staff. Students should use good judgment here and if there is a question as to the appropriateness of the dress, the student should ask the precepting faculty prior to wearing the item. Male students should wear a collared shirt and tie and a white coat and long pants such as dress pants/chinos/khakis and casual dress shoes. At the discretion of the precepting faculty, a collared shirt or sweater may replace a tie. Female students should wear blouses or tops of professional appearance and a white coat and skirts or dresses of appropriate length or slacks/chinos/khakis and closed-toe shoes. High heel shoes must be short enough to be functional, especially in clinical settings.

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