CMSV 202 Dress Code

Policy Name: Dress Code

As representatives of a professional graduate program here at the College, the image that you project must be a professional one. It is important to note that presenting yourself as a professional in all manners of appearance, conversation, reaction to criticism, respect for authority, and compassion for all patients and families you come into contact with will project not only upon yourselves, but also upon the reputation of the College’s Master of Science Physician Assistant Program.

Didactic Year Attire (in the classroom)

  • Half-length white lab coats with the College’s program patch attached to the right sleeve and program ID tags clearly identifying the wearer as a College of Mount Saint Vincent Master of Science Physician Assistant Program student are required and will be worn while within the confines of the College. This includes the dining hall and library facilities.
  • Attire will conform to that of business casual.
  • Men should wear conservative slacks and shirts (either collared or button-down), ties are not required.
  • Women should wear conservative slacks/skirts/dresses with shirts/blouses.
  • Both men and women should avoid clothes that are revealing.
  • Athletic wear (jogging pants, sweatshirts, hoodies, etc.) are not permitted.
  • Clean, dress athletic shoes.
  • Head apparel to be worn for religious reasons is allowed.

Didactic Year Attire (clinical experience)
At certain times during the didactic year of study, students will be introduced into the clinical environment during select clinical shadowing experiences with principal faculty. During these times, students will be interacting with other medical professionals within a medical facility to get a better understanding of the duties and responsibilities of the physician assistant student.

Students who will be participating in these shadowing experiences are expected to maintain a professional appearance and demeanor at all times. Specific attire will be required:

  • Half-length white lab coats with the College’s program patch attached to the upper right sleeve. The lab coat must be neat and clean and free of all stains.
  • Program ID tags clearly identifying the wearer as a College of Mount Saint Vincent Master of Science Physician Assistant Program student.
  • Men will attire in business casual slacks (no jeans, or shorts) and no sneakers or open-toed shoes will be permitted. Shirts and ties are required and socks must be worn at all times with shoes.
  • Women should wear conservative slacks/skirts/dresses with shirts/blouses (skirts should be of a conservative length and shirts and blouses should be conservative). No shorts, sneakers, or open-toed shoes will be permitted. Heel height should be conservative.
  • Both men and women should avoid clothes that are revealing.

Dress Code for PD Lab

  • Scrub attire is preferred during all lab sessions.
  • Sneakers may be worn during lab.
  • Half-length white lab coats with the College’s program patch attached to the upper right sleeve. The lab coat must be neat and clean and free of all stains
  • Program ID tags clearly identifying the wearer as a College of Mount Saint Vincent Master of Science Physician Assistant Program student.

Clinical Year Attire

  • In some clinical locations, certain surgical attire (scrubs) may be required. In this instance, the student will follow the protocol of the clinical rotation.
  • Men should wear conservative slacks (no jeans) and shirts.
  • Women should wear slacks/skirts with shirts/blouses (skirts should be of a conservative length).
  • No sneakers or open-toed shoes are permitted, shoes must be worn with socks or stockings; heel height should be conservative.
  • Jewelry, make-up, and cologne are best if conservative and subtle.
  • Hair for both men and women should be worn in a neat, conservative style.
  • Half-length white lab coats with the College’s program patch attached to the right sleeve and program ID tags clearly identifying the wearer as a College of Mount Saint Vincent Master of Science Physician Assistant Program student are required unless otherwise directed by the clinical preceptor.

Clinical supervisors, preceptors, or program faculty reserve the right to remove any student from a clinical site/experience who is not appropriately dressed. If a student is sent home due to inappropriate attire, the student will not be permitted to make up any clinical work, assignments, or experiences for the missed day. Any such episodes will be documented in the student’s file.

Identification
Physician assistant students should be identified by a clearly marked program identification badge while on clinical experiences at other institutions. At minimum, students will introduce themselves as physician assistant students and sign all documentation with their legible full signature followed by ‘PA-S’ or ‘PA student.’ Students should clearly display their current College of Mount Saint Vincent identification while on campus.

At no time should a student, either by virtue of his or her skills or knowledge attained while progressing through the program, misrepresent him or herself as being other than a physician assistant student. While in the program, students may not use previously earned titles (i.e. RN, MD, DC, DPM, DDS, Ph.D., etc.). Failure to identify oneself appropriately or misrepresenting oneself will result in either academic probation or possible dismissal from the program.