Health & Life Sciences Uniform Standards

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Health & Life Sciences

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Clinical/Lab Dress Code for all students

Cowan Health Sciences Centre, Simulation, and Lab Spaces

In absence of program specific requirements, the following guidelines apply:

Clinical/Lab Dress Code

In order to maintain all labs as safe professional spaces, appropriate apparel must be worn. This dress code aims to ensure the safety of the student, faculty, and staff and prepare for the clinical environment. The dress code is designed to comply with infection control procedures, workplace health and safety considerations and professional safety.

All lab areas are covered by this policy for all programs in the School of Health & Life Sciences. Non-compliance with this dress code will result in the person being asked to leave the lab area. If during scheduled lab time, this may result in a missed lab.

Dress Code Requirements

Conestoga-branded lab coat, scrubs or clinical apparel as set forth by the program (should be neat and clean). Note: the Cross Centre for Simulation Learning requires full clinical uniform to be worn
Closed toe, closed heel shoes as per Occupational Health & Safety requirements.
Hair tied back, up, and secured.
No rings, necklaces, or dangling earrings (A pair of studs may be worn, and a plain wedding band may be worn)
Nails should be kept neat and short; artificial nails and nail polish are not allowed.
No hats to be worn (exceptions related to the Human Rights Code).
No denim or sweatpants
Nametags must be worn
Scented products (perfume, scented aftershave, hair products) must not be worn.
Personal hygiene products such as deodorant should be used but unscented.
No gum chewing is permitted in clinical, lab or community settings.

Requests for accommodations of this policy (e.g. for religious or disability reasons) will be considered within the ��vlog��Ʒ Policy or Human Rights framework.

Please be reminded that the labs are a clinical setting and, as such, the requirement for proper handwashing/hygiene is in effect. While every effort is made to maintain a latex-free environment in the clinical learning centre, students must be aware that the centre and clinical placement areas are not latex-free environments.

**Please note: Lab practice expectations, including the use of personal protective equipment (PPE), will follow College policies and will be described and demonstrated in detail at the semester start.

Nursing and PSW Programs

Uniforms and Grooming Guidelines

Specific hospital/agency policies may vary from Conestoga policy. Student uniforms must adhere to the uniform policy of the institution in which students are placed.

Uniform Regulations

Full, clean, wrinkle free uniform must be worn in clinical areas and simulation/science labs.
The bottom of the pant hemline must be sewn above the sole of the shoe.
Warm-up jackets or sweaters are acceptable, but must not be worn during direct care.
Head coverings must be appropriate to ensure the safety of the student and patient/client.
If ¾ length shirts or t-shirts are worn under the designated uniform they must be black or grey.
No hats to be worn.
Religious and cultural attire will be considered on an individual basis.
Once a uniform is worn for client care, it cannot be worn in any public place until washed. If you are not going home directly after clinical, you need to have a change of clothing with you.

Footwear

Uniform shoes must be supportive, clean, neutral in colour, non-mesh, and slip-resistant with closed toes and heels. The shoes worn with the uniform are not to be worn outside of the agency.

Identification

Conestoga identification must be worn and visible at all times in all clinical settings. Institutional Photo ID may also be required, at the discretion of the institution.

Jewelry

Jewelry can be a source of bacteria and injury to students and clients. For these reasons the following restrictions related to jewelry are necessary:

NO rings, other than a plain wedding band.
NO chains - necklaces or bracelets.
Watches may be worn on the wrist or uniform except when giving direct care.
Dangling earrings or stretchers are not acceptable. Flesh-coloured spacers or earring studs are acceptable.

Hair

When providing care, it is important that hair does not potentially contaminate clean/sterile areas. For this reason, long hair should be tied back and secured and not allowed to dangle onto field of care. Students must be clean-shaven or have neatly trimmed beards and/or mustaches to facilitate respirator fit; cultural and religious practices will be taken into consideration on an individual basis.

Personal Hygiene

Students are expected to meet hygiene requirements during class, lab and placement hours.

Maintain personal hygiene and cleanliness.
No heavily scented products as these can cause allergic reactions, migraines and respiratory difficulty.

Fingernails

Nails should be kept short, not past the fingertip, and clean.
No nail polish, nail jewelry, acrylic or artificial nails are permitted.

Dress Code for Agencies not requiring Uniforms

Conestoga identification must be worn and visible at all times in all clinical settings. Identification must include first and last name and designation. Institutional Photo ID may also be required, at the discretion of the institution.
The dress code for agencies not requiring uniforms is business casual; this may include collared shirts, chinos, closed-toe shoes such as loafers, blouses, dress pants, knee length skirts and dresses, cardigans, etc.

Transportation of Uniform to and from Clinical Settings

Uniforms must be clean when arriving at the clinical site.
Soiled uniforms (worn during client care) must not be worn in public.
Uniform shoes are not to be worn outside the clinical agency.

Requests for accommodations of this regulation (e.g. for religious or disability reasons) will be considered within the framework of the ��vlog��Ʒ Policy for Human Rights.

Fitness and Health Promotion

Academic Fitness Centre

The Academic Fitness Centre is comprised of specialized fitness equipment. In order to maintain these as safe professional spaces, appropriate dress must be worn. The purpose of this dress code is to encourage professional practice and encourage safe lab practices. All FHP lab areas are covered by this policy. Non-compliance with this dress code will result in the person being asked to leave the lab area. (If during scheduled lab time, this will result in a missed lab)

Dress Requirements

FHP Lab T-shirt or FHP sweatshirt
Fitness shorts or pants
Clean athletic shoes (e.g., running shoes) must be worn in lab
Socks must be worn
Hair tied back, if hair is long, then it must be up
Nails should be kept neat and short
No hats to be worn (exceptions related to the Human Rights Code)
No denim
Personal hygiene products such as deodorant must be worn.
Scented Products must not be worn
No chewing gum

Please be reminded that the labs are a professional setting and, as such, the requirement for proper handwashing/hygiene is in effect.

Clinical Lab Areas: 1F26, RC202, RC300, RC MPR, RC214

Open Access Lab: RC 300 (see schedule on eConestoga)

Cross Centre for Simulation Learning: OSCE Suites

Hearing Instrumentation Specialist

Uniform Standards

As a Hearing Instrument Specialist (HIS) student or Faculty member, it is important to present in a professional manner, particularly when in a clinical setting (community or health care institution). A professional demeanour and appearance are important in establishing effective working relationships with clients and colleagues. As a guest in any placement site providing clinical experience, it is important to always act and dress appropriately.

Individual clinical locations may have their own dress codes, to which students must adhere. Students should contact the clinical preceptor prior to arriving on their first day, to ensure that they comply with any required dress code.

General guidelines for HIS laboratory and clinical placement sites include:

Dress as required by the clinical site. This is usually semi-formal/business attire.
Long or short-sleeved dress shirt, golf shirt or similar; no collarless T-shirts; no logos on shirts. Dress or plain casual pants, no jeans.
Shirts and pants must be high/long enough to cover the midriff, even when bending or reaching.
Some placement sites may require a lab jacket over a clean, unwrinkled blouse or shirt with a tie.
Clean, preferably light comfortable shoes with closed toes and heels.
Jewelry must be kept to a minimum and not compromise the safety of yourself or your clients. For example, consider wearing one pair of tiny studs in ears and nose and a plain band on the finger with no stones or etching. While at the clinical placement, all other facial piercing, including tongue piercing must be removed. Medical alert bracelets are permitted.
Hair length and style must conform to the rules of the placement site. It is expected that long hair will be tied back, off the collar and controlled securely.
Nails should be kept short and neat looking. Nail polish, if worn, must be clear or nude. Artificial nails are not permitted.
Scented products must not be worn.
No gum chewing is permitted in clinical, lab, or community settings.
Faculty and/or Clinical Preceptors reserve the right to ask students who do not conform to the uniform policy to leave the clinical, community or lab setting. Time missed must then be made up by the student.

Massage Therapy

Program Standard Dress Code

To maintain all labs as safe professional spaces, appropriate dress must be worn. The dress code is designed to comply with the expectations set out in the interjurisdictional competencies regarding personal hygiene and appearance, such as grooming and dress that is appropriate to a professional setting, infection control procedures, workplace health and safety considerations, professional safety, and set a standard of professionalism.

Practical labs require clinically appropriate attire, which varies depending on the course. For example, athletic clothing would be deemed appropriate in a therapeutic exercise course. Specific descriptions of clinically appropriate attire are provided by faculty at the beginning of each semester and are reflected in the instructional plan and/or required resources module in eConestoga.
Practical exams and Field placements such as Clinic and Outreach require students to dress in accordance with program guidelines and additionally the dress requirements of the College of Massage Therapist of Ontario (CMTO) Objectively Structured Clinical Evaluation (OSCE)

No ripped clothing, professionally appropriate, longer hair up, nails trim and no polish, body covered except for the upper limb, closed toe rubber soled shoes, level II or above medical mask and additional PPE as required
Must wear Massage Therapy program uniform shirt
Business casual pants that are at minimum below the knee and name tag
Attire must be clean and not restrictive

Nutrition and Food Services Management

Program Uniform Standards

As a Nutrition and Food Service Management Student, it is important to present a professional manner, particularly when in a placement setting (community or health institution). A professional demeanour and appearance are important in establishing effective working relationships with care recipients and colleagues.

Students represent the College while at field placement locations and on field trips. As such, it is important that they adhere to appropriate dress codes. Field placement locations may have their own dress code, which the student must follow. Students should contact the placement preceptor prior to arriving on their first day to ensure that they comply with any required dress code.

In addition, students must follow the uniform requirements when attending lab in the Nutrition and Public Health Foodservice Lab in room 1E31, as well as those identified in Cowan Health Sciences Centre and Lab Spaces dress code.

Uniform Standard

In the Public Health Foodservice Lab students must wear the program lab coat, hair net, and name tag that is part of the program lab kit. As well as closed heel/toe shoes labelled as "non-slip" or "slip resistant" must be worn. If a student forgets a piece of the lab uniform, they may not be able to fully participate in the lab.
While attending field placements or field trips, clothing should be business casual or aligned to the requirements of the site. Typically, this includes casual pants, no jeans or sweatpants along with plain shirts and closed heel and toes shoes, likely non-slip.
Hair length and style must conform to the rules of the agency. In working in environments with food, such as the Nutrition and Public Health Foodservice Lab, hair must be tied back and secured with a hairnet.
Jewelry must be kept to a minimum and not compromise the safety of yourself, your clients, or the food products you are working with. Field placement guidelines may require you to remove facial and ear piercings, as well as rings.
Nails should be kept short and neat. Guidelines for nail polish and artificial nails must be followed as per the field placement area.
Scented products (perfume, scented aftershave) must not be worn.
Personal hygiene products, such as deodorants, should be used but unscented.
No hats should be worn (exceptions related to the Human Rights Code).
No gum chewing is permitted in clinical, lab or community settings.

Occupational Therapist Assistant and Physiotherapist Assistant

Program Standard Dress Code

As an Occupational Therapist Assistant and Physiotherapist Assistant Student, it is important to present a professional manner, particularly when in a placement setting (community or health institution). A professional demeanour and appearance are important in establishing effective working relationships with care recipients and colleagues.

The required program polo shirt and name tag for clinical placement can be purchased from the ��vlog��Ʒ Bookstore.

Clinical dress as set forth by the program should be neat and clean. Students must wear Program- approved clothing for lab safety and accessibility for courses with a lab component.

On-site labs involving movement-oriented activities will also require additional clothing to achieve learning objectives. Faculty will advise you to wear sleeveless tops or sports bras and shorts or leggings in order to participate in lab activities. Closed-toe, rubber sole shoes are required to participate in lab. Make-up work may be assigned if restrictive clothing is worn that interferes with full completion of required learning activities. Requests for accommodations of this policy (e.g. religious or accessibility reasons) will be considered within ��vlog��Ʒ Policy or Human Rights framework.

Additionally,

Long hair must be tied back, up and secured
Minimal to no jewelry
Nails should be kept neat and short; long artificial nails are not allowed
No hats to be worn (exceptions related to the Human Rights Code)
No denim or sweatpants
Scented products must not be worn
Personal hygiene products such as unscented deodorant should be used
Smoking or vaping is prohibited in College buildings and placement settings
No gum chewing is permitted
No personal use of cellular phones

For practical exams and field placements, students are required to wear the OTA & PTA polo shirt and nametag, 'casual dress' pants, and closed toe shoes

Note: Dress requirements apply not only to lab or examination areas but also while working in the Cowan Health Sciences Centre.

Primary Care Paramedic

Uniform Standards

As a Paramedic student, it is important to present in a professional manner, particularly when in a clinical/field placement setting. Professional demeanour and appearance are important in establishing effective working relationships with patients and colleagues. As a guest in any agency/service providing clinical/field experience, it is important always to act and dress appropriately. Students and Faculty have established the following uniform regulations to address the issue of professional appearance.

Student uniforms must conform to the uniform policy of the institution in which students are placed. In the instance that an institution does not have a defined uniform policy, it is understood that the above dress standards for the Cowan Health Sciences Centre as well as these additional regulations apply.

All Paramedic students must wear approved safety shoes in the field and lab environment. (High or low cut, dark, rubber soles, steel-toed). Closed-toe and heel rubber soles running shoes will be worn in clinical placements, as required (Green CSA triangle must be on the boot or shoe).
Mandatory school crests/epaulettes must be worn on both uniform sleeves and be visible to the public. A maximum of 1 button may be undone at the top of the uniform shirt. A uniform shirt must be worn under the uniform jacket if being worn.
Uniforms will always be clean and wrinkle free.
A belt must always be worn with the uniform.
Uniform hats must be worn front-facing.
Uniforms may be worn to or from field placements, but students will not stop and attend public venues such as shopping malls or licensed establishments enroute to or from the field placement.
Long hair is to be tied back, off the shoulders and away from the face.
Facial hair must not extend beyond the mask line.
Nail polish and false nails are to be removed.
Any jewelry that presents health and safety concerns must be removed.
Dress standards are to be followed. It is expected that students present themselves in full uniform when applicable and not employ partial uniform dress (i.e., non-uniform coat/sweater with paramedic pants).
The following is not considered part of the paramedic student uniform:
o   Non-uniform hats
o   Non-uniform sweaters or jackets
o   Footwear that is not CSA approved

Student Respiratory Therapist

Uniform and Grooming Guidelines

As a Student Respiratory Therapist (SRT), you are recognized by clients and their families as a vital member of the health care team. Your appearance reflects your professionalism and can inspire confidence in your ability to provide safe and competent care. Maintaining a professional appearance—is essential. If these standards are not met, your Professor or Clinical Team Member may ask you to leave the clinical area, lab, or simulation setting.

Note: Hospital or agency-specific policies may differ from ��vlog��Ʒ guidelines. SRTs must follow the uniform policy of the institution where they are placed.

Required Items for All SRTs

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��vlog��Ʒ name tag, available from the Bookstore
Program-specific patch
Program-specific lab kit

Uniform Regulations

Uniforms must be clean, wrinkle-free, and worn in all clinical, simulation, and science lab settings. Pant hems must be sewn above the sole of the shoe.
Program-specific jacket that coordinates with the uniform is acceptable but must not be worn during direct patient care.
If ¾ length shirts or t-shirts are worn under the uniform, they must be black or white.
No hats are to be worn.
Head coverings must be neutral in color and appropriate to ensure the safety of both the SRT and the patient/client.
Religious and cultural attire will be considered on an individual basis.
Once a uniform has been worn for client care, it must not be worn in public until it has been washed. If you are not going home directly after clinical, bring a change of clothing.

Footwear

Shoes must be supportive, clean, black or white, non-mesh, slip-resistant, and have closed toes and heels.
Shoes worn with the uniform must not be worn outside the clinical agency.
Clogs (wooden or otherwise) or any shoes without a full back are not acceptable.

Identification

Conestoga identification must be worn and visible at all times in clinical settings.
Institutional Photo ID may also be required, depending on the placement site.

Jewelry

To reduce the risk of infection and injury:

No rings, except for a plain wedding band
No necklaces or bracelets
No facial or oral jewelry
Watches may be worn on the wrist or uniform, but not during direct care
One stud may be worn in each earlobe
No dangling earrings or stretchers; flesh-colored spacers are acceptable

Hair and Grooming

Hair must be neat and secured to prevent it from falling forward or contaminating sterile areas.
Long hair should be tied back and secured above the shoulders.
SRTs must be clean-shaven or have neatly trimmed facial hair to ensure proper respirator fit. Cultural and religious practices will be considered individually.
No heavily scented perfumes, colognes, gels, or lotions are permitted, as they may cause allergic reactions, migraines, or respiratory difficulties.

Fingernails

Nails must be short (not past the fingertip) and clean.
No nail polish, nail jewelry, or artificial nails are permitted.

Additional Conduct Guidelines

Smoking and vaping is prohibited in college buildings and clinical/community settings and may result in fines.
Chewing gum is not allowed in clinical, lab, or community settings.
Food and beverages are only permitted in designated areas (e.g., cafeteria, student/staff lounges).
Cellphones/smartphones for personal use are not permitted in clinical, lab, or community settings.

Dress Code for Agencies Not Requiring Uniforms

Conestoga identification must be worn and visible at all times, including first and last name and designation. Institutional Photo ID may also be required.
Footwear must be comfortable, low-heeled, and have closed toes and heels.
Street clothing must be professional. The following are not appropriate:

Jeans
Tights or leggings
Sweatpants or tracksuits
Warm-up suits

Transporting Uniforms

Uniforms must be clean when arriving at the clinical site.
Soiled uniforms (worn during client care) must not be worn in public.
Uniform shoes are not to be worn outside the clinical agency.

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