All LMU-OPCVM students are expected to be dressed appropriately at all times with particular attention given to personal hygiene, cleanliness, safety, and especially professional demeanor.
Students need to demonstrate that they have the proper judgment about attire to wear for a given educational activity. Clients should feel comfortable in a student’s presence. A student who makes a client, simulated client, or visitor feel uncomfortable is not showing good judgment in this critical area.
Students are provided with an LMU-OPCVM nametag in addition to the LMU student ID badge. The name tag is to be worn for all Clinical Skills and Professional Life Skills lab sessions. Exceptions may be made for sessions where either may become a hazard risk, as determined by the Lab Leader.
Students who come to school dressed unprofessionally will be asked to leave campus, change clothes, and return in appropriate attire. Any absence from class or an exam because of the student’s lack of judgment will be considered an unexcused absence. Points may also be deducted from Professional Life Skills courses or individual courses per the syllabus at the discretion of faculty or administration. The dress code is enforced between the hours of 7:30 am–4:30 pm on Monday through Friday or as specifically requested by the Office of Student Affairs via the ADSA. Specific dress code elements may be superseded by approved accommodations through the Office of Accessible Education.
Students are expected to follow professional, casual dress guidelines for on-campus activities, including, but not limited to, attendance of class. Students should dress more professionally for other activities, such as guest speakers, conferences, and special events like the White Coat Ceremony. Students will be notified ahead of time of events that require attire other than professional casual.
Professional Casual Dress Code Guidelines and Examples While on CVM Campuses
Professional casual is neat and should look appropriate in a professional college. Avoid inappropriately tight or baggy clothing; professional casual is classic rather than trendy. Everything should be clean, wrinkle-free, well-fitted, and not show excessive wear. Scrubs should not be worn except in laboratory sessions. The only exception is a lecture held between laboratory sessions. Scrubs must be covered by a clean, white lab coat.
Pants: Men: Khakis or slacks are acceptable. Women: Khakis or slacks, skirts, or dresses. Both: Jeans will be permitted if they fit properly. Faded jeans or jeans that have holes or tears in them are not permitted. Leggings may be worn under a skirt or dress. A skirt or dress must be no shorter than three finger-widths above the knee and are never permitted in laboratory, anatomy, and any animal care spaces. The style of dress or skirt must be appropriate for class (e.g., no formal wear). Both: Shorts are acceptable in lecture and team based learning sessions only. Shorts must reach at least mid-thigh and be of a professional casual style (e.g. khaki, chino, linen, with finished hems). Shorts are never permitted in laboratory, anatomy, and any animal care spaces.
Shirts/Sweaters: Men: Button-up shirts, polo shirts, sweaters, and turtleneck shirts are acceptable. Women: Tailored shirts, blouses, sweaters, and polo shirts are acceptable. Sweaters are acceptable; but low-cut necklines are never appropriate. Polo/golf shirts for both men and women are acceptable. Fleeces or quarter-zip outerwear are acceptable provided the under-layer garments meet dress code standards. Ties: Ties are not necessary for classes. Students will be informed of events where more professional dress is required, such as guest speakers or special events.
Footwear: Must be clean and in good repair and appropriate for the professional or educational activity.
Watches, jewelry, and other accessories: Watches, jewelry and other accessories should not be excessive or distracting. Accessories must be easily removeable when they create a hygiene or safety hazard.
Undergarments: Should not be visible.
Hair: Hair must be kept neat and clean, long hair may be required to be controlled as to not create a safety or hygiene hazard (e.g. blocking vision, getting caught in moving equipment, coming into contact with preserved specimens, etc.). Facial hair: If worn, facial hair should be well-groomed.
Hats: Ball caps and visors are not to be worn indoors at any CVM facilities. They may be permitted at the instructors’ discretion for outdoor learning, labs, and functions. Cowboy/Western style hats if worn must be removed in classrooms and indoor laboratories.
Cosmetics: If worn, makeup should be professional.
ITEMS THAT ARE NOT PERMITTED: While not an exhaustive list, tube tops, exposed midriffs, sweatshirts, hoodies, tank tops, short or long-sleeve t-shirts, athletic shorts, athleisure and gym wear (leggings, etc.), flip-flops, athletic slides, excessive body piercing, cut-off shorts, and jeans with holes in them are examples of inappropriate dress and therefore unacceptable. Revealing, excessively tight or baggy clothes are not appropriate.
CLINICAL ROTATIONS: Students on clinical rotations are required to wear appropriate dress as indicated by the rotation site. A clean white jacket and coveralls should be available at a minimum.
LABORATORY COURSES: Courses with a laboratory component will require that students dress as directed for these courses and may have more requirements listed in the syllabus. Anatomy lab spaces, clinical skills lab spaces, and research lab spaces at a protective minimum will require closed toed shoes, long pants (scrubs are accepted), and a clean white lab coat. Please see below for various Clinical Skills Spaces.
Required Attire for Clinical Skills Laboratories | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Location | Clinical Skills Lab | Jacksonville Humane Society/Clay County Animal Services | Surgical Suites | DVTC Equine stables & Equine teaching center | DVTC Bovine teaching center | |
| Footwear | Closed-toe shoes that fully enclose the foot | Closed-toe shoes that fully enclose the foot | Dedicated clean closed-toe shoes or shoe covers | Closed-toed shoes that fully enclose the foot, leather or rubber, NOT athletic shoes | Rubber boots that extend at least mid-calf | |
| Clothing | Professional clothing or scrubs | Professional clothing or scrubs | Clean “surgery” green scrubs put on at hospital | Scrubs, nice jeans, khakis, polo shirt* | Scrubs, nice jeans, khakis, polo shirt* | |
| Outer Attire | Lab coat | Lab coat | Hat and mask | Optional coveralls | Coveralls – must be removed after lab prior to leaving the DVTC | |
*This clothing may get dirty
Required Equipment for Clinical Skills Laboratories | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All labs | Small Animal Physical Exam & procedures | Food Animal Physical Exam & procedures | Equine Physical Exam & procedures | Small Animal Surgery | Small Animal Anesthesia |
Pen, Electronic Device (laptop/tablet) | stethoscope, thermometer, pen light | stethoscope, thermometer, pen light | stethoscope, thermometer, pen light | stethoscope, thermometer, pen light | stethoscope, thermometer, pen light, clipboard, calculator, bandage scissors, hemostats |
Relaxed Dress Code Guidance
Under certain circumstances, as determined by the LMU-OPCVM administration, a relaxed dress policy may be allowed for special times or functions. The dress policies DO NOT change for labs or class/function attendance (unless included in the special event) as described in the Student Handbook - this only applies to pre-determined time periods or special events. The guidelines are as follows:
- Clean, comfortable clothing in good condition to include jeans, sweatpants, leggings, tasteful t-shirts, sweatshirts, and tennis shoes/athletic shoes are permitted for taking the exams or for the special event. If the student has additional classes or functions following exams, or are returning later in the day for functions, they should return to fully professional attire as described in the handbook under Professional Appearance. If the relaxed dress code applies for a special event (e.g., Halloween, Sweats for Pets, etc.), then professional attire is expected for any labs, meetings, or official functions.
- No crass, lewd or innuendo sayings on visible attire. Students may be asked to cover up or change clothes.
Professional Appearance During Clinical Rotations
Personal appearance and dress for students in the health professions is important in establishing respect and credibility in the doctor-client relationship. The public expects that the veterinary healthcare team be neatly dressed and properly groomed. Students participating in the LMU-OPCVM clinical year program are expected to uphold these standards at all times when on and off rotations. In general, students will dress in the manner prescribed by the clinic in which they are working. Students may be asked to cover tattoos and remove piercings and jewelry. A clean white clinic coat or clean coveralls displaying the LMU-OPCVM logo and name badge are required to be available at all times by all students when in a clinical environment
Required equipment varies by clinical course and may include thermometer, bandage scissors, suture scissors, calculator, stethoscope, pen light, pen and small notebook, hoof pick, postmortem gloves, postmortem scissor, postmortem forceps, watch with a second hand, hemostats, reflex hammer, lab coat, scrubs, coveralls, and washable rubber footwear. It is the student’s responsibility to find out what equipment is required during their clinical affiliate orientation or, even better, prior to the start of the rotation, by contacting the clinical affiliate.
Special protective clothing must be worn in designated areas as specified by clinical site personnel. In working with livestock, mixed animal, equine, or in a diagnostic lab and pathology rotation, coveralls are required unless the clinical affiliate requires alternative dress. Washable rubber footwear is required for mixed and large animal rotations. Student equipment and apparel must be kept clean to reduce the chance of spreading infectious agents. Students will not wear protective clothing, smocks, lab coats, overalls, or coveralls, in public places away from the OPCVM or clinical sites. These clothing items are to be worn only while engaged in educational, research, and/or service activities directly related to veterinary medicine. Students will be required to change coveralls several times during the day to avoid contamination between farms. In some cases, clinical sites may require scrubs or other protective attire. This attire may be provided by the clinical site, in which case it will remain the clinical site property. Specific dress code for clinical affiliate sites may be found on Medtrics™. When in doubt, contact the clinical affiliate regarding the dress code.
Students will be assigned radiology badges that are to be used and worn at all clinical sites. These badges will need to be directly returned to the monitoring company via pre-paid mailer to monitor radiation exposure levels periodically throughout the year. More information on Radiation Safety and documentation on radiology badges is provided in the OPCVM 759 Introduction to Clinical Year course and maintained in the resources folder in Medtrics™. The cost of replacement of lost badges is the responsibility of the student and it will be assessed at current market value. Grades may be withheld until payment is made. Failure for students to provide regular monitoring of their radiation exposure as required, may result in the student being removed from clinical rotations.