Professional Appearance Notes

Professional Appearance of a Healthcare Worker

Unit 1: Employability Skills, Career Options, and Preparation

• Every employer has different standards of dress and personal appearance.

Uniform & Clothing

• Neat and clean.
• Allow for freedom of body movement.
• Free from wrinkles.
• Colors may identify a group of workers.

Name Badge

• Name and photo identification to be worn at all times.
• Depending on the employer, may be required by law.

Closed toe Shoes

• Slip resistant.
• Lowers the risk of injury.
• Promotes a safer work environment.

Personal Hygiene

• Personal hygiene is essential.
• Body odor must be controlled through daily bathing or showering, deodorant use, good oral hygiene, and clean undergarments.

Nails

• Short and clean.
• Nail polish is not recommended.
• Long nails can transmit germs and tear or puncture gloves.
• Hand cream or odorless lotion is recommended to prevent dry and cracked hands from frequent handwashing.

Hair

• Clean and neat.
• Extreme hairstyles and hair ornaments should be avoided.
• Hair should be pinned back and off the collar.

Jewelry

• Usually not permitted because it can cause injury and transmit germs.
• Some exceptions include a wedding ring and small pierced earrings.
• Body jewelry such as nose, eyebrows, tongue, etc., are usually prohibited.

Medical Glove Activity: Safely Putting On and Taking Off Gloves

• Materials:
  • Medical gloves
  • Plates
  • Flour and water mixture
• Directions:
  • Students grab a pair of gloves according to their size.
  • Dip gloved hands into a plate of flour and water mixture.
  • Carefully remove the contaminated gloves without touching the mixture with bare hands or other skin areas.