Professional Conduct, Appearance and Accountability

Standards for Professional Appearance and Hygiene

Your appearance creates an immediate impression on residents, families, and team members. Wearing a clean, wrinkle-free uniform or scrubs promotes infection control and demonstrates pride in your work. Always wear your identification badge visibly while on duty, according to facility policy, so residents and visitors can easily identify your name and role. Work shoes must be clean, closed-toe, non-skid, and supportive to protect your feet and prevent slip-and-fall injuries during physical care activities.

Personal hygiene is a vital part of infection control and resident comfort. Practicing daily personal hygiene, including bathing and using deodorant, prevents body odors in close-contact care environments. Keep your fingernails short, clean, and neatly trimmed to avoid scratching fragile resident skin and harboring pathogens underneath the nail bed. Do not wear artificial nails or nail extensions during resident care, and always follow facility nail policies. Keep facial hair clean and neatly groomed, and follow facility requirements for any protective equipment that must fit closely to the face.

Your grooming choices directly impact resident safety. Hair must be kept clean, neat, and tied back away from the face and shoulders during resident care so it does not brush against the resident or interfere with your view. Jewelry should be kept to a minimum, typically limited to a plain wedding band and small stud earrings, to prevent resident injury and avoid snagging on clothing or equipment. Visible body art and piercings must comply with the facility's dress code policy. In addition, avoid strong perfumes, colognes, and scented lotions, which may bother residents or trigger respiratory symptoms, and follow all facility fragrance policies. Finally, follow facility smoking and vaping policies, and never smoke or vape in resident care areas.