Dress Code & Professional Appearance for Medical Assistants

Candace Eckert
3 days ago
5 min read

As future healthcare professionals, how you present yourself matters both in the classroom and at your clinical rotation sites. Maintaining a clean, professional appearance shows respect for your patients, your team, and the medical field as a whole. Here at KLR we start this soft skills training from day one. Showing proper grammar and email etiquette when communicating with your Instructors prepares our Medical Assistants (MAs) for communicating with their preceptors during work-based learning rotations. Our practice with email formatting and professionalism in the virtual environment prepares students for real-world expectations.

Our students in rotations are given KLR branded scrubs, much like the scrubs that are provided by the company you choose to work for, whether it be fun designed scrubs in pediatrics, to standard brand colors for your employer. Specific hospitals and clinics may have their own dress code. You may be given a copy of the hospital-wide dress code during onboarding or can find this information on your company's website.

[Left, pediatric scrubs] [right, KLR Scrubs]

Scrubs:

Wearing the proper scrubs is a key part of presenting yourself as a professional Medical Assistant. Your scrubs not only represent you, but also the program and healthcare facility you are a part of.

Clean and wrinkle-free: Your appearance should reflect cleanliness and professionalism. Wrinkled or stained scrubs can send the wrong message to patients and supervisors, suggesting a lack of attention to detail. Which is especially important in healthcare settings focused on hygiene and infection control.
Program-approved color: Uniform colors help identify students from KLR, promote unity, and maintain a professional standard across all clinical sites. Always wear your scrubs in the approved color to show pride in your training and consistency in your role.
Proper fit: Scrubs that fit well help you move comfortably and safely while performing patient care tasks. Tight scrubs can restrict movement, while loose scrubs may look unprofessional or become a safety hazard when working around equipment.
Undershirts: If you choose to wear an undershirt, it should be solid-colored and match your scrubs. This keeps your appearance neat and coordinated, and prevents distractions in a clinical setting.

[Elizabeth Roller]

💡 Tip: Always keep an extra scrub top or full set in your car, locker, or bag. Spills, tears, or contamination can happen at any time, having a backup ensures you can stay professional and compliant with infection control policies throughout the day.

Nails

Your hands are one of the most important tools you have as a Medical Assistant and keeping your nails neat and short helps ensure patient safety and infection control. Thinking back to our Infection Control unit and handwashing demo, it is imperative to use proper handwashing to ensure you are avoiding the spread of diseases.

Length: Nails should be short, clean, and neatly trimmed. Long nails can tear gloves, scratch patients, or harbor bacteria underneath.
Polish: Avoid colored or chipped nail polish. If polish is worn, it must be clear and unchipped.
Acrylics and extensions: Artificial nails are not permitted in most clinical settings because they can trap harmful bacteria and increase the risk of spreading infection.

💡 Tip: Infection control starts with clean hands. Short nails protect both you and your patients! Think back to our handwashing demo. Remember how many simulated germs were present when looking under the blacklight? Imagine how many germs survive when they are under your nails!

[proper nails]

Hair and Personal Hygiene

Maintaining proper hygiene and a neat appearance is an essential part of being a Medical Assistant. How you present yourself can directly affect patient trust, comfort, and safety.

Hair: Hair should be clean, well-groomed, and secured away from the face. Long hair must be tied back, especially when performing patient care or working near equipment. Loose hair can fall into sterile fields or interfere with procedures.

[Elizabeth Eger]

Facial hair: For male students, beards and mustaches should be neatly trimmed. A professional look communicates reliability and respect for the clinical environment.
Hygiene: Daily showers, use of deodorant, and clean uniforms are expected. Avoid heavy perfumes, body sprays, or strongly scented lotions. Some patients and coworkers may have allergies or sensitivities.

💡 Tip: Keep a small “freshen-up kit” in your bag or locker. Include deodorant, a hair tie, a comb or brush, breath mints, and hand sanitizer. It’s perfect for quick touch-ups before class, lab, or rotations, helping you stay polished and professional all day!

Footwear

The right shoes are essential for comfort, safety, and professionalism in the medical field. As a Medical Assistant, you spend long hours on your feet so your footwear must support both your health and the clinical environment’s safety standards.

Closed-toe shoes: Always wear closed-toe, closed-heel shoes to protect your feet from spills, dropped instruments, or other potential hazards in the clinical setting, no Crocs!
Non-slip soles: Shoes must have non-slip soles to help prevent falls or accidents, especially in areas that may become wet or slippery.
Clean and professional: Footwear should be clean, well-maintained, and in a neutral color (white, black, or program-approved). Avoid flashy designs, bright colors, or open footwear such as sandals.
Comfort and support: Choose shoes designed for healthcare professionals those with good arch support and cushioning. Proper footwear helps prevent fatigue, foot pain, and back issues over time.

💡 Tip: Invest in a comfortable, supportive pair of shoes early in your program. Your feet and your body will thank you after long days of clinical rotations!

Jewelry & Accessories

Jewelry can be stylish, but in the medical field, safety and professionalism come first. What you wear should never interfere with patient care or hygiene.

Keep it minimal: Small stud earrings, simple wedding bands, or a basic wristwatch are acceptable. Avoid dangling earrings, large hoops, or long necklaces that could catch on clothing or equipment.

[Left: excessive jewelry] [Right: proper jewelry]

Left: avoid long necklaces, expensive jewelry that you do not want to damage, and facial piercings showing.

Right: Remove excessive jewelry, opt for a placeholder for wedding bands, and hide facial piercings.

Avoid bracelets: These can harbor germs, interfere with hand hygiene, or jingle during patient care.
Smartwatches and fitness trackers: Check with your instructor or clinical site. Some may allow them, others may not.

💡 Tip: Think of jewelry as part of your “uniform.” If it could get in the way, distract a patient, or collect germs it’s best to leave it at home.

Rotation Binders

KLR MAs are provided with a rotation binder. This binder must go with them every single day for rotations. Think of this like your employee lifeline! Within this binder, we provide space for notes, Preceptors and instructors contact information, study materials, and important policies. Bringing your rotations binder is part of the professionalism standard that KLR and students in this field hold themselves to. You are there to learn and work hands-on with the patient. Your CCMA Rotation Binder provides important information that helps you work to your fullest potential.

Don't Forget!

Your appearance is one of the first things patients and healthcare professionals notice. It speaks volumes about your commitment to the medical field. By following the dress code and maintaining proper hygiene, you’re not just meeting program expectations, you’re developing habits that reflect real-world professionalism.

Taking pride in how you present yourself helps build trust, confidence, and respect from patients, instructors, and future employers. Remember, professionalism starts with you. Every clean scrub, polished shoe, and neat hairstyle represents the compassionate, capable Medical Assistant you’re becoming.

Professionalism isn’t just what you wear, it’s how you show up.