If you’re starting a new job at a veterinary practice, you want to make sure you dress appropriately. Bondi Vet’s Dr. Chris Brown looks cool wearing collared tops and designer jeans but is this the dress code for your veterinary practice? While smart casual wear is acceptable in some animal hospitals, others prefer their staff to be dressed in uniforms.
Veterinary personal protective equipment include scrub tops and other items such as safety goggles when dealing with sick animals in the hospital. But, why is dress code important in the veterinary industry and what does it include? And how do you make sure you comply with it when starting your new job?
5 Ways to Conform with the Dress Code of a Veterinary Practice
1. Find Out What the Dress Code Says
Every veterinary practice will have its own dress code policy. The first step to making sure you pitch up on your first day appropriately dressed for the job, is to ask about the dress code. A uniform policy allows for consistency while defining the different roles of personnel in the practice.
If the practice you’re working for is serious about professionalism and the impression they want to make on their clients, they’ll have a clearly defined policy for workplace wear.
Not all veterinarian practices expect you to wear a specific uniform. By understanding what the dress code states, picking out your outfit is less stressful.
2. Dress for the Specific Role
If uniforms aren’t part of your employment package, you may wonder what the right workwear for your role is. A proper dress code policy will clearly state what personnel in each department in a veterinary practice should wear. Receptionists are more likely told to wear corporate-style shirts and trousers or skirts while vets and nurses will be told to wear scrubs.
Colour coding is one way of differentiating the different departments within an animal hospital. Blue scrubs may be the choice of colour for vets while nurses are required to wear pink in surgery. When compiling your veterinary workwear, find out if scrubs are acceptable and if so, what colour is designated forour job role.
3. Use the Right PPE for Veterinary Practices
Risk management in the workplace is vital and this applies to any veterinarian practice as well. If you’re required to wear personal protective equipment (PPE) when performing tasks in the animal hospital, make sure you know what the regulations state. This will help you select and use the right PPE for the specific environment.
PPE in the veterinarian industry includes a variety of gear such as the following:
- Eye and face protection such as goggles and shields
- Gloves
- Disposable gowns and overalls
- Footwear such as shoe covers and rubber boots
In most cases, the veterinary practice should supply PPE to employees, but never assume. Ask before your first day!
4. Surgical Scrubs vs. Business Casual Attire: Which is Better?
Some veterinary practices may let you pick your own workwear especially if it’s a small animal hospital. Stepping out in business casual attire is tempting but picking surgical scrubs will win you happier clients! Why? Because your clients are more likely to trust you with the care of their pets if you’re dressed for the task.
A recent study showed that clients perceived vets wearing surgical scrubs or a white coat as being more competent than those dressed in business casual attire. If you want to cultivate a trusting and respectful veterinarian-client relationship, then opt for surgical scrubs. Alternatively, don a white coat over your business casual wear before meeting an animal owner.
5. Find the Right Uniform Suppliers
If the dress code clearly stipulates what uniform you need to wear, finding the right supplier will help you get the best gear for the job. Professional uniform suppliers know what each industry expects from their employees.
Supplying uniforms for the veterinary industry means including the following aspects:
- Functional design: Uniforms should be comfortable but functional while looking professional at the same time. These factors should be considered when designing veterinary uniforms.
- Durable fabric: Veterinary uniforms should be made with materials that can handle exposure to bodily fluids while being easy to wash and maintain. Materials should be durable, breathable and comfortable while holding the shape of the garment.
- Colours and patterns: If the veterinary practice relies on colour coding and patterns to differentiate roles, the supplier should be able to offer these features.
Finding the right uniform suppler for the veterinary industry gives you peace of mind you’ll get the proper workwear for your company’s dress code.
Final Thoughts
The legislative environment for the veterinary professional can be complex. And, starting a new job at a veterinary hospital can be nerve-wracking if you’re not sure what to wear on the first day! Overcome this by asking ahead of time and arriving prepared and dressed for success.
