EMS Programs Uniform Policy

Appearance is a professional attribute reflective of an individual’s character and affect as well as on Spartanburg Community College’s Emergency Medical Services Department, the EMS provider or clinical affiliate the student is attending, and EMS as a whole.  It stands without reason or exception that you should maintain a professional appearance and attitude at all times, especially when in the public eye. 

Uniforms are required by the paramedic program; however the Program does not collect fees for uniforms. As a student, you must buy a uniform and have alterations made before the first scheduled lab, clinical, field experience or field internship. You are required to have a sufficient quantity of uniform items to meet the needs of your participation within the program.

The EMS student’s uniform should be neat, clean, stain and odor free, pressed and appropriate for the occasion. The approved SCC EMS student uniform consists of the following: 

Uniform shirt

1. The uniform shirt shall be navy blue (available at Harrison’s Workwear)
2. The EMS departmental student patch shall be sewn on left shoulder one inch (1”) down from seam.
3. Only the top button of the uniform shirt shall be unbuttoned.
4. Long sleeved uniform shirts must remain buttoned at the cuff at all times and may not be rolled up.
5. Uniform shirts shall remain tucked in at all times while worn.

T-shirt

1. A navy blue crew neck T-shirt is required to be worn beneath the uniform shirt.
2. Sleeves of the T-shirt worn beneath the uniform shirt may not extend below the sleeves of the uniform shirt.
3. Long sleeved T-shirts are prohibited.
4. Visible writing or pictures showing through the uniform shirt are prohibited.

Trousers

1. EMS or BDU-type trousers shall be worn.
2. All trousers shall be navy blue.

Socks

1. Socks shall be solid navy blue or black.

Belt

1. A belt must be worn with the uniform trousers.
2. Belts shall be black in color with a subdued buckle or Velcro fastener.
3. Metal tips, ornaments, and engraving are not permitted.

Footwear

1. Footwear shall be solid black in color.
2. Laced footwear is required.
3. No slip-on or sandal-type footwear of any kind is permitted.
4. Steel toed, steel-shanked, non-porous boots (leather or vinyl) are recommended per OSHA 29 CFR 1910.120 guidelines.
5. Footwear must be in good repair, clean and polished.

Outerwear is approved only as follows:

1. Navy blue pullover (available at Harrison’s Workwear)
2. The EMS departmental student patch is to be sewn on left shoulder one inch (1”) down from seam.
3. Navy blue watch cap; solid, no emblems
4. Baseball caps and other headwear are prohibited.
5. Outerwear that represents a student as an employee of an EMS service in any way is prohibited and is not to be worn over the SCC EMS student uniform.
6. The student must be readily identified at all times as an SCC EMS program student and not as an employee of an EMS service.
7. Outerwear, e.g., a pullover, is not to be worn indoors in a clinical setting either as a substitute for, or in addition to the uniform shirt.

Other required uniform accompaniments

Student photo ID provided by Spartanburg Community College

1. The student photo ID is to be worn on the right epaulet of the uniform shirt with the photo visible in all labs and at all clinical, field experience and field internship sites.
2. A SCC-issued hospital ID may be worn when participating in hospital clinical.
3. Failure to wear the approved student photo ID will result in disciplinary action as outlined in individual class syllabi addenda under “Disciplinary Action” and “Student Dress.

4. Ball point pen with black or blue ink

5. Felt tip pens, gel pens, or roller balls should not be used.

Wristwatch with a second hand or the capability of displaying seconds. Smartwatches are prohibited.

Special notes

1. All components of the uniform are to be worn the entire duration of an assigned lab, clinical, field experience, or field internship. Further, a student is additionally bound by the uniform policy of the EMS service(s) with which he/she rides.
2. Consideration should be given to carrying a spare uniform in case of sudden or unavoidable soiling or exposure to body fluids.
3. Uniforms are to be worn only for scheduled lab, clinical, field experience or field internship.
4. Headwear is not permitted to be worn inside a building and applies to all students.
5. Sunglasses are not permitted to be worn inside a building or while with a patient.

Personal appearance

Students must remember that at any time they are in the program uniform they represent themselves, their class, SCC, their profession and, should act accordingly, including maintaining a neat and professional appearance at all times.

Hair

1. Hair must be neat and clean and professional in appearance.
2. Long hair must be pulled back away from the face and off the collar and secured to prevent contact with a patient, equipment, or supplies.
3. Hair styles are required to be conservative. No extreme hairstyles are permitted.
4. Hair color must appear natural. Unnatural or vibrant colors such as, but not limited to, purple, blue, green, magenta, etc., are not permitted.
5. Facial hair must be conservative, clean, neatly trimmed and in compliance with OSHA guidelines and all clinical or field site affiliates’ policies.
6. There must be no hair between a mask and the face so as not to interfere with a proper mask seal.
7. Decisions about questionable hairstyles are to the discretion of the EMS Department faculty.

8. Personal hygiene is paramount

9. Students must be clean and free of body odor.
10. Oral hygiene is strongly emphasized, especially after meals and tobacco use.
11. Teeth or dentures must be cleaned or brushed daily.
12. Makeup application will be conservative and must be applied in a way that is considered professional by the EMS Department faculty.

Jewelry

1. A wedding band/set or engagement ring may be worn; other rings are prohibited.
2. Bracelets of any kind are prohibited.

Earrings

1. Females may wear one (1) conservative earring per ear in the lobe only in the lowest hole.
2. Large or dangling earrings are prohibited by OSHA guidelines.
3. Males may not wear earrings.

Piercings

1. Facial jewelry of any kind is prohibited and includes ear, nose, tongue, and eyebrow piercings, however discreet.
2. Ear lobe openings for gauges shall be plugged closed with solid plugs matching skin tone.
3. Visible body piercings of any kind are not permitted other than in the earlobe. (See earrings herein.)

Tattoos

1. Facial and neck tattoos shall not be visible and must remain covered while in lab, clinical, field experience, and field internship.
2. Visible tattoos must not be distracting, socially unacceptable, or offensive. This includes, but is not limited to, tattoos that are sexually explicit, racially insensitive, contain logos or slogans that are deemed offensive and tattoos that depict violence.
3. EMS Department faculty have the authority to direct the covering of tattoos if, in their opinion, the tattoo is distracting, socially unacceptable, or offensive.

Fingernails

1. Fingernails shall be manicured close to the fingertips and must be kept clean.
2. Nail polish is prohibited in clinical, field experience, and internship settings.
3. False fingernails or tips are not allowed by OSHA infection control policies.

Fragrances

1. Perfumes, aftershave, and lotions are discouraged, however, if worn, should not be heavily scented.

Violations of the Uniform Policy

Violations of the uniform attire may result in immediate suspension from lab, clinical, field experience, or field internship until the student is able to be in proper attire as outlined herein.  Time missed from lab, clinical, field experience, or internship due to a uniform violation will be counted as time missed or tardiness as outlined in the attendance policy of individual class syllabi addenda.

Contact the EMS program director for clarification or with questions about the policy as written.