Medical professions span a broad spectrum of specialties, but many professionals are required to wear lab coats as part of their everyday uniforms. Lab coats are designed to protect scrubs, skin, and other surfaces from contacting laboratory liquids and powders. There is a certain sense of professionalism that a lab coat provides, and studies have even shown that this simple choice in attire can increase patient confidence in the care that they’re receiving. Many of us tend to think of hospitals and other healthcare facilities as uniformed work environments, but modern lab coats are as fashionable as they are functional, with ample space for medical supplies and everyday essentials. Labwear.com created an informative guide to many of the professions that need lab coats to perform their work safely.
Lab Coats in Modern Medical Professions
The average day of a medical worker can be fraught with contamination from or exposure to fluids, powders, and other substances. Keep reading to learn more about the professions that need lab coats.
Chemists: Professionals who work in forensic science or pharmaceuticals meet chemicals and hazardous materials every day. Laboratories are frequently subjected to spills and splashes that could pose serious health risks. Behind eyewear and gloves, a lab coat is a chemist’s best attempt at personal protection, especially if it is flame-resistant.
Doctors: Depending on specialty, doctors of all kinds require lab coats for cleanliness and one-on-one consultations. Clothing can quickly become contaminated in a medical environment, but most lab coats come with antimicrobial fabric protection to inhibit the growth of bacteria, yeast, and algae. Formal attire in any non-operative setting is essential to inspiring confidence between caretaker and patient.
Electronic Technicians: Professionals who design, develop, test, manufacture, install, and repair equipment, such as medical monitoring devices, require anti-static lab coats that can withstand the demands of an engineering lab.
Lab Technicians: Testing tissue, blood, and other bodily fluids requires specific protection to prevent the spread of infectious diseases. Laboratories that house biological specimens for research must be sterile environments, so it is imperative that lab techs wear antimicrobial coats that are also comfortable to wear for long periods of time.
Medical Practitioners: Physicians and surgeons prefer to wear lab coats because they provide plenty of space to hold stethoscopes, ophthalmoscopes, notepads, pens, and other medical supplies. Coats can also protect clothing from on-the-job hazards, such as bodily fluids. Finally, lab coats inspire patients to trust their caretakers.
Microbiologists: Scientists who study bacteria, algae, and fungi need to protect themselves and their environments against disease and environmental damage potentially caused by the microscopic organisms or pathogens that they research. Microbiologists prefer lab coats that are resistant to flame and repel liquid chemicals.
Nurses: Registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, and nurse practitioners all wear lab coats with deep pockets to carry items they need while working. Hospitals and healthcare offices can be cold workplaces, so it’s no surprise that most nursing professionals wear coats for warmth.
Pharmacists: Short lab coats are often worn by pharmacy students, but licensed pharmacists traditionally wear long coats to lend an air of authority and inspire trust between them and patients seeking prescriptions or guidance.
Veterinarians: Veterinary medicine can be a downright dirty labor of love, so it is important that veterinarians dress somewhere between business casual and are protected against blood, feces, urine, and other bodily fluids.
Your medical uniform is more than just a matter of personal style – it’s representative of your specialty, training, and culture. If you would like to learn more about the lab coat selection available at Labwear.com, please call or email us today for additional information or further assistance.