Offender Workers

Idaho
Department of
Correction

Standard
Operating
Procedure
Title:
Offender Workers

Page:
1 of 2

Control Number:
401.06.03.022
Version:
1.0
Adopted:
03-11-1999

Pat Donaldson, chief of the Management Services Division, approved this
document on 06/25/2015.
Open to the public: Yes No
Redacted version available: Yes No
SCOPE
This standard operating procedure (SOP) applies to all Idaho Department of Correction
(IDOC) healthcare services staff, offenders, contract medical providers and subcont ractors.
Revision Summary
Revision date (06/25/2015) version 1.0: Update to new format, align with latest national
standards by updating throughout.
BOARD OF CORRECTION IDAPA RULE NUMBER 401
Medical Care
POLICY CONTROL NUMBER 401
Clinical Services and Treatment
PURPOSE
The purpose of this standard operating procedure (SOP) is to ensure that health services
are provided by health staff and not substituted with offender workers. This also ensures
that offender workers receive the appropriate training and supervision when working in the
medical areas .

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS
1. Offender Worker Limitations

Offender workers must not;

 provide health care services

 make treatment decisions

 provide patient care

Control Number:
401.06.03.022
Version:
1.0
Title:
Offender Workers

Page Number:
2 of 2

Idaho Department of Correction
 distribute or collect sick-call slips

 schedule appointments

 handle medical records

 handle medications

 handle surgical instruments or sharps

Offender-janitors employed in the medical housing units must be appropriately trained and
supervised regarding their work assignments. This training and supervision is provided by IDOC
staff.

When offenders handle bio-hazard waste, they may do so only after receiving appropriate
training including the use of protective equipment. This training is provided by health services
staff following OSHA guidelines.

Offenders may provide assistance with activities of daily living (ADL’s) to other offenders in their
housing unit. This type of assistance is not allowed in the infirmary areas.

Offenders may participate in support groups that assist other offender s, such as, suicide
companions and hospice. Special training is required for these support groups. This training is
provided by IDOC staff at facilities where these programs are available.

DEFINITIONS
Contract Medical Provider: A private company or other entity that is under contract with
the Idaho Department of Correction (IDOC) to provide comprehensive medical, dental,
and/or mental health services to the IDOC’s incarcerated offender population.
Facility Health Authority: The contract medical provider employee who is primarily
responsible for overseeing the delivery of medical services in an Idaho Department of
Correction (IDOC) facility.
REFERENCES
National Commission on Correctional Health Care standard P -C-06

– End of Document –