Occupational Health Unit

The Arizona Department of Corrections has in excess of 10,000 employees, all of whom are provided OSHA mandated health services through the Occupational Health Units (OHUs). The OHUs are located at each of the Arizona State Prison Complexes and at the Correctional Officers Training Academy (COTA).

Mandated health services are provided to:

• Correctional Officers and other staff who maintain the security of the prisons
• Health Services Staff who provide health care to the inmates
• Community Corrections Staff who monitor the inmates on parole
• Administration Staff

The Unit’s mission is to promote employee safety and wellness in the work environment, with a focus on prevention. Integral to our practice is confidentiality and integrity. Each nurse functions autonomously within their scope of practice and within the guidelines established by law and ADC Policy and Procedures.

The knowledge base of the Occupational Health Nurse must include:

• Wellness
• Bloodborne Pathogen Standard
• TB Guidelines for Correctional Facilities
• The Centers for Disease Infectious Disease Guidelines 
• Case Management
• Industrial Injury Process
• Health Education and Training Programs
• OSHA 200 Log
• Role of a Safety Committee
• Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA)