Correctional officers are a vital part of the process for delivering health care to incarcerated individuals. Not only do they facilitate the work flow, they also represent many eyes and ears throughout the facility to alert health staff to individuals with possible health issues. Because correctional personnel are often the first to respond to problems, they must be aware of the potential for emergencies that may arise, know the proper response to life-threatening situations, and understand their part in the early detection of illness and injury.
 
Standard C-04 focuses on a health training program for correctional officers. The intent of the standard is to promote the training of correctional officers to recognize when the need to refer someone to a qualified health care professional occurs and to provide emergency care until they arrive.
 
Training can be accomplished in a variety of ways, including classroom training, roll-call in-services, electronically or any combination of these methods. Health staff may have a role in the training or it could be conducted entirely by correctional staff who are qualified to instruct on such topics. Regardless of the method for training or who is responsible, the standard requires that correctional officers who work with the incarcerated receive health-related training at least every two years. The training program must be established or approved by the responsible health authority in cooperation with the facility administrator.