Policies

IHS Circular No. 20-05, Assuring Quality in Medical Staff Membership
The purpose of this circular is to provide temporary Indian Health Service (IHS) licensing requirements for health care providers and medical staff, establish more stringent oversight of exceptions to the licensure policy, and provide guidance on addressing credentialing and privileging of impaired providers.

IHM 3-23, Ethical and Professional Conduct of Health Care Providers
This chapter establishes the policy, procedures, and responsibilities for Indian Health Service personnel, supervisors, and management officials regarding the conduct of health care providers in the IHS. Providers should be knowledgeable of, and are subject to, certain discipline-specific ethical standards of conduct to which they must adhere.

IHM 3-8, Social Work Services
This chapter sets forth the mission, philosophy, objectives, organization, and functions of the Social Work Program in the Indian Health Service. Social Work Program responsibilities are also detailed in sections of other IHS Headquarters manuals and policy issuances including Maternal and Child Health ( 3-313.7 Child Abuse and Neglect ), Mental Health Services , Alcohol and Substance Abuse Services , and the Patient Self-Determination and Advanced Directives .

IHM 3-20, Protecting Children from Sexual Abuse by Health Care Providers
This policy provides professional standards and guidance to protect against sexual abuse or exploitation of children by health care providers. The policy covers sexual abuse, or reasonable suspicion of sexual abuse, committed at any location by any provider working for the IHS.

Employee Mandatory Training Plan for Implementation of Indian Health Manual, Part 3, Chapter 20, Protecting Children from Sexual Abuse by Health Care Providers [PDF – 500KB]

IHM 3-37, Trauma Informed Care
The purpose of this chapter is to provide guidance to Indian Health Service hospitals, health centers, clinics, and health stations and facilities in delivering trauma-informed care services. Simultaneously preparing our workforce to be trauma informed, and promoting self-care to prevent and treat secondary traumatic stress.

SGM 19-03, IHS Health Care Providers Compliance with IHS Informed Consent Requirements
As a general rule, patients have a right to consent to having a medical or surgical procedure, or the right to refuse such procedure or treatment. Failure to obtain consent prior to performing a medical or surgical procedure or treatment could result in the provider being accused of negligence, assault, battery, or malpractice.

IHM 3-29, Sexual Assault
The purpose of this chapter is to establish the requirements for care following sexual assault at Indian Health Service hospitals, health centers, and health stations and facilities. The scope of this chapter is for patients 18 and older who present for sexual assault services at IHS facilities.

IHM 3-31, Intimate Partner Violence
To identify victims of Intimate Partner Violence and intervene on their behalf within a system of medical care and referral that is patient-centered, culturally sensitive, and trauma-informed. This chapter establishes uniform clinical care guidelines on identifying and responding to IPV for all patients presenting to Indian Health Service health care facilities.

IHM 3-36, Child Maltreatment
The purpose of this chapter is to establish the requirements for identifying and responding to suspected child maltreatment. The scope of this chapter establishes clinical care guidelines for patients under the age of 18 presenting for services at Indian Health Service hospitals, youth regional treatment centers, health centers, and health stations and facilities.

SGM 18-02, Managing Administrative, Investigative and Notice Leave in the Indian Health Service Within the IHS, it is crucial that supervisors deal with all personnel actions requiring extended leave expediently, including initiation and concluding associated investigations and resulting adverse action (if warranted). There are specific conditions that must be met and requirements for employee notification.

Prevention of Workplace Harassment Policy
The purpose of this chapter is to establish the Indian Health Service policy to prevent workplace harassment. The IHS is taking all steps necessary to prevent harassment in the workplace and to correct any inappropriate conduct that occurs before it becomes severe or pervasive.

NoFEAR Act
The NoFEAR Act requires agencies to provide notice to Federal employees, former Federal employees and applicants for Federal employ of the rights and protections available to them under Federal antidiscrimination, whistleblower protection and retaliation laws.