Provides advanced clinical pharmacy services for individuals in ICE custody under a collaborative practice agreement. Performs comprehensive medication management, counseling, care coordination, quality improvement, peer review, and on-site pharmacy coverage. Supports TDY assignments and special missions as needed.
This position is only open to USPHS officers and Call to Active Duty (CAD) candidates.
Summary
Provides advanced clinical pharmacy services for individuals in ICE custody under a collaborative practice agreement. Performs comprehensive medication management, counseling, care coordination, quality improvement, peer review, and on-site pharmacy coverage. Supports TDY assignments and special missions as needed.
This position is only open to USPHS officers and Call to Active Duty (CAD) candidates.
Applicants must be a current USPHS Commissioned Corps Officer or USPHS Call to Active Duty (CAD) candidate.
Civilians are not eligible for this position.
Provides direct clinical care services to detainees within the delineated scope of practice in their Physician-Clinical Pharmacist Collaborative Practice Agreement in conformance with established criteria and guidelines, accreditation standards, and agency policies and procedures.. Work is reviewed periodically for effectiveness in meeting quality assurance and compliance standards. Provides guidance and mentorship to interdisciplinary junior staff to develop clinical judgement, leadership, and interpersonal skills.
Performs comprehensive medication management and patient care as specified in the collaborative practice agreement and agency policies. Referrals are done in collaboration with the Clinical Director or staff provider. Decision-making authority includes determining need for prescription medication(s) or change in medication, and follow-up schedule. Provides medication counseling and information services (drug information, medication therapy consultation, and advice to other health professionals on complex patient problems at the highest level of independence) directly to patients to ensure that they understand their medications, how to take them, and appropriate outcomes of their drug therapies.
Collaborate with healthcare team on a routine basis to coordinate medical and behavioral care services and facilitate transitions of care for patients, maintain academic partnerships, and develop and implement processes to improve public and population health.
When necessary to maintain on-site pharmaceutical services coverage, provide on-site verification of filled medications to complement remotely verified prescriptions for dispensing to patients.
Participates in ongoing quality assurance and performance improvement activities including audits, chart reviews, and development of review criteria.
Participates in the Clinical Pharmacist Peer Review process, and as an active member in one or more national or institutional committees which may include Pharmacy and Therapeutics, Infection Prevention, Critical Care, or others as designated.
Provides temporary duty (TDY) coverage to IHSC staffed facilities and special missions as needed. All staff must be available for an entire month, or two 16-day periods, each year to support the IHSC TDY On-Call (ITOS) Program.
Completes all agency required training.
Performs other duties and responsibilities as assigned.
You must be a U.S. citizen to apply for this position.
You must successfully pass a background investigation.
You must successfully pass a drug screen.
Males born after 12/31/59 must certify registration with Selective Service.
Requirements by Closing Date: Unless otherwise noted, you must meet all requirements by the closing date of the announcement.
Service Remaining Requirement Agreement: Upon appointment to this position, officers will be required to serve an 18 to 24-month commitment to IHSC.
ASSIGNMENT PAY AGREEMENT: You must not have a current Assignment Pay Agreement. However, if you have a current Assignment Pay Agreement, it must be fulfilled within 90 days of your application submission.
Applicants must be a current USPHS Commissioned Corps Officer or USPHS Call to Active Duty (CAD) candidate.
Civilians are not eligible for this position.
Applicants without a USPHS commission must begin the USPHS Commissioned Corps application process before applying to this position. Applicants must review the USPHS application requirements and submit an application at www.usphs.gov/apply-now/.
Continued employment is contingent upon appointment to, and maintenance of, active-duty status in the USPHS Commissioned Corps.
PHS officers must participate in IHSC TDY On-Call Schedule (ITOS.) ITOS is either an entire month or two 16-day periods a year where, depending on the needs of the agency, the officer is required to be available to serve.
Qualifications
PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
This position is in a hazardous duty environment.
Required to walk unaided at a normal pace for up to 5 minutes and maintain balance.
Required to jog/fast walk up to ¼ mile.
Required to perform CPR/emergency care standing or kneeling.
Must have the ability to assist sick, injured or aging detainees or staff exiting the building (may require lifting, dragging, wheeling or carrying someone who weighs significantly more than oneself).
Must be able to see, hear and smell with aids if necessary.
Must easily alternate between kneeling and standing.
Must be able to lift, push, or carry 30 pounds.
Must be able to perform the position duties in a stressful and often austere environment without physical limitations.
Education
REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:
PharmD degree from a program that is accredited by the American Council on Pharmaceutical Education and 1 year of experience as a pharmacist providing direct patient care services under a protocol or collaborative practice agreement.
Maintains a full and unrestricted Pharmacist license issued by a State Board of Pharmacy to practice pharmacy in a State, District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or a territory of the United States that authorizes pharmacist collaborative practice and meets continuing education requirements for the State(s) licensed in. It is the responsibility of the incumbent to fulfill the obligation(s) of their licensing or certifying body to maintain currency.
Maintains a current National Board of Pharmaceutical Specialties Board Certification in Pharmacotherapy (BCPS) or Ambulatory Care (BCACP).
Expertise in pharmacology, pharmaceutics, pharmacokinetics and all management aspects related to the practice of pharmacy in a clinic/infirmary setting.
Maintains current BLS/CPR certification
Possesses knowledge of and is competent in understanding and communicating pharmaceutical nomenclature including generic, chemical & trade names, Latin abbreviations, dosage forms, drug strengths, formulations & English-Metric equivalents.
Knowledge of training methods and sufficient interpersonal skills to develop a rapport with patients and co-workers during which instructional and educational information is presented.
Possess knowledge of grammar, spelling & punctuation to identify and correct errors to ensure accurate copy.
Possesses necessary skills for operating general office technology including Microsoft Office products.
Competent in data entry and ability to work with & analyze numbers, including bookkeeping & basic accounting skills.
Competent in the use of office machines including photocopiers, calculators, and personal computers.
Possesses ability to work efficiently, accurately & organize in a fast-paced environment.
Preferred but not required:
Current certification as a Correctional Health Care Professional (CCHP).
Knowledge and/or experience with IHSC policies, NCCHC and PBNDS requirements.
Proficient in Spanish or secondary language.
Additional information
This is a U.S. Public Health Service position within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO), ICE Health Service Corps (IHSC), Clinical Services Division, Medical Services Unit, Pharmacy Program. This is a non-supervisory position.
The incumbent serves as a clinical (advanced practice) pharmacist and is responsible for the provision of direct patient care services under a collaborative practice agreement.
IHSC has a multi-sector, multidisciplinary workforce of over 1650 authorized positions, including U.S. Public Health Service (PHS) commissioned officers, federal civil servants, and contract staff. The IHSC provides on-site direct patient care to ICE detainees at 17 detention facilities throughout the country and manages the provision of off-site medical care for detainees housed in approximately 217 additional Intergovernmental Service Agreement (IGSA) facilities. IHSC provides medical services to more than 171,000 detained aliens housed in the 17 detention facilities and oversees compliance with health-related standards for over 266,000 detained aliens in the 217 non-IHSC staffed facilities. The IHSC also provides medical support during ICE enforcement operations in the air, on the ground and at sea.
SUPERVISORY CONTROLS:
The Clinical Pharmacist works under the supervision of the facility's Clinical Director (CD). Assignments of a professional nature are long-term and broadly defined in terms of objectives, priorities, and deadlines. Completed work is only periodically evaluated for technical soundness, appropriateness, and conformity to professional standards and PHS requirements. Procedures for performing some works are established, but the incumbent has significant independence to implement changes to benefit facility operations and detainee health. In cases where IHSC policies and guides are non-specific, the incumbent is required to exercise judgment in the selection and application of appropriate evidence-based guidelines and originality in developing individualized, appropriate solutions.
Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
How you will be evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
We will review your resume and supporting documentation to ensure you meet the minimum qualification requirements. You may be selected for an interview at the hiring authority's discretion. You will be notified of selection or non-selection.
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package. Please note that if you do not provide all required information, as specified in this announcement, you may not be considered for this position. A complete application includes:
U. S. Public Health Service Officers
Cover Letter/Letter of Interest.
Degrees. (Place under "Diploma/GED")
Professional license. (If applicable)
Additional professional certificates. (If applicable)
Three professional references. (i.e., name, title and contact information)
Official USPHS Promotion CV - e.g., relevant experience, education, training. (Place under "USPHS Promotion CV")
You may provide a civilian resume in addition to the USPHS Promotion CV to capture all relevant work experience.
A copy of your Certificate of Investigation (located in your eOPF).
*Three most recent Commissioned Officer Effectiveness Reports (COER). (Place under "Performance Appraisal")
For IHSC USPHS officers only, a copy of your current Service Remaining Requirements Agreement.
Indicate if you have an Assignment Pay (AP) Agreement and the date of the end of your AP Agreement. If you do not, please submit a memo attesting to no AP in the Assignment Pay (AP) Agreement section in the documents section of application.
New Call to Active Duty
Cover letter/Letter of Interest. Please include location preference here.
Degrees. (Place under "Diploma/GED")
Professional license. (If applicable)
Additional professional certificates. (If applicable)
Three professional references (i.e., name, title, and contact information)
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
To apply for this position, you must submit the required documentation outlined under the REQUIRED DOCUMENTS section below.
The complete initial Application must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on 10/22/2026.
PLEASE NOTE: If your materials are not received by the closing date, your application will be evaluated solely on the information available and you may not receive full consideration or may not be considered eligible. Also, if you do not provide a valid email address, you may not be notified of the outcome of your application.
To begin the process, click the Apply Online button to create an account or log into your existing USAJOBS account. Follow the prompts to complete the occupational questionnaire. Please ensure you click the Submit My Answers button at the end of the process.
Note: To check the status of your application or return to a previous or incomplete application, log into your USAJOBS account, select Application Status, and click on the more information link under the application status for this position.
Applications and supporting documentation will not be accepted by mail or email. If you need further assistance, contact the Human Resources Office representative listed on this announcement at least one day prior to the closing date for further instructions.
ERO-DRO-IHSC Public Health Service
500 12th Street SW
Washington, DC 20536
US
Next steps
Once you submit your application, we will assess your experience and training, identify the best-qualified applicants, and refer those applications to the hiring manager for further consideration and interviews. We will notify you by email after each of these steps has been completed. Your status will also be updated on USAJOBS throughout the process. To check your status, log on to your USAJOBS account, click on "Application Status," and then click "More Information." We expect to make a job offer within 60 days after the deadline for applications. If you are selected, we will conduct a suitability/security background investigation. View more information on applying for federal employment.
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package. Please note that if you do not provide all required information, as specified in this announcement, you may not be considered for this position. A complete application includes:
U. S. Public Health Service Officers
Cover Letter/Letter of Interest.
Degrees. (Place under "Diploma/GED")
Professional license. (If applicable)
Additional professional certificates. (If applicable)
Three professional references. (i.e., name, title and contact information)
Official USPHS Promotion CV - e.g., relevant experience, education, training. (Place under "USPHS Promotion CV")
You may provide a civilian resume in addition to the USPHS Promotion CV to capture all relevant work experience.
A copy of your Certificate of Investigation (located in your eOPF).
*Three most recent Commissioned Officer Effectiveness Reports (COER). (Place under "Performance Appraisal")
For IHSC USPHS officers only, a copy of your current Service Remaining Requirements Agreement.
Indicate if you have an Assignment Pay (AP) Agreement and the date of the end of your AP Agreement. If you do not, please submit a memo attesting to no AP in the Assignment Pay (AP) Agreement section in the documents section of application.
New Call to Active Duty
Cover letter/Letter of Interest. Please include location preference here.
Degrees. (Place under "Diploma/GED")
Professional license. (If applicable)
Additional professional certificates. (If applicable)
Three professional references (i.e., name, title, and contact information)
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
To apply for this position, you must submit the required documentation outlined under the REQUIRED DOCUMENTS section below.
The complete initial Application must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on 10/22/2026.
PLEASE NOTE: If your materials are not received by the closing date, your application will be evaluated solely on the information available and you may not receive full consideration or may not be considered eligible. Also, if you do not provide a valid email address, you may not be notified of the outcome of your application.
To begin the process, click the Apply Online button to create an account or log into your existing USAJOBS account. Follow the prompts to complete the occupational questionnaire. Please ensure you click the Submit My Answers button at the end of the process.
Note: To check the status of your application or return to a previous or incomplete application, log into your USAJOBS account, select Application Status, and click on the more information link under the application status for this position.
Applications and supporting documentation will not be accepted by mail or email. If you need further assistance, contact the Human Resources Office representative listed on this announcement at least one day prior to the closing date for further instructions.
ERO-DRO-IHSC Public Health Service
500 12th Street SW
Washington, DC 20536
US
Next steps
Once you submit your application, we will assess your experience and training, identify the best-qualified applicants, and refer those applications to the hiring manager for further consideration and interviews. We will notify you by email after each of these steps has been completed. Your status will also be updated on USAJOBS throughout the process. To check your status, log on to your USAJOBS account, click on "Application Status," and then click "More Information." We expect to make a job offer within 60 days after the deadline for applications. If you are selected, we will conduct a suitability/security background investigation. View more information on applying for federal employment.
Fair and transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
