This position is located within the ICE Health Service Corps (IHSC), Office of the Deputy Assistant Director of Clinical Services, Psychiatric Services Program. The incumbent will serve as a Psych Advanced Practice Provider (APP), whether they are a Psych Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP), Board Certified Psychiatric Pharmacist (BCPP), or a Psych Physician Assistant - Certified (Psych-PA-C).
This position is only open to USPHS officers and Call to Active Duty (CAD) candidates.
Summary
This position is located within the ICE Health Service Corps (IHSC), Office of the Deputy Assistant Director of Clinical Services, Psychiatric Services Program. The incumbent will serve as a Psych Advanced Practice Provider (APP), whether they are a Psych Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP), Board Certified Psychiatric Pharmacist (BCPP), or a Psych Physician Assistant - Certified (Psych-PA-C).
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 psychiatric care to detainees via onsite and telepsychiatry services for scheduled appointments, emergency, or urgent care visit.
Consults with the Psychiatrist and/or Clinical Director for complex psychiatric patients and as required by IHSC policy.
Provides infirmary care including admission, discharge, and daily rounds for detainees that require higher levels of psychiatric care or monitoring.
Performs comprehensive psychiatric evaluations and initiates treatment plans for detainees as required by IHSC policy, or as required for detainee psychiatric complaint.
Works within and performs functions as outlined in the IHSC Psychiatric Advanced Practice Provider Collaborative Practice and Prescriptive Authority Agreement and the IHSC formulary.
Follows IHSC policies in the management of significant mental illness including prevention of violence, homicide, self-harm and suicide.
Applies knowledge of drugs and therapeutics when prescribing medication.
Applies patient-specific knowledge to monitor and control stress levels and provide emotional support and counseling to detainees.
Coordinates psychiatric care needs of detainees including referrals to off-site consultants.
Solicits and reviews pertinent psychiatric records as indicated
Interprets diagnostic and laboratory results when required for psychiatric evaluations.
Adheres to universal precautions.
May serve as medical escort of detainees as needed, for domestic/overseas travel.
Utilizes and documents interpretation and/or translation and/or assisted communication services as needed to ensure ability to communicate with detainees or others who are Limited English Proficient (LEP) or have a communication disability or impediment.
Maintains flexibility and adaptability to sudden changes in schedules and work requirements.
The incumbent will be required to provide on-call coverage as needed after regular work hours and may need to return to the facility outside of normal work hours for urgent mental health needs.
Provides relevant patient education to detainees verbally and/or with handouts.
Documents detainee care visits in the required health record using required format, in compliance with IHSC policy and guidance.
Maintains patient confidentiality and confidentiality of medical records.
Completes all training as required/assigned.
May serve in acting capacity as part of the IHSC behavioral health leadership team.
Mentors Psychiatric APP onboarding and training.
Attends on-site, regional, and national meetings as required.
Participates in the Psychiatric APP peer review process.
Assists in program development, policy review and revisions, and data collection.
Travel may be required up to as much as 20% annually.
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.
Qualifications
COMPETENCIES:
Cultural Competency
Demonstrates strong interpersonal skills.
Demonstrates strong oral and written communication skills.
Integrity/Honesty
Adult learner teaching skills
Experience in correctional health care preferred
PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
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.
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 perform the duties of job in a stressful and often austere environment without physical limitations.
Education
[O-4 Billet] REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:
Must have a minimum of 6 months of full-time experience as a Psychiatric APP in direct patient care or the express approval of IHSC Chief Psychiatrist.
Knowledge of training methods and sufficient interpersonal skills to develop a rapport with detainees and co-workers when instructional and educational information is presented.
Physician Assistant (PA) - Requires unrestricted PA state license and national board certification through the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA).
Current licensure as a PA by a State, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or territory of the United States.
Graduate from a PA program accredited by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA).
Certificate of Added Qualification in Psychiatry from the NCCPA- preferred, not required.
Nurse Practitioner - Requires unrestricted PMHNP state license and national board certification through the American Nurse Credentialing Center (ANCC).
Current licensure as a PMHNP by a State, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or territory of the United States.
PMHNP degree from a graduate school of professional nursing accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) or the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN), typically a Master or Doctorial level education.
PMHNP board certification by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC).
Maintains a current license 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. This position will be required to perform clinical activities within the scope of licensure)
Maintains unrestricted license with state of licensure
Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) to prescribe controlled medications- not required at the time
of hire, but must be obtained within 90 days of the start date
Maintains basic readiness status
Maintains current CPR/BLS certification
Maintains clinical professional skills via continuing education opportunities.
Comprehensive knowledge of managing non-compliant patients, special needs populations, and patients with significant deficits in coping skills, thereby requiring continuing professional clinical support.
Flexibility and ability to adapt to sudden changes in schedules and work requirements.
[O-5 Billet] REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:
Preferred minimum of 3-5 years of full-time experience as a Psychiatric APP in direct patient care or must have the expressed approval of IHSC Chief Psychiatrist
Knowledge of training methods and sufficient interpersonal skills to develop a rapport with detainees and co-workers when instructional and educational information is presented.
Physician Assistant (PA) - Requires unrestricted PA state license and national board certification through the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA).
Current licensure as a PA by a State, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or territory of the United States.
Graduate from a PA program accredited by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA).
Certificate of Added Qualification in Psychiatry from the NCCPA - required.
Nurse Practitioner - Requires unrestricted PMHNP state license and national board certification through the American Nurse Credentialing Center (ANCC).
Current licensure as a PMHNP by a State, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or territory of the United States.
PMHNP degree from a graduate school of professional nursing accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) or the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN), typically a Master or Doctorial level education.
PMHNP board certification by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC).
Board Certified Psychiatric Pharmacist - Requires unrestricted pharmacist state license and board certification in psychiatric pharmacy through the Board of Pharmaceutical Specialties (BPS).
Current licensure as a pharmacist by a State, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or territory of the United States.
Graduate from a Doctor of Pharmacy program accredited by the American Council on Pharmaceutical Education (ACPE).
Board Certification in Psychiatric Pharmacy (BCPP) by the Board of Pharmaceutical Specialties (BPS).
Maintains a current license 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. This position will be required to perform clinical activities within the scope of licensure).
Maintains unrestricted license with state of licensure
Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) to prescribe controlled medications- not required at the time
of hire, but must be obtained within 90 days of the start date
Maintains basic readiness status
Maintains current CPR/BLS certification
Maintains clinical professional skills via continuing education opportunities.
Comprehensive knowledge of managing non-compliant patients, special needs populations, and patients with significant deficits in coping skills, thereby requiring continuing professional clinical support.
Flexibility and ability to adapt to sudden changes in schedules and work requirements.
Preferred Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
Knowledge of forensic psychiatry concepts and principles
Correctional health care experience.
Certification as Correctional Healthcare Professional (CCHP)
Knowledge and/or experience with IHSC policies, NCCHC and PBNDS requirements.
Bilingual communication capability preferred.
Additional information
This position is located within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO), ICE Health Service Corps (IHSC), Office of the Deputy Assistant Director of Clinical Services, Psychiatric Services Program. The incumbent will serve as a Psychiatric Advanced Practice Provider (APP), whether they are a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) or a Psychiatric Physician Assistant - Certified (Psych-PA-C). The incumbent will report to the facility clinical director; will establish a collaborative practice agreement with a psychiatrist.
As the Psychiatric APP the incumbent works within one of the facilities located across the nation as a member of the healthcare team providing mental health care to detainees in ICE custody.
IHSC has a multi-sector, multidisciplinary workforce of more than 1400 employees, 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 19 detention facilities throughout the country and manages the provision of off-site medical care for detainees housed in approximately 240 additional Intergovernmental Service Agreement (IGSA) facilities. The ICE detainee population is approximately 34,000 detainees daily, with an average length of stay of approximately 30 days, and over 400,000 detainees annually. The IHSC also provides medical support during ICE enforcement operations in the air, on the ground, and at sea.
DHS SUPERVISORY CONTROLS:
DHS
ICE
ERO
HHS SUPERVISORY CONTROLS:
DHHS
USPHS CC
SUPERVISORY CONTROLS:
The Psychiatric APP functions under the clinical supervision of the designated collaborating psychiatrist and the facility clinical director.
The Psychiatric APP is administratively supervised by the facility clinical director.
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. 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)
CV - e.g., relevant experience, education, training. (Place under "Resume")
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)
CV - e.g., relevant experience, education, training. (Place under "Resume")
U.S. Public Health Service - Appointment Board Decision Letter/Email.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
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 09/30/2025.
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. 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)
CV - e.g., relevant experience, education, training. (Place under "Resume")
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)
CV - e.g., relevant experience, education, training. (Place under "Resume")
U.S. Public Health Service - Appointment Board Decision Letter/Email.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
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 09/30/2025.
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.
