Duties
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Incumbent's primary duty is to serve as either a physician assistant or nurse practitioner on a national level, with responsibilities for performing a variety of unusual and complex professional tasks without the benefit of close guidance. Incumbent serves as a provider by providing direct patient care to migrants as identified in Alien Migrant Interdiction Operations and emergency medical care to U.S. Coast Guard staff in accordance to agency procedures and guidelines. Incumbent status is on-call and must respond within 24 to 48 hours' notice. A special operations advanced practice provider (i.e., nurse practitioner or physician assistant) officer may cover incumbent's on-call status as necessary. The incumbent works aboard U.S. Coast Guard cutters and deploys to the cutters via inflatable boats, small cutters, or helicopters. Impact of error can cause serious impairment to program, agency, and division. As a provider, contacts of persons outside the department, high level (i.e., diplomatic), official representation of U.S government while at sea. Work purpose is basic collaboration to meet the health care needs in agency mission. Incumbent serves as either a physician assistant or nurse practitioner on a national level, with responsibilities for performing a variety of unusual and complex professional tasks without the benefit of close guidance. Incumbent serves as a Medical Aircrew Member (MAM) by providing direct patient care for individuals in ICE custody during ICE removal missions in accordance to agency procedures and guidelines. The incumbent works in small aircrafts, business jets, large airliners, or helicopters, which may be civilian, military and U.S. government local, state or federal assets. The incumbent is to anticipate transfers from airframes, including in inclement weather. Transfers may take place on ground vehicles or boats to aircraft. Impact of error can cause serious impairment to program, agency and division. As a provider, contacts of persons outside the department, high level (i.e., diplomatic), official representation of U.S government while overseas. Work purpose is basic collaboration to meet the health care needs in agency mission. In addition, serves as a specialty consultant to local, and national programs; coordinates activities relative to policy development, program implementation and evaluation subject to regulations, policies, procedures, and pertinent laws. Advises local and department level officials regarding policy development, review reports, identify and analyze problems, provide formal written analysis or reports; participates in the design and development of procedures to follow- up on reports. Performs specialized or complex professional tasks without benefit of close supervision or detailed guidelines, independently establishes criteria, formulates approaches and evaluation efforts. Impact of error can cause serious impairment to program, division, and Agency; and, reduce wasted efforts and resources. Contacts of persons inside the immediate work environment and within the Department. This includes the general public. To justify, defend, negotiate, or settle matters involving significant or controversial issues, work at this level usually involves active participation in conferences, meetings, or presentations involving problems or issues of maximum consequences or importance. Incumbent supports ICE ERO Field Offices by providing medical guidance, patient care to individuals in ICE custody, and planning efforts. Incumbents serves a Federal Emergency Response Official credential officer. Incumbent responds to agency emergency needs as requested by the agency. When flight duties and program duties are met (i.e., secondary duties), incumbent serves as either a nurse practitioner or physician assistant at an IHSC facility. Performance of duties and acceptance of responsibilities are recognized to be above the journeyman level in professional. Assumes responsibility for providing care to patients with complex physical mental, or social needs. Develops and implements a comprehensive plan for meeting actual and anticipated patient needs. Performs complex tasks, technical skills, and procedures on patients utilizing sophisticated equipment and nursing techniques effectively and efficiently without the benefit of close guidance. Judgmental failure could seriously affect the health status of one or more individuals. Primary contact is with the general public, members of the health care team, or patients and patients' families in a clinical situation in order to render care. Other program duties and responsibilities as assigned. Performs minor duties and responsibilities as assigned.
Requirements
Conditions of Employment
- 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.
- 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
PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
Required to perform CPR or emergency care standing and kneeling positions at times in confined spaces.
Must have the ability to assist sick, injured, or other during ingress and egress (e.g., may require lifting, dragging, wheeling, or carrying someone who weighs significantly more than oneself).
Must be able to lift and carry 50 lbs. of medical equipment 100 yds. without assistance. Incumbent carries equipment when boarding and disembarking the vessels.
Must be able to see, hear, and smell with aids if necessary.
Must easily alternate between kneeling and standing.
Must be able to perform the duties in a stressful and often austere environment with inclement weather and challenging sea states and altitudes without physical limitations.
Agency may require incumbent to work extended hours and remain at sea, confined cabin space, or aircraft during inclement weather and ground delays.
Must be able to physically able to climb ladders and stairs without impediment.
Must be able to tolerate sudden changes in environment, temperature, seasons, altitudes, geographies and weather. Must be able to pass the FAA Class III Flight Physical for Altitude Physiology Chamber orientation.
Education
REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:
Meet the minimum education, years of experience, and license requirements for either nurse practitioner or physician assistant. Nurse practitioner Master's of science in nursing from a program accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission or the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education; - Three years clinical experience as a nurse practitioner;
- A current, unrestricted, and valid Registered Nurse license from a U.S. State (as defined in 42 USC 201 (f)); and
- Certification as a Family nurse practitioner (FNP) by the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners, American Nurses Credentialing Center, Pediatric Nursing Certification Board, or National Certification Corporation.
Physician assistant - Incumbent must possess an accredited master's degree and must have completed a physician assistant training program accredited by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA) or one of the predecessor organizations
- Three years clinical experience as physician assistant; and
- A current, unrestricted, and valid certification as a physician assistant by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA) from a U.S. State (as defined in 42 USC 201 (f)).
Incumbent must possess and maintain current CPR/Basic Life Support, ACLS, and PALS certification. Knowledge of and ability to apply professional nursing principles, procedures, and techniques to patient care (for Nurse Practitioner), or medical principles, procedures, and techniques (for Physician Assistants). Alertness and skill in providing care and reacting to emergency situations. 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. Knowledge of and participation in established clinic and NCCHC requirements on safety, infection control, quality assurance, maintenance of records of patients seen, statistical information gathering, etc. Knowledge of supply requisition procedure and ability to complete requests for equipment repair and maintenance. Must be able to attain and maintain DHS Secret Clearance. Must be able to attain and maintain a U.S. Government Official Passport. Must maintain minimum flight hour per Official Non-Aircrew member flight orders. Must be able to qualify for Sea Pay. Preferred but not required: - Experience in IHSC health system.
- Correctional health care experience.
- Certification as Correctional Health Care Professional (CCHP).
- Knowledge and/or experience with IHSC policies, NCCHC and PBNDS requirements.
- Knowledge of public health preparedness, infection control and tuberculosis management.
- Advanced Medical Life Support (AMLS), Trauma Nurse Core Course (TNCC), Pre Hospital Trauma Life Support (PHTLS) certification.
- Prior Patient Transport, Flight Nursing or Aerospace Medicine/Nursing experience.
- ANCC Certification as National Healthcare Disaster Professional (NHDB-BC).
- Proficient in Spanish or secondary language
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 (DAD) of Health Systems Support (HSS), IHSC Special Operations Unit (ISOU). Chief of ISOU supervises the incumbent and Deputy Assistant Director of HSS serves as the reviewing official. This is a non-supervisory position.
The ISOU Advanced Practice Provider consists of both family nurse practitioners and physician assistants assigned to ISOU. Incumbents provide medical services to migrants rescued or interdicted at sea on U.S. Coast Guard cutters patrolling the seas, in support of their Alien Migrant Interdiction Operations (AMIO). Incumbent provides on call medical assistance for U.S. Coast Guard cutters patrolling U.S. coastal waters. Incumbent works in conjunction with ICE officers interacting with civilian and government organizations, contract staff, U.S. and foreign dignitaries, and domestic and foreign law enforcement agencies to provide continuity of care.
IHSC has a multi-sector, multidisciplinary workforce of more than 1100 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 21 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 on a daily basis, with an average length of stay of approximately 30 days, and over 400,000 detainees annually. IHSC also provides medical support during ICE enforcement operations in the air, on the ground, and at sea.
SUPERVISORY CONTROLS:
Incumbent works under the direction of the ISOU Unit Chief. While under the U.S. Coast Guard, the U.S. Coast Guard Flight Surgeon provides clinical oversight for operations. The clinical directors provides clinical oversight at the IHSC facility. The ISOU Unit Chief obtains input from the IHSC clinic director and from the U.S. Coast Guard when conducting performance evaluations.
Recurring assignments are not accompanied by instructions; however, objectives, priorities and deadlines are provided on new assignments. The incumbent plans and organizes his/her own work, determines the sequence of assignments, selects, and develops methods, and seeks assistance from experts only rarely. Work is reviewed for feasibility, compatibility with other work, and effectiveness in meeting requirements or expected results. and PHS requirements.
- Benefits
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 .
Review our 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.
- Benefits
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 .
Review our 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.
- Required Documents
As a new or existing federal employee, you and your family may have access to a range of benefits. Your benefits depend on the type of position you have - whether you're a permanent, part-time, temporary or an intermittent employee. You may be eligible for the following benefits, however, check with your agency to make sure you're eligible under their policies.
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)
- Official USPHS Promotion 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.
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:
Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education .
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.
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