Advanced Practice Provider (O-3/O-4/O-5 Billet) Non-Supervisory
Department of Homeland Security – Immigration and Customs Enforcement
Summary
The Physician Assistant (PA) or Nurse Practitioner (NP) provides direct detainee care, including evaluations, minor procedures, and medication prescriptions. Coordinates referrals, ensures policy compliance, and mentors APPs. Requires licensure and certification. The incumbent reports directly to the Supervisory APP.
If no Supervisory APP is on-site, the incumbent reports to the facility Clinical Director. This position is only open to USPHS officers and Call to Active Duty (CAD) candidates.
Duties
- (O-3 & O-4 Billet): A physician assistant or nurse practitioner who practices in conformance with established criteria, guidelines, and agency procedures.
- Efforts are directed toward the enhancement of the physical, emotional, and social well-being of individuals.
- Judgmental failure could seriously affect the health status of one or more individuals.
- Decisions are reviewed as needed with medical officers or other advanced practice providers.
- Provides health care of a scope, quality, and quantity consistent with agency and PHS policies.
- Primary contact is with persons outside the immediate work environment, but within the agency.
- This includes the general public and patients.
- The primary mission is to meet their health care needs, obtain and provide information, present reports, and further the goals and objectives of the PHS and the agency.
- Performs comprehensive history and physical evaluations, behavioral health care, and minor outpatient surgical procedures for detainees as required by IHSC policy, or as required for detainee medical complaint.
- Coordinates health care needs of detainees including referrals to off-site consultants.
- Takes appropriate infection control actions in accordance with IHSC policy and guidance.
- Completes all training as required/assigned.
- Attends on-site, regional, and national meetings as required.
- O-4 level participates in the APP Peer Review process.
- Performs other duties and responsibilities as assigned.
- (O-5 Billet): Provides direct care to detainees via scheduled appointments, emergency, or urgent care visits.
- Consults with the physician / Clinical Director for complex medical and/or psychiatric patients and as required by IHSC policy.
- Provides infirmary care including admission, discharge, and daily rounds for detainees that require higher levels of medical care or monitoring.
- Performs comprehensive history and physical evaluations, behavioral health care, and minor outpatient surgical procedures for detainees as required by IHSC policy, or as required for 2 3/6/2019 detainee medical complaint.
- Works within and performs functions as outlined in the IHSC Advanced Practice Provider (APP) Scope of Practice and the Controlled Prescribing Scope of Practice for APPs.
- Applies knowledge of drugs and therapeutics when prescribing medication.
- Coordinates health care needs of detainees including referrals to off-site consultants.
- Interprets diagnostic and laboratory results.
- Interprets Tuberculin skin tests (TSTs) and diagnostic studies, manages Direct Observation Therapy (DOT) for treatment of active or latent tuberculosis.
- Takes appropriate infection control actions in accordance with IHSC policy and guidance.
- Adheres to universal precautions and properly disposes of all sharps.
- 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.
- Provides relevant patient health 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.
- Serves as Acting Senior Supervisory APP or Acting Regional APP.
- Facilitates and mentors APP onboarding and training.
- Attends on-site, regional, and national meetings as required.
- Participates in the APP Peer review process.
- Performs other duties and responsibilities as assigned.
Education
Required Knowledge, SKILLS, And Abilities (O-3 & O-4 Billet): Individuals applying for an O-3 billet / GS equivalent are a new graduate or have no clinical experience. Upgrade to O-4 is dependent upon adequate performance. Individuals applying for O-4 / GS equivalent have one year of clinical experience as a PA or NP, are officers currently in an O-4 billet, or approved by the Deputy Medical Director. Meet the minimum education and certification requirements for either a nurse practitioner or physician assistant.
Nurse practitioner. Requires unrestricted Family Nurse Practitioner or Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner state license, national board certification through the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) or the American Nurse Credentialing Center (ANCC). Current licensure as a Nurse Practitioner – Certified by a State, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or territory of the United States. Certified advance practice nurse practitioner degree from a graduate school of training program approved for this qualifying degree.
Knowledge of the Nurse Practice Act for the licensing state and/or the state in which one practices nursing. Physician assistant. Must possess an accredited bachelor’s, or master’s degree, and completed a physician assistant training program accredited by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (Arc-pa), national certification through the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA), and an unrestricted physician assistant state license. Fulfills the obligation(s) of their licensing or certifying body to maintain currency.
Must be licensed by a State, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or territory of the United States. If applicable, maintains unrestricted license with state of licensure and the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) to prescribe controlled medications. Maintains basic readiness for duty. Maintains current Cpr/bls certification.
Maintains clinical professional skills via continuing education opportunities. Preferred Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: Experience in correctional health care Knowledge and/or experience with IHSC policies, NCCHC and PBNDS requirements. Knowledge of public health preparedness, infection control and TB management ACLS certification DEA Buprenorphine X Waiver certification Required Knowledge, SKILLS, And Abilities (O-5 Billet): Requires more than 4 years of full-time clinical experience as a PA or NP or approval of the IHSC Medical Director. Team lead or supervisory experience.
Physician Assistant- Requires unrestricted Physician Assistant state license, national board certification through the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA). Nurse Practitioner – Requires unrestricted Family Nurse Practitioner or Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner state license, national board certification through the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) or the American Nurse Credentialing Center (ANCC).” Current licensure as a Nurse Practitioner – Certified by a State, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or territory of the United States. Certified advance practice nurse practitioner degree from a graduate school of training program approved for this qualifying degree. Knowledge of the Nurse Practice Act for the licensing state and/or the state in which one practices nursing.
Fulfills the obligation(s) of their licensing or certifying body to maintain currency. Must be licensed by a State, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or territory of the United States. Maintains unrestricted license with state of licensure and the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) to prescribe controlled medications. Maintains basic readiness for duty.
Maintains current Cpr/bls certification. Maintains clinical professional skills via continuing education opportunities. Preferred Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: Correctional health care experience. 3 3/6/2019 Certification as Correctional Healthcare Professional (CCHP) Knowledge and/or experience with IHSC policies, NCCHC and PBNDS requirements. Knowledge of public health preparedness, infection control and TB management.
ACLS certification
Required Documents
Prepare the documents below before applying. Always confirm the exact requirements on the official announcement, since they vary by position:
- A complete application includes: U.
- 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.
About this role
The Advanced Practice Provider (O-3/O-4/O-5 Billet) Non-Supervisory position with the Department of Homeland Security is based in Eloy, Arizona. The Physician Assistant (PA) or Nurse Practitioner (NP) provides direct detainee care, including evaluations, minor procedures, and medication prescriptions. The role pays $1 to $150,000 per year.
Day to day, the work involves providing health care of a scope, quality, and quantity consistent with agency and PHS policies. The full list of duties, conditions, and required documents appears in the official announcement linked on this page.
Who should apply
This role calls for an active, unrestricted license or required registration. Match your federal resume directly to the announcement's wording so a reviewer can confirm each requirement in writing. For this Advanced Practice Provider (O-3/O-4/O-5 Billet) Non-Supervisory position with the Department of Homeland Security in Eloy, Arizona, confirm you meet each requirement before applying.
How competitive it is
The posted pay of $1 to $150,000 per year places this in a competitive but attainable range for qualified applicants. Because it is a supervisory or senior position, expect experienced candidates and a strong emphasis on a documented leadership and performance record. Based in Eloy, Arizona, it competes within that local market, which can mean lighter competition than major metropolitan postings. The announcement closes on September 30, 2026, and federal postings can close early once enough applications arrive, so applying promptly is wise.
This overview is general guidance from Job Army to help you understand the role. Always read the official announcement for exact duties, qualifications, and requirements before applying.
