Elite Federal Healthcare Leadership: Clinical Nurse Manager (O-6 Billet) in Miami, Florida

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Health Service Corps (IHSC) are presenting an elite leadership opportunity for seasoned healthcare professionals. The role of Clinical Nurse Manager (O-6 Billet) Supervisory in Miami, Florida, is a highly respected position tailored for senior military medical personnel. This vacancy represents more than a clinical posting; it is a vital administrative and operational command within a dynamic, large-scale healthcare system.

Reserved exclusively for active Commissioned Officers of the United States Public Health Service (USPHS), this billet demands exceptional leadership, profound clinical acumen, and the capacity to coordinate complex healthcare initiatives. Operating at the highest standard of federal medicine, the Clinical Nurse Manager oversees staff, handles administrative protocols, and ensures that comprehensive, compassionate care is delivered to populations within federal custody.

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About the Agency: ICE Health Service Corps (IHSC)

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is the primary investigative arm of the Department of Homeland Security and the second-largest federal investigative agency in the United States. With more than 20,000 employees spread across hundreds of domestic and international offices, ICE's mission focuses on smart immigration enforcement, national security, and preventing cross-border criminal enterprises.

Operating within ICE’s Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO), the ICE Health Service Corps (IHSC) is charged with providing direct healthcare services to individuals in ICE custody. The IHSC workforce is composed of a diverse cadre of healthcare professionals, including USPHS Commissioned Officers, federal civil servants, and contract clinical partners. The organization prides itself on delivering high-quality, multidisciplinary services that align with national correctional standards, ensuring human dignity, safety, and operational excellence.

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Job Responsibilities and the TRIAD Leadership Model

The Clinical Nurse Manager serves as a primary pillar of the local facility leadership team, commonly referred to as the TRIAD. This governing health authority consists of the Clinical Director (CD), the Health Service Administrator (HSA), and the Nurse Manager (NM). Working in unison, the TRIAD coordinates clinical governance, ensuring administrative policies, fiscal responsibilities, and clinical treatments are executed flawlessly.

Primary Supervisory and Administrative Duties

• Staff Leadership and Mentorship: Direct and supervise the Assistant Nurse Manager, serve as the formal reviewing official for all federal civil service nursing personnel, and act as the principal technical monitor for contract nursing resources.
• Operational Oversight: Plan, organize, and direct daily operations in an complex, high-capacity medical unit (frequently exceeding 500 beds) that includes sub-acute inpatient care and staging modules.
• Quality Assurance and Compliance: Conduct routine audits of nursing documentation to evaluate treatment progression, adherence to clinical nursing guidelines, and compliance with national healthcare regulations.
• Emergency Coordination: Lead emergency medical response preparedness and ensure clinical staff are thoroughly trained to manage acute medical emergencies, patient transfers, and evacuation procedures.
• Interagency Collaboration: Act as the primary nursing advisor to regional staff and maintain communication channels with key public health stakeholders, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), state and local health agencies, and federal partners.

Specialized Clinical Duties

• Intake and Assessment: Ensure standard operating procedures are carried out for newly admitted detainees, incorporating clinical interviewing techniques that reduce patient anxiety and identify immediate chronic or mental health requirements.
• Crisis Intervention: Direct care modifications for patients exhibiting significant deficits in coping skills or those requiring specialized behavioral interventions.
• Medication Security: Implement strict security measures to govern the administration and transport of medications, proactively monitoring and mitigating risks associated with drug hoarding or trafficking within a detention setting.

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Requirements and Professional Qualifications

To ensure the safety and welfare of both staff and patients, candidates must meet rigorous academic, professional, and medical standards. The following table highlights the essential benchmarks required for this senior leadership position:

Qualification Standards Matrix

Professional Parameter	Minimum Required Criteria	Preferred Profile / Qualifications
Military Status	Current, Active USPHS Commissioned Officer (O-6)	Established history of successful USPHS leadership
Academic Degree	Baccalaureate Degree in Nursing (BSN)	Master's Degree in Nursing (MSN) or Healthcare Admin
Clinical Experience	9 Years of professional clinical experience	Experience in high-volume, inpatient, or emergency care
Specialized Experience	4 Years in a specialty nursing area	4+ Years specifically in a correctional health environment
Leadership Experience	3 Years in a clinical supervisory capacity	Management of multidisciplinary teams in federal settings
Licensure	Active, unrestricted Registered Nurse (RN) license	Multistate or Compact RN licensure preferred
Certifications	CPR / Basic Life Support (BLS)	Certified Correctional Health Professional (CCHP-RN)

Additional Mandatory Training and Timelines

Because this is a specialized supervisory position, selectees are required to complete targeted professional development programs to maintain their billet:

1. ICE Supervisory Leadership Training: Must be completed within one (1) year of assignment.
2. Advanced ICE Supervisory Leadership Training: Must be completed within two (2) years of assignment.
3. CCHP-RN Certification: Candidates must obtain their Certified Correctional Health Professional-Registered Nurse credential within two (2) years of placing into the billet.

Physical Demands of the Role

This position is designated as hazardous duty within a secure detention environment. Clinical Nurse Managers must remain physically agile and ready to respond to emergencies. Physical demands include:

• Lifting and moving objects or equipment weighing more than 30 pounds.
• The ability to drag, wheel, lift, or carry patients during an emergency evacuation or drill.
• Maintaining physical endurance for prolonged standing, running short distances, and performing CPR or emergency medical maneuvers on hard surfaces.
• Adapting to austere and high-stress environments.

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Salary and Compensation Overview

The remuneration for this O-6 Commissioned Officer billet is structured based on the active-duty pay tables of the U.S. Public Health Service, with a listed range reaching up to $150,000 per year. Actual take-home compensation for USPHS officers is highly competitive and is determined by several factors, including:

• Basic Pay: Calculated according to length of service and active officer rank.
• Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH): Non-taxable allowances based on the Miami, Florida geographic region.
• Basic Allowance for Subsistence (BAS): Monthly tax-free food allowances.
• Specialty and Incentive Pays: Eligible clinical officers may qualify for professional board-certified pay, retention bonuses, and other military-style incentive programs.

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Comprehensive Benefits

Commissioned Officers of the USPHS enjoy premier benefits comparable to those of other uniformed service branches:

• Comprehensive Health Insurance: No-cost medical and dental care for the officer through Tricare Prime, along with heavily subsidized coverage for eligible dependents.
• Retirement Pension: Non-contributory retirement pension after 20 years of active-duty service.
• Thrift Savings Plan (TSP): Access to the federal government’s 401(k)-style retirement savings program with various investment options.
• Relocation Assistance: Authorized permanent change of station (PCS) expenses covered for relocation to the Miami area.
• Education and Training: Continuous, fully funded professional training, clinical workshops, and academic advancement opportunities.

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Application Steps and Expert Tips

Applying for a high-level USPHS billet requires attention to detail. Follow these steps to ensure your application package is competitive:

Complete Application Checklist

1. Submit on USAJobs: Access the portal and initiate the application process. Complete the administrative questionnaire and click "Submit My Answers."
2. USPHS Promotion CV: Prepare and upload your official USPHS Promotion CV detailing your clinical service record. You may also attach a civilian-formatted resume to clarify specific day-to-day nursing duties.
3. COER Appraisals: Submit your three (3) most recent Commissioned Officer Effectiveness Reports.
4. Credentialing Documents: Provide proof of an active, unrestricted Registered Nurse license, academic transcripts, and professional certificates.
5. Service Remaining Requirements Agreement (SRRA): Current IHSC PHS officers must supply their current SRRA.
6. Assignment Pay (AP) Agreement Memo: Upload either your current AP Agreement or a formal signed memorandum certifying that you are not under an active AP commitment.

Expert Application Tips

• Align Your CV with the Billet: Clearly highlight your 9 years of nursing experience and emphasize any administrative, supervisory, or management history. Quantify your achievements (e.g., "supervised a staff of 15 nurses," "managed a 600-bed clinical operational framework").
• Ensure Documentation Completeness: Omission of a single document, such as a license copy or COER, will result in immediate disqualification. Double-check all PDF attachments before finalizing your submission.
• Apply Early: The announcement remains open until September 30, 2026. However, staffing selections and interviews occur on a rolling basis. Submitting early ensures maximum consideration.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Is this job open to civilians or individuals seeking a commission (CAD)?

No. This position is strictly an active-duty O-6 billet reserved for current Commissioned Officers of the U.S. Public Health Service. Call to Active Duty (CAD) applicants are not eligible for direct hire into this supervisory position.

Q2: What type of facility will I be managing in Miami?

This position is located at a larger, complex IHSC detention facility. These facilities typically maintain over 500 beds, house sub-acute medical units, and have an accelerated operational tempo due to intensive staging, transport, and international public health missions.

Q3: What is the primary role of the local leadership TRIAD?

The TRIAD serves as the joint governing authority for the facility's medical operations. The Clinical Nurse Manager, the Clinical Director, and the Health Service Administrator work as equal partners to manage clinical protocols, facility budgets, and security procedures while ensuring high-quality healthcare delivery.

Q4: Are there opportunities for telework or remote work?

No. Due to the supervisory, clinical, and security requirements of this position in a physical detention facility, this job requires a constant on-site presence and is not eligible for telework or remote work arrangements.

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The position of Clinical Nurse Manager (O-6 Billet) Supervisory with the ICE Health Service Corps in Miami is a premier opportunity for senior USPHS officers. It offers a rare chance to operate at the pinnacle of federal healthcare management, directing a talented team and making critical decisions that directly impact public health and safety. For eligible officers possessing the required 9 years of clinical expertise and a passion for mission-focused leadership, this command position in Florida offers an exceptional, rewarding career path.