Excellence in Federal Healthcare: Clinical Assistant Nurse Manager (O-5 Billet)

In the realm of public health and national service, few opportunities match the impact of managing clinical care in complex detention environments. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), through the ICE Health Service Corps (IHSC), is seeking an experienced, resilient, and mission-driven leader to step into the role of Clinical Assistant Nurse Manager (O-5 Billet) Supervisory in Pearsall, Texas.

This high-level supervisory position represents a critical link in the federal healthcare delivery system. Stationed in a large-scale, high-tempo facility, the Assistant Nurse Manager (ANM) ensures that clinical standards remain unwavering while guiding a diverse team of civil service professionals and contracted medical experts. Tailored exclusively for current United States Public Health Service (USPHS) Commissioned Officers, this post demands exceptional clinical foresight, adaptive leadership capabilities, and a commitment to the welfare of populations under federal care.

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About the Agency: ICE Health Service Corps (IHSC)

The ICE Health Service Corps is a premier public health component operating under the broader umbrella of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the Department of Homeland Security. The mandate of the IHSC is expansive and deeply significant: providing direct medical, dental, and mental health care, as well as robust public health oversight, to individuals housed within designated immigration facilities nationwide.

On any given day, IHSC delivers direct care to approximately 15,300 detainees across 20 state-of-the-art facilities. Beyond direct clinical operations, the agency conducts medical case management and fiscal oversight for an additional 22,600 detainees residing in more than 100 non-IHSC staffed facilities across the country. Annually, the IHSC touches the lives of over 400,000 individuals with an average length of stay hovering around 30 days. To maintain operational readiness, IHSC personnel also deploy medical support during specialized ICE operations on land, in the air, and at sea. Joining IHSC means becoming part of a highly coordinated, multi-disciplinary network dedicated to public safety and humanitarian health stewardship.

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Job Responsibilities & Leadership Mandate

The Assistant Nurse Manager (Associate Chief, Complex Unit) occupies a vital place in the administrative hierarchy of complex facilities, which typically feature over 500 beds, sub-acute inpatient housing units, and heightened operational tempos due to major transport and staging missions.

Core Administrative and Supervisory Duties

• Staff Supervision: Serve as the direct supervisor and rating official for civil service registered nurses and provide essential technical monitoring for contract clinical personnel.
• Strategic Alignment: Collaborate with the primary Facility Nurse Manager to align local procedures with municipal, state, and federal nursing guidelines and statutes.
• Acting Leadership: Step in as the primary Nurse Manager in their absence, providing crucial advisory services to the facility administrator concerning overall nursing goals, policy execution, and patient outcomes.
• Stakeholder Collaboration: Build strong networks of communication with agency stakeholders outside the immediate facility to share clinical insights, seek program support, and interpret operational policies.
• Policy Evolution: Formulate, test, and analyze standard operating procedures and nursing protocols, evaluating their effectiveness using academic and clinical literature.

Technical and Clinical Expectations

• Apply advanced clinical nursing theories to optimize day-to-day healthcare delivery models.
• Assess and plan interventions for non-compliant or high-risk patient populations with compromised coping strategies.
• Collaborate with medical doctors, behavioral health clinicians, and other allied professionals to draft and audit comprehensive patient care initiatives.
• Track, monitor, and record medical data, anticipating the operational impact of procedural shifts within the facility's clinical units.

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Candidate Requirements & Qualifications

Because this is a specialized supervisory position within a hazardous duty detention facility, applicants must meet rigorous educational, clinical, and physical benchmarks. Candidates must be current USPHS Commissioned Officers at the time of application.

Required vs. Preferred Professional Credentials

Credential Type	Required Standard	Preferred Standard
Commission Status	Active-Duty USPHS Commissioned Officer	Experienced O-5 Billet Officer
Education	Baccalaureate Degree in Nursing (BSN)	Master's Degree in Nursing (MSN) or Health Administration
Licensure	Active, unrestricted State Registered Nurse (RN) License	Multi-state compact RN License
Clinical Experience	5 Years of Professional Nursing Experience	2+ Years of Inpatient/Direct Patient Care Experience
Specialty Experience	CPR/BLS Certification	Certified Correctional Health Professional-RN (CCHP-RN)
Sector Experience	General Clinical/Supervisory Background	Prior Correctional or Public Health Experience

Physical Demands of Hazardous Duty

Operating in a secured detention facility requires physical capabilities that go beyond standard clinical settings. Candidates must be prepared to:

• Lift, wheel, drag, or carry objects or patients weighing more than 30 pounds during emergency medical evacuations.
• Perform prolonged standing, walking, and kneeling, especially during life-saving emergency medical procedures (e.g., CPR).
• Maintain operational efficacy in austere environments and demonstrate the physical agility required to respond rapidly to facility-wide emergencies.

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Salary Overview & Financial Structure

The salary for this position ranges from $1 to $150,000 annually, reflecting the broad spectrum of pay, geographic adjustments, and allowances associated with the USPHS Commissioned Corps pay tables at the O-5 grade level. Remuneration packages for active-duty officers typically include basic pay, basic allowance for housing (BAH), and basic allowance for subsistence (BAS), alongside applicable incentive or specialty nursing pays designed to attract top-tier clinical talent. The exact compensation structure is determined based on the selected officer's rank, time in service, and professional accomplishments.

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Benefits & Professional Development

In addition to competitive base compensation, USPHS officers assigned to the ICE Health Service Corps enjoy an exceptional suite of benefits:

• Comprehensive Healthcare: Excellent medical, dental, and vision coverage under TRICARE, ensuring peace of mind for officers and their families.
• Retirement Planning: A structured, secure non-contributory retirement system paired with the federal Thrift Savings Plan (TSP).
• Generous Leave: 30 days of paid annual leave plus federal holiday and sick leave provisions.
• Education & Training: Full support to complete ICE Supervisory Leadership Training and advanced training courses to secure long-term upward mobility.
• Relocation Support: Comprehensive Permanent Change of Station (PCS) moving allowances for qualified officers relocating to Pearsall, Texas.

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Application Steps & Insider Tips

Securing a supervisory position within the IHSC requires careful preparation of your application packet. Follow these steps to ensure full consideration:

1. Prepare Your USPHS Promotion CV: Tailor your CV to clearly document your leadership roles, administrative experience, and 5+ years of clinical nurse history.
2. Gather Performance Appraisals: Compile your three most recent Commissioned Officer Effectiveness Reports (COERs) to submit in the "Performance Appraisal" section of the portal.
3. Verify License Status: Ensure your active, unrestricted RN license documents are uploaded and current.
4. Submit Status Agreements: Current IHSC PHS officers must submit their Service Remaining Requirements Agreement. All candidates must either submit an Assignment Pay (AP) Agreement or a signed memorandum clarifying the absence of an AP Agreement.
5. Complete the USA Staffing Questionnaire: Navigate to USAJobs via the application link, launch the occupational questionnaire, and thoroughly answer all questions. Your responses must be backed by the experience detailed in your CV.

Insider Tip: Submit your application several days ahead of the September 30, 2026 deadline. Missing, corrupt, or incomplete documentation can instantly disqualify an applicant from the referral list.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Can civilian nurses or Call to Active Duty (CAD) candidates apply for this opening?

No. This position is strictly limited to current active-duty USPHS Commissioned Officers. CAD candidates are not eligible for selection under this announcement.

Q2: What is the timeline for completing required training courses?

Selected officers must complete the core ICE Supervisory Leadership Training within one year of taking the post. Acquiring the Certified Correctional Health Professional-RN (CCHP-RN) credential is required within two years of assignment.

Q3: Does the position involve travel?

Yes, some travel may be required to support off-site operations, regional training initiatives, or administrative meetings within the Department of Homeland Security.

Q4: How is performance evaluated in this role?

Supervisory controls are long-term and broadly defined. Selected officers plan and organize their assignments independently. Work outcomes are reviewed for policy alignment, compatibility with regional programs, and overall clinical effectiveness by the Nurse Manager and Regional Nurse Manager.

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The position of Clinical Assistant Nurse Manager (O-5 Billet) in Pearsall, Texas, is more than a supervisory job; it is a profound leadership calling. By combining advanced clinical oversight with hands-on team development, you can help steer the healthcare operations of a vital federal agency. If you are an active-duty USPHS officer possessing the technical nursing expertise, administrative drive, and physical endurance required for detention healthcare, take the next step in your career. Submit your application package today to help lead the ICE Health Service Corps mission.