Dynamic Clinical Careers with the USPHS: Join the ICE Health Service Corps as an Advanced Practice Provider

Are you a dedicated healthcare clinician who thrives on delivering exceptional patient care under a critical public health mission? The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), in collaboration with the U.S. Public Health Service (USPHS) Commissioned Corps, is seeking highly skilled and motivated clinical professionals. A rare and impactful opportunity is currently open for an Advanced Practice Provider (Nurse Practitioner or Physician Assistant) to join the ICE Health Service Corps (IHSC) in Elizabeth, New Jersey.

This is a non-supervisory, highly dynamic clinical role structured across O-3, O-4, and O-5 officer billets. It offers uniformed officers and Call to Active Duty (CAD) candidates a meaningful path to leverage their clinical skills in a unique healthcare environment. Operating at the intersection of federal law enforcement and public medicine, this position is designed for individuals driven by service, professional excellence, and a deep-seated commitment to clinical advocacy.

About the Agency: The ICE Health Service Corps (IHSC)

The ICE Health Service Corps (IHSC) operates as a critical component of Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) within U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), an arm of the Department of Homeland Security. IHSC's workforce is uniquely multidisciplinary and multi-sector, comprising more than 1,400 dedicated personnel. This team includes USPHS Commissioned Officers, federal civil service employees, and contract clinical staff working in unison.

IHSC holds a massive responsibility within the federal government:

On-Site Direct Care: Deliver comprehensive on-site healthcare to approximately 34,000 detainees daily across 23 major detention facilities nationwide.
Off-Site Medical Coordination: Manage medical evaluations and specialty services for detainees housed in approximately 240 Intergovernmental Service Agreement (IGSA) partner facilities.
Operational Support: Provide expert medical support during complex ICE enforcement actions on land, at sea, and in the air.
Scope of Practice: Handle more than 400,000 patient transitions annually, providing stabilizing care with an average detainee length of stay of about 30 days.

By joining the Elizabeth, New Jersey team, you become an essential link in this high-performing clinical chain, serving a diverse population with complex acute and chronic healthcare needs.

Job Responsibilities: O-3, O-4, and O-5 Billets

As an Advanced Practice Provider (APP) within the IHSC, your daily duties will scale depending on your commissioned officer rank and corresponding billet. The administrative structure is carefully designed to transition clinicians from foundational patient care into expanded clinical oversight, leadership, and regional coordination.

Core Responsibilities (O-3 & O-4 Billets)

Officers appointed to the O-3 or O-4 billets focus directly on the clinical frontline. Key responsibilities include:

Comprehensive Evaluations: Conducting thorough medical history reviews, full behavioral health screenings, and routine physical examinations.
Minor Clinical Procedures: Executing minor outpatient surgical procedures and diagnostic interventions as dictated by facility needs and clinical protocols.
Infection Control & TB Care: Carrying out active infection control practices, reviewing diagnostic tests, and implementing guidelines to prevent disease transmission.
Collaborative Care: Working closely with staff physicians and Clinical Directors to coordinate off-site specialty consultations and handle referrals.
Peer Review Participation: O-4 officers actively participate in the formal APP clinical peer review process, assessing care quality and ensuring compliance with clinical protocols.

Advanced Responsibilities (O-5 Billet)

Officers operating in the O-5 billet assume a broader clinical scope and take on vital training and mentorship functions. Their duties include:

Independent Complex Care: Evaluating complex medical and psychiatric patients, performing infirmary rounds, managing admissions, and directing discharges.
Tuberculosis Management: Coordinating Direct Observation Therapy (DOT) programs for patients diagnosed with latent or active tuberculosis.
Institutional Leadership: Acting as the Senior Supervisory APP or Regional APP in their absence, providing crucial administrative oversight.
Onboarding & Mentorship: Designing, facilitating, and leading onboarding and hands-on training for newly hired APPs.
Medical Escort Operations: Serving as a primary clinical escort during domestic or international detainee transit missions.
Universal Access Assistance: Utilizing translation, interpretation, and assistive tools to ensure effective communication with Limited English Proficient (LEP) individuals.

Qualifications and Education Requirements

To ensure the delivery of high-quality medical services, applicants must meet precise licensing, educational, and experience standards based on their chosen clinical path and designated billet level.

Clinical Educational Requirements

Nurse Practitioners (NP): Must hold a master's or doctor of nursing practice (DNP) degree from an approved graduate nursing program. Candidates must maintain an active, unrestricted Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) or Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner (AGNP) license alongside national board certification from the AANP or ANCC.
Physician Assistants (PA): Must have graduated from an academic program fully accredited by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA). Candidates must maintain an active, unrestricted state license and pass the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA) exam.

Billet Comparison Table

Clinical Metric / Requirement	O-3 / O-4 Billet	O-5 Billet
Prior Clinical Experience	0 to 1 Year (O-3: New Graduate; O-4: 1+ Year)	4+ Years of Full-Time Clinical Practice
Licensing & DEA	Unrestricted state license & active DEA registration	Unrestricted state license & active DEA registration
Board Certifications	NCCPA (PA) or AANP/ANCC (NP)	NCCPA (PA) or AANP/ANCC (NP)
Leadership & Onboarding	Focuses on direct patient care under oversight	Mentors, guides onboarding, and leads clinical peers
Peer Review Role	O-4 participates in peer reviews as evaluated	Actively leads, coordinates, and conducts peer reviews
Preferred Credentials	ACLS; Initial exposure to correctional health	CCHP (Certified Correctional Health Professional); ACLS

Physical Demands & Readiness

This role is clinically active and physically demanding. Officers must remain medically and physically prepared to handle emergencies. Essential physical demands include:

The strength to lift objects weighing more than 30 pounds.
The agility to deliver CPR or immediate life-saving care while kneeling, bending, or standing for long periods.
The ability to drag, carry, or wheel sick or disabled staff or detainees out of danger during facility emergencies.
The stamina to run short distances and operate effectively in highly austere or restricted environments.

Salary and Benefits Overview

Federal careers within the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps offer stable, rewarding compensation models that compare favorably with private sector clinical packages. The compensation range listed for this position is $1 to $150,000 per year, which is configured according to the officer's active rank, geographical duty station, and qualifications.

The Uniformed Services Benefit Package

USPHS Commissioned Officers receive a comprehensive suite of compensation components, including:

Tax-Advantaged Allowances: Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) and Basic Allowance for Subsistence (BAS), which substantially increase take-home pay.
Comprehensive Medical Care: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance for the officer and low-cost health options for eligible dependents.
Thrift Savings Plan (TSP): Participation in the federal TSP, offering retirement savings matching programs alongside a traditional pension plan.
Generous Paid Leave: 30 days of paid annual leave accrued each year, sick leave, and standard federal holiday closures.
Professional Development: Direct financial assistance for continuing medical education (CME) and clinical training opportunities.

Application Tips and Step-by-Step Instructions

Applying for a federal billet as a USPHS officer requires careful preparation. Ensure your application packet is complete to prevent administrative disqualification.

Step-by-Step Guide to Apply

Access the Portal: Select the official apply link on USAJOBS to be redirected to the USA Staffing system.
Complete the Assessment: Answer all questions in the occupational questionnaire, saving your progress frequently.
Upload Core Credentials: Submit copies of your master's degree, professional PA/NP license, and national board certifications (AANP, ANCC, or NCCPA).
Submit Officer Documents: Active USPHS officers must upload their official USPHS Promotion CV, Certificate of Investigation, three recent COERs, and an Assignment Pay Agreement (or signed memo certifying no current AP agreement).
Call to Active Duty (CAD) Uploads: CAD candidates must upload their CV, three professional references, state licenses, and their formal USPHS Appointment Board Decision Letter or official AES dashboard screenshot.
Finalize Submission: Confirm that all documents are fully uploaded and submit the complete application before July 22, 2026, at 11:59 PM EST.

High-Value Application Tips

Align Your CV: Make sure your USPHS Promotion CV clearly highlights your precise dates of clinical employment and your primary responsibilities to simplify the qualifications review.
Scan Cleanly: Upload complete, clear scans of your state medical licenses and DEA registration. Cut-off margins or missing signatures can stall your application.
Prepare References: Contact your three references beforehand to ensure they are ready to provide quick, professional verifications when contacted.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Can non-commissioned civil service applicants apply for this position?

No. This vacancy is exclusively designated for active-duty U.S. Public Health Service (USPHS) Commissioned Officers and authorized Call to Active Duty (CAD) candidates.

Q: Is there any travel associated with this Advanced Practice Provider role?

Yes. While you will be stationed primarily at the facility in Elizabeth, New Jersey, some duties (particularly at the O-5 level) may require domestic or international travel as a medical escort for clinical transfers.

Q: What safety measures are implemented in these environments?

IHSC maintains strict safety and infection control standards. Providers are supplied with personal protective equipment (PPE) and work within facilities built with secure, structured controls overseen by law enforcement staff.

Q: Who provides clinical and administrative supervision for this role?

Administratively, you will report to the on-site Health Services Administrator (HSA). Your clinical direction and medical oversight will be guided by the facility Clinical Director or a designated Senior Advanced Practice Provider.

Working as an Advanced Practice Provider with the ICE Health Service Corps in Elizabeth, New Jersey, is more than a standard clinical position—it is a calling. This role gives USPHS Commissioned Officers and Call to Active Duty candidates the chance to practice medicine where it is needed most, solving complex public health challenges daily. If you are ready to combine clinical expertise, federal leadership, and a commitment to patient care, take the next step in your career. Compile your credentials, align your professional CV, and submit your application to join the ICE Health Service Corps clinical team today.

Why This Advanced Practice Provider (O-3/O-4/O-5 Billet) Non-Supervisory Job Matters

Elevate your clinical practice on the front lines of public health. Serve your nation as a USPHS Commissioned Officer with the ICE Health Service Corps in New Jersey.

Advanced Practice Provider (O-3/O-4/O-5 Billet) Non-Supervisory Job Overview

The Department of Homeland Security's ICE Health Service Corps (IHSC) is seeking compassionate and highly skilled Advanced Practice Providers (Family/Adult Nurse Practitioners or Physician Assistants) for non-supervisory billets at the O-3, O-4, and O-5 levels. Located in Elizabeth, New Jersey, this essential role delivers direct medical care, evaluations, and treatments to individuals within federal care. This career path is exclusively open to active U.S. Public Health Service (USPHS) Commissioned Officers and approved Call to Active Duty (CAD) candidates ready to practice medicine in a high-impact, public health environment.

Requirements for Advanced Practice Provider (O-3/O-4/O-5 Billet) Non-Supervisory

Must be an active U.S. Public Health Service (USPHS) Commissioned Officer or an approved Call to Active Duty (CAD) candidate.
Must hold an active, unrestricted license as a Nurse Practitioner or Physician Assistant from a U.S. state, territory, or the District of Columbia.
Nurse Practitioners must hold national board certification (AANP or ANCC) and have a degree from an approved graduate program.
Physician Assistants must possess a degree from an ARC-PA accredited program and hold active NCCPA national certification.
Must possess or be able to maintain an unrestricted Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) registration for controlled substances.
Must possess active CPR and Basic Life Support (BLS) certifications.
Must maintain basic USPHS readiness for duty standards.
Ability to satisfy physical demands of emergency response, including lifting over 30 pounds, performing CPR on the floor, and assisting individuals during emergency evacuations.

Preferred Qualifications for Advanced Practice Provider (O-3/O-4/O-5 Billet) Non-Supervisory

Prior professional clinical experience in a correctional, institutional, or detention facility.
Certified Correctional Health Professional (CCHP) credential (strongly preferred for O-5 billets).
Active Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) certification.
Functional knowledge of IHSC medical guidelines, NCCHC, and Performance-Based National Detention Standards (PBNDS).
Familiarity with infectious disease management, public health preparedness, and Direct Observation Therapy (DOT) for Tuberculosis.
Active DEA Buprenorphine X-Waiver.

Federal Benefits & Perks

✓Competitive military-equivalent salary consisting of basic pay, Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH), and Basic Allowance for Subsistence (BAS).
✓Comprehensive federal healthcare, dental, and vision insurance coverage.
✓Generous retirement plan under the Uniformed Services pension system with Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) options.
✓30 days of paid annual leave plus federal holidays.
✓Continuous professional development opportunities and continuing medical education (CME) assistance.
✓Relocation benefits and potential assignment pay incentives depending on candidate eligibility.

💡 How to Apply Advanced Practice Provider (O-3/O-4/O-5 Billet) Non-Supervisory Job & Insider Tips

Application Steps for Advanced Practice Provider (O-3/O-4/O-5 Billet) Non-Supervisory Job

Access the official USAJOBS application portal through the provided announcement links.
Log into your existing USAJOBS account or create a new user profile.
Complete the online occupational assessment questionnaire, answering all questions accurately.
Upload your official USPHS Promotion CV and a civilian resume detailing your clinical experience history.
Submit your primary professional NP/PA license, national board certifications, and official degree transcripts.
Upload auxiliary USPHS documents including your last three Commissioned Officer Effectiveness Reports (COER), Certificate of Investigation, and Assignment Pay Agreements.
Review your complete application packet and click the final submission button before 11:59 PM EST on July 22, 2026.

💡 General Tips

Format your professional CV to mirror the standard USPHS structure, ensuring clinical years and credential details are immediately recognizable.
Ensure your uploaded licensing documents clearly display an active expiration date and unrestricted status.
Keep three professional references ready, complete with current email addresses, phone numbers, and job titles.
Submit your application early to resolve any technical issues or missing document notices with the HR office before the firm closing date.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can civilian healthcare providers apply for this role?

No. This position is strictly limited to active U.S. Public Health Service (USPHS) Commissioned Officers and approved Call to Active Duty (CAD) candidates. Civilian applicants are not eligible for this specific billet.

What clinical differences exist between the O-3, O-4, and O-5 billets?

O-3 billets are targeted at new graduates with minimal clinical experience. O-4 billets require at least one year of professional clinical experience and inclusion in peer-review processes. O-5 billets require more than four years of clinical experience, clinical leadership, and capabilities to serve as an Acting Senior or Regional APP.

Is telework or remote work an option for this position?

No. Because this role requires direct, on-site clinical care and emergency medical response duties for detainees, telework and remote work are not available.

What is the physical location of the facility?

This position is based full-time on-site at the ICE Health Service Corps clinical facility located in Elizabeth, New Jersey.

Advanced Practice Provider (O-3/O-4/O-5 Billet) Non-Supervisory Job

Immigration And Customs Enforcement