Advance Your Career in Correctional Mental Health: Psychiatric Advanced Practice Provider

The ICE Health Service Corps (IHSC) plays a vital role in protecting national security and ensuring the human welfare of detainees. We are currently seeking a highly skilled Psychiatric Advanced Practice Provider (APP) to join our team in Conroe, Texas. This unique position, open to U.S. Public Health Service (USPHS) officers and Call to Active Duty (CAD) candidates, offers the chance to provide essential mental health care in a critical environment.

Job Responsibilities

As a Psychiatric APP, your responsibilities are extensive and clinically diverse:

Perform comprehensive psychiatric evaluations and initiate evidence-based treatment plans.
Conduct medication management and patient education sessions.
Provide telepsychiatry and on-site care for urgent or emergency mental health needs.
Coordinate complex care needs with collaborating psychiatrists.
Maintain precise documentation in line with IHSC policy and confidentiality standards.

Comparison Table: O-4 vs. O-5 Billet Requirements

Feature	O-4 Billet	O-5 Billet
Experience	6+ months	3-5 years
Certification (PA)	NCCPA Required	NCCPA (Psych CAQ Required)
Certification (Pharm)	N/A	BCPP (BPS) Required
Scope	Clinical Focus	Advanced/Program Focus

Requirements

This position demands clinical excellence and professional resilience. Candidates must hold an unrestricted license as a PMHNP, PA, or Pharmacist (for O-5). You must possess a high level of physical readiness, as the role requires the ability to stand for long periods, perform CPR, and lift up to 30 pounds.

Salary Overview

This position offers a competitive salary of up to $150,000 per year, commensurate with your grade level and USPHS commissioning status. Benefits include federal leave, healthcare coverage, and the fulfillment of serving in a high-impact public health role.

Serving as a Psychiatric APP with the IHSC is a rewarding way to apply your clinical skills where they are needed most. If you are a USPHS officer or a qualified candidate ready for the next step in your federal service, we encourage you to review the application requirements and apply today.

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

Make a meaningful impact on public safety and individual health by joining the ICE Health Service Corps as a Psychiatric Advanced Practice Provider.

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

The Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Health Service Corps is seeking a dedicated Psychiatric Advanced Practice Provider to join our clinical team in Conroe, Texas. This role is exclusive to U.S. Public Health Service (USPHS) officers and Call to Active Duty (CAD) candidates. You will provide essential mental health care, including psychiatric evaluations, treatment planning, and medication management, in a fast-paced and challenging correctional environment. Working alongside psychiatrists and multidisciplinary medical staff, you will ensure detainees receive high-quality, compassionate care while upholding agency mission standards.

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

Must be a U.S. Public Health Service (USPHS) officer or a Call to Active Duty (CAD) candidate.
Must possess an unrestricted license in the state of practice.
PMHNP candidates require national board certification through the ANCC.
Physician Assistant candidates require national board certification through the NCCPA.
For O-4 billets: Minimum of 6 months full-time experience in direct psychiatric patient care.
For O-5 billets: 3-5 years of full-time psychiatric APP experience (or equivalent approval from the Chief Psychiatrist).
Must maintain current CPR/BLS certification.
Ability to obtain a DEA registration for controlled substance prescribing within 90 days of hire.
Must meet strict physical demands, including walking, standing, and lifting up to 30 pounds.
Ability to work in a high-stress, austere environment.

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

Certification as a Correctional Healthcare Professional (CCHP).
Certificate of Added Qualification (CAQ) in Psychiatry for Physician Assistants.
Board certification in Psychiatric Pharmacy (BCPP) for Pharmacist applicants (O-5).
Bilingual communication skills.
Prior experience in correctional health care settings.
Working knowledge of IHSC, NCCHC, and PBNDS policy standards.

Federal Benefits & Perks

✓Federal career advancement within the U.S. Public Health Service.
✓Competitive federal salary package.
✓Comprehensive health and wellness benefits.
✓Opportunities for professional development and clinical leadership.
✓Structured career paths for commissioned officers.

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

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

Ensure you meet the eligibility criteria for USPHS or CAD status.
Prepare your U.S. Public Health Service Promotion CV and supporting documentation.
Obtain copies of your professional licenses, certifications, and recent performance appraisals (COER).
Create or log into your account on the federal employment portal.
Complete the occupational questionnaire accurately.
Submit your full application packet before the closing date.

💡 General Tips

Ensure your resume specifically addresses the physical and clinical demands listed in the job announcement.
Double-check that all professional certifications and state licenses are current.
Submit all required documents, including the letter of interest and promotion CV, to ensure full consideration.
Be prepared to explain your clinical experience with non-compliant or high-acuity psychiatric populations.
Contact the HR representative at least one day before the deadline if you encounter technical issues.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is eligible to apply for this position?

This position is strictly limited to active-duty U.S. Public Health Service (USPHS) officers and candidates eligible for a Call to Active Duty (CAD).

What is the primary work environment?

The position is based in an ICE detention facility in Conroe, Texas, which requires the ability to provide care in a secure, correctional setting.

Is travel required?

Yes, there is a travel requirement of up to 20% annually to support ICE health service operations.

Job from Immigration And Customs Enforcement

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and ICE provide foundational safety for the nation. Within this framework, the IHSC operates as a multidisciplinary healthcare team, managing clinical services across numerous facilities. Working with us means becoming part of a 1,400-member workforce dedicated to evidence-based care in settings that range from local detention facilities to complex national operations.