Excel in Federal Healthcare: Behavioral Health Provider Opportunity in Florence, Arizona

Are you an active United States Public Health Service (USPHS) Commissioned Officer or Call to Active Duty (CAD) candidate seeking a impactful clinical assignment? The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and the ICE Health Service Corps (IHSC) are actively seeking qualified clinical professionals for the position of Behavioral Health Provider (O-3/O-4/O-5 Billet) in Florence, Arizona.

This non-supervisory role offers a rewarding clinical pathway for licensed Psychologists and Master’s-level Clinical Social Workers dedicated to delivering high-quality healthcare services in specialized federal facilities. Serving within IHSC allows officers to apply clinical expertise directly to underserved populations while supporting national security and public safety objectives.

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About the Agency: ICE Health Service Corps (IHSC)

As a crucial component within ICE's Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO), the ICE Health Service Corps (IHSC) serves as the primary operational authority for healthcare services provided to individuals in ICE custody. Operating across designated detention facilities nationwide, IHSC delivers direct clinical care to tens of thousands of detained non-citizens annually, including medical, dental, behavioral health, and public health oversight.

IHSC professionals work within multidisciplinary clinical teams comprised of USPHS Commissioned Officers, federal civil servants, and contract health personnel. Working at IHSC provides healthcare providers with a unique environment characterized by standardized clinical protocols, cross-disciplinary collaboration, and a profound public service mission.

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Key Duties and Job Responsibilities

The Behavioral Health Provider serves as a key mental health consultant and primary clinician at the Florence, Arizona facility. The incumbent delivers structured clinical care, comprehensive evaluations, and operational consultations.

Clinical Practice & Patient Evaluation

• Perform comprehensive behavioral health assessments, psychological evaluations, and diagnostic determinations for detained individuals.
• Provide evidence-based individual and group psychotherapy, supportive counseling, and psycho-educational interventions.
• Execute EMR documentation, review medical encounters, and monitor treatment response.
• Facilitate multidisciplinary collaboration with medical, psychiatric, and facility staff.

Healthcare Planning, Compliance & Case Management

• Manage specialized registries for patients diagnosed with Serious Mental Illness (SMI) using official documentation forms.
• Coordinate referrals for psychiatric hospitalization or higher level of care (HLOC) community facilities when clinically necessary.
• Collaborate with legal counsel and program officials on mental health evaluations and compliance metrics.
• Participate in facility quality improvement committees, peer review activities, and accreditation preparations.

Staff Training & Consultation

• Deliver facility-wide training to healthcare and security personnel on topics such as suicide risk management, hunger strike management, trauma, and crisis stabilization.
• Provide recommendations on housing and specialized placements for vulnerable populations.

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Qualification & Educational Requirements

Candidates must meet clear educational, licensing, and experience benchmarks based on their clinical discipline and targeted officer rank.

Educational Qualifications

• Psychologists: Successful completion of a Doctoral degree (Ph.D., Psy.D., or equivalent) in clinical or counseling psychology.
• Social Workers: Master’s degree in Social Work (MSW) from a graduate institution accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE).

Licensure & Certification

• Must possess and maintain an active, full, and unrestricted license to practice independently in any U.S. state, commonwealth, or territory.
• Current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification is mandatory every two years.

Experience & Billet Ranks

Applicants are evaluated for rank alignment based on documented post-licensure clinical experience:

• O-3 (Captain Equivalent): Minimum of 2 years post-licensure clinical experience.
• O-4 (Major Equivalent): Minimum of 3 years post-licensure clinical experience.
• O-5 (Lt. Commander Equivalent): Minimum of 4 years post-licensure clinical experience.

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Salary Overview & Billet Comparison

Compensation is determined by the USPHS Commissioned Corps pay tables, which factor in officer rank, years of service, and applicable military allowances (such as Basic Allowance for Housing [BAH] and Basic Allowance for Subsistence [BAS]). The nominal salary range listed for administrative tracking ranges up to $150,000 per year.

Rank Qualification and Experience Summary

Commissioned Rank	Qualifying Degree	Minimum Post-Licensure Experience	Primary Responsibilities & Expectations
O-3 Billet	Ph.D./Psy.D. in Psychology or MSW	2 Years	Direct patient evaluation, crisis stabilization, supportive psychotherapy, EMR documentation.
O-4 Billet	Ph.D./Psy.D. in Psychology or MSW	3 Years	Complex clinical case management, higher level of care coordination, quality assurance participation.
O-5 Billet	Ph.D./Psy.D. in Psychology or MSW	4 Years	Senior clinical consultation, policy workgroup representation, facility team leadership, staff training.

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Benefits & Commissioned Corps Advantages

Serving as an active-duty officer in the USPHS Commissioned Corps offers robust benefits tailored to professional healthcare officers:

• Competitive Pay Structure: Combined regular military pay with non-taxable housing and meal allowances.
• Healthcare Coverage: Comprehensive medical and dental coverage under TRICARE with zero deductible for active duty officers and dependents.
• Retirement System: Participation in the uniformed services retirement structure and Thrift Savings Plan (TSP).
• Paid Leave: 30 days of paid annual leave per year plus sick leave benefits and official holidays.
• Professional Growth: Continuous clinical education opportunities, administrative leadership roles, and federal security protections.

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Step-by-Step Application Guide

Submitting a complete application is critical for consideration. All components must be submitted online before the closing date on September 30, 2027.

1. Access the USAJOBS Announcement: Navigate to the official position posting and click 'Apply Online'.
2. Complete the Online Portal Requirements: Answer all operational questionnaires in the USA Staffing interface.
3. Assemble Mandatory Documentation:
   • Cover Letter / Letter of Interest (indicating preference for Florence, AZ).
   • Official academic transcripts and diploma records.
   • Valid professional state license copy.
   • Three professional references with full contact information.
   • Official USPHS Promotion CV (or civilian resume capturing work history).
   • Copy of Certificate of Investigation (eOPF) and three recent Commissioned Officer Effectiveness Reports (COERs) for current USPHS officers.
   • Board Decision Letter or AES dashboard confirmation for CAD applicants.
4. Verify Uploads: Ensure all files are uploaded under their respective portal categories.
5. Final Submission: Confirm submission before 11:59 PM EST on the closing date.

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Expert Application Tips

• Target Your Resume: Clearly delineate your post-licensure clinical years to align directly with O-3, O-4, or O-5 billet experience requirements.
• Double-Check Documentation: Incomplete applications or missing license documentation will lead to disqualification.
• Highlight Specializations: Mention specific experience in crisis management, suicide prevention, trauma therapies, or institutional healthcare settings.
• Submit Early: Do not wait until the final closing date to ensure all uploaded files process completely without technical delays.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Is this job open to civilian non-military applicants?

No. This announcement is exclusively open to currently serving USPHS Commissioned Officers and individuals actively undergoing the USPHS Call to Active Duty (CAD) process.

What physical demands does this assignment involve?

This assignment requires hazardous duty clearance. Officers must be physically capable of walking briskly or jogging up to a quarter-mile, standing or kneeling for CPR delivery, lifting up to 30 pounds, and working effectively in stressful operational environments.

Is relocation financial assistance available?

Yes, relocation expenses are authorized under official USPHS assignment guidelines.

What is the primary contact for hiring inquiries?

For specific application questions, you can contact the IHSC recruitment team via email at [email protected].

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The Behavioral Health Provider role with the ICE Health Service Corps in Florence, Arizona, represents an exceptional opportunity for USPHS Commissioned Officers and CAD candidates to apply advanced clinical mental health skills in a vital public service setting. By stepping into this non-supervisory position, healthcare professionals deliver clinical excellence, protect vulnerable individuals, and advance high-standard healthcare operations across our nation's immigration enforcement framework.