Embark on a High-Stakes Career: Flight Advanced Practice Provider with IHSC
Are you a healthcare provider with a passion for mission-critical service? The Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Health Service Corps (IHSC) is hiring for the position of Flight Advanced Practice Provider (O-5 Billet). This is not your typical clinical role. It offers the unique opportunity to integrate advanced medical practice with federal law enforcement and aviation operations, ensuring the safety and health of individuals under unique, often high-pressure, conditions.
Comparison: Traditional Practice vs. Flight APP
| Feature | Traditional Clinic APP | ISOU Flight APP |
|---|---|---|
| Environment | Static Clinical Facility | Aircraft, Ships, Ground Vehicles |
| Patient Load | Scheduled/Routine | Emergency/Acute |
| Travel | None/Limited | Frequent (50%+) |
| Autonomy | High | Extremely High (Sole Provider) |
Job Responsibilities
As an ISOU Flight APP, your duties are broad and varied. You will:
- Provide direct medical care in remote, austere, or moving environments (aircraft, ships, ground transport).
- Serve as a first responder for in-flight medical emergencies.
- Manage medical programs, including policy development and quality assurance.
- Collaborate with U.S. Coast Guard, DHS, and international diplomatic officials.
- Maintain constant readiness for deployment within 24 to 48 hours.
Requirements
To succeed in this role, you must be a Commissioned Officer of the USPHS. You need a Master’s degree (for NPs) or an ARC-PA accredited degree (for PAs), coupled with three years of clinical experience. Physical fitness is a must, as the role involves lifting equipment, swimming, and enduring the stresses of altitude and maritime travel.
Salary Overview
This position offers a competitive salary structure ranging up to $150,000 per year, reflecting the specialized, high-consequence nature of the work and the advanced qualifications required.
Benefits
- Professional growth through specialized training (FAA, DHS, FEMA).
- Full USPHS Commissioned Corps benefits package.
- Direct impact on humanitarian and national security missions.
Application Tips
Ensure your CV is formatted for USPHS review and clearly highlights any experience in trauma, emergency medicine, or transport. Be sure to submit all requested COERs and credentials promptly. The selection process is rigorous and relies on a thorough assessment of your clinical and operational qualifications.
Serving as an ISOU Flight APP is a rare opportunity to test the limits of your medical training while serving the country. If you possess the clinical skill, physical readiness, and dedication required for this unique role, we encourage you to apply.
Why This Isou Flight Advanced Practice Provider (O-5 Billet) Non-Supervisory Job Matters
Take your clinical career to new heights as an ISOU Flight Advanced Practice Provider, providing life-saving care in the most challenging domestic and international environments.
Isou Flight Advanced Practice Provider (O-5 Billet) Non-Supervisory Job Overview
The ICE Health Service Corps (IHSC) is seeking highly skilled Physician Assistants or Family Nurse Practitioners to serve as Flight Advanced Practice Providers (APP). This unique O-5 billet role is critical to the ICE Special Operations Unit (ISOU), requiring professionals to deliver emergency medical care in air, ground, and maritime environments. You will function as a medical aircrew member, ensuring the health and safety of individuals in custody during complex removal missions. This position is exclusively available to U.S. Public Health Service (USPHS) commissioned officers and those undergoing a Call to Active Duty (CAD).
Requirements for Isou Flight Advanced Practice Provider (O-5 Billet) Non-Supervisory
- Must be an active U.S. Public Health Service (USPHS) commissioned officer or Call to Active Duty (CAD) candidate.
- Master of Science in Nursing (for NP) from an accredited program OR Physician Assistant degree from an ARC-PA accredited program.
- Minimum of three years of clinical experience in a family practice or relevant setting.
- Current, unrestricted Advanced Practice Registered Nurse license or Physician Assistant certification.
- Must hold current CPR/Basic Life Support certification.
- Ability to obtain and maintain a DHS Secret clearance and a U.S. Government Official Passport.
- Ability to pass an FAA Class III Flight Physical.
- Must possess basic swimming skills (tread water for 5 minutes, swim one pool length).
Preferred Qualifications for Isou Flight Advanced Practice Provider (O-5 Billet) Non-Supervisory
- Prior experience with the IHSC health system or correctional healthcare settings.
- Certification as a Correctional Health Care Professional (CCHP).
- Experience in flight nursing, aerospace medicine, or patient transport.
- Proficiency in Spanish or a second language.
- Advanced certifications such as ACLS, PALS, PHTLS, TNCC, or AMLS.
- Knowledge of public health preparedness and tuberculosis management.
Federal Benefits & Perks
- ✓Competitive federal salary structure
- ✓Professional development through FAA, DHS, and FEMA training
- ✓Opportunity to serve in high-impact, national-level operations
- ✓Comprehensive health and retirement benefits provided by the USPHS Commissioned Corps
- ✓Relocation assistance where applicable
💡 How to Apply Isou Flight Advanced Practice Provider (O-5 Billet) Non-Supervisory Job & Insider Tips
Application Steps for Isou Flight Advanced Practice Provider (O-5 Billet) Non-Supervisory Job
- Create or log into your USAJOBS account.
- Complete the online occupational questionnaire.
- Prepare your documents: USPHS Promotion CV, cover letter, degrees, license, and three recent COERs.
- Submit your application package by the closing date.
- Monitor your status through the USAJOBS dashboard.
💡 General Tips
- Ensure your USPHS Promotion CV highlights specific experience relevant to flight medicine or austere environments.
- Double-check that all required documents, especially your COERs and official certificates, are uploaded to the correct categories.
- Contact the HR representative at least 24 hours before the deadline if you encounter technical issues.
- Tailor your cover letter to explicitly address your readiness for deployment and operational flexibility.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is eligible to apply for this position?
This position is strictly limited to U.S. Public Health Service (USPHS) Commissioned Corps officers and approved Call to Active Duty (CAD) candidates.
What is the travel requirement for this role?
Incumbents must be prepared to travel up to 50% of the time, often on short notice for both domestic and international missions.
Is this a supervisory position?
No, this is a non-supervisory, O-5 billet position reporting to the Section Chief of ISOU.
Job from Immigration And Customs Enforcement
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and ICE operate at the intersection of national security and public service. The IHSC is the medical authority within ICE, dedicated to providing high-quality care to individuals in custody. As part of the Special Operations Unit (ISOU), you will stand at the forefront of medical operations, supporting interagency efforts that span the globe.