Physician Assistant - Des Moines - US Immigration and Customs Enforcement

Description

Summary

This position is located within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO), ICE Health Service Corps (IHSC), Office of the Deputy Assistant Director of Administration, Health Information and Technology Unit (HITU), Information Management Section (IMS), Health Application Services Office (HASO).

This is a non-supervisory role.

This position is only open to USPHS officers and Call to Active Duty (CAD) candidates.
This job is open to
The public
U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.
Clarification from the agency
Applicants must be a current USPHS Commissioned Corps Officer or USPHS Call to Active Duty (CAD) candidate. Civilians are not eligible for this position.
Duties

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Primary liaison for EHR improvements, working closely with Specialty Units (e.g., Medical, Nursing, Pharmacy, Dental, Behavioral Health) to align system functionalities with clinical workflows and patient safety protocols.

Manage the configuration of EHR tools, including templates, Smart Forms, Order Sets, Clinical Decision Support Systems (CDSS), and Provider Alerts, ensuring compliance with clinical and regulatory standards.

Drive future and continuous system improvements.

Lead User Acceptance Testing (UAT) for new EHR features and assist in the implementation of clinical and EHR-related training via IHSC's platform, ensuring all content reflects current clinical best practices.

Conduct continuous data validation and monitoring to support patient safety, improve clinical outcomes, and maintain data accuracy in EHR usage.

Support the development and implementation of training plans, the creation and updating of end-user guides, and assist in monitoring compliance through follow-up and remote evaluations.

Support the implementation of change management strategies related to health IT initiatives, including EHR system upgrades, by supporting staff through transitions in workflows, systems, and documentation processes.

Provide technical input for EHR enhancements and support the development of governance documents, such as the Performance Work Statement and Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan, for upcoming IHSC projects.

Oversee future EHR system releases, ensuring technical accuracy and system readiness.

Support the development of processes for reporting and prioritizing system issues by working closely with the IHSC team and vendors.

Assist the EHR Program team in assessing computing needs and system requirements, providing strategic recommendations for system enhancements.

Oversee acquisition, management, and training for medical devices integrated into the EHR, ensuring alignment with clinical care protocols and patient safety standards.

Actively engaged in all EHR related meetings.
Other duties and responsibilities as assigned.
Requirements
Conditions of employment
You must be a U.S. citizen to apply for this position.
You must successfully pass a background investigation.
You must successfully pass a drug screen.
Males born after 12/31/59 must certify registration with Selective Service.

Requirements by Closing Date:
Unless otherwise noted, you must meet all requirements by the closing date of the announcement.

Service Remaining Requirement Agreement:
Upon appointment to this position, officers will be required to serve an 18 to 24-month commitment to IHSC.


ASSIGNMENT PAY AGREEMENT:
You must not have a current Assignment Pay Agreement.

However, if you have a current Assignment Pay Agreement, it must be fulfilled within 90 days of your application submission.

Applicants must be a current USPHS Commissioned Corps Officer or USPHS Call to Active Duty (CAD) candidate. Civilians are not eligible for this position.

PHS officers must participate in IHSC TDY On-Call Schedule (ITOS.) ITOS is either an entire month or two 16-day periods a year where, depending on the needs of the agency, the officer is required to be available to serve.

Qualifications

COMPETENCIES:
Leadership Skills.
Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
Demonstrates strong organizational and time management skills.
Demonstrates exceptional problem solving, judgment and decision-making skills.
Excellent interpersonal skills and flexibility.
Cultural competencies related to detention health care and a diverse work environment.
Strong mature oral/written communication skills.
Integrity, honesty, and strong ethical compass.

Education

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

Advanced Practice Provider (APP) with Physician Assistant Degree, Nurse Practitioner Degree or related field with minimum of 4 years of successful practice that demonstrates high level administrative and leadership skills with a minimum of 4 years of health IT experience or Familiarity with EHR systems and healthcare workflows.

Proficiency in EHR configuration, including clinical workflows, CDSS, order sets, and integration of medical devices. Experience with clinical workflows in healthcare or correctional settings, supporting EHR functionalities to enhance patient safety and regulatory compliance.

Knowledge of medical, administrative, ethical and legal requirements and standards related to healthcare delivery and the privacy of protected patient information.

Knowledge of regulations and standards as it pertains to Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), American Correctional Association (ACA), National Commission on Correctional Health Care (NCCHC), Joint Commission, or other regulating agencies in the developing, storing and communication of medical information.

Strong data management skills, including analysis, quality improvement, and validation within EHR systems to ensure efficient and safe clinical workflows.

Proven ability to create clear, accurate, high-stakes communications, such as congressional reports and responses, effectively conveying complex information.
For licensed incumbents, ongoing compliance with licensure requirements is essential. Clinical duties within the scope of licensure may be required during critical agency needs.


PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
Health Informatics or related certification preferred, demonstrating advanced skills in merging clinical knowledge with health IT capabilities.
Flexibility and ability to adapt to sudden changes in schedules and work-related requirements.
High degree of initiative, and follow-through on a wide range of sensitive, complex, and programmatic issues.
Competent working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite applications, Word, Excel, SharePoint, Outlook, PowerPoint, Teams, OneDrive, OneNote.

Additional information

The incumbent will oversee, and support initiatives associated with the IHSC Electronic Health Record (EHR), network upgrades, interoperability opportunities, operational effectiveness through proactive management and technical expertise, and project management for ongoing IT modernization efforts.

This role is essential in advancing high-quality, secure healthcare technology solutions for IHSC's nationwide operations.

IHSC has a multi-sector, multidisciplinary workforce of more than 1600 employees including, U.S. Public Health Service (PHS) commissioned officers, federal civil servants, and contract staff.

The IHSC provides on-site direct patient care to ICE aliens at 18 detention facilities throughout the country and manages the provision of off-site medical care for aliens housed in approximately 128 additional non-IHSC facilities.

The ICE alien population is approximately 28,000 aliens daily, with an average length of stay of approximately 30 days, and over 270,000 aliens annually.

The IHSC also provides medical support during ICE enforcement operations in the air, on the ground and at sea.


SUPERVISORY CONTROLS:

The incumbent reports directly to the Supervisory Lead, Health Application Services Office within the Information Management Section of the Health Information and Technology Unit.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

Benefits
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package.

As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding.

Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Review our benefits

Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent.

Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
How you will be evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
We will review your resume and supporting documentation to ensure you meet the minimum qualification requirements. You may be selected for an interview at the hiring authority's discretion. You will be notified of selection or non-selection.
Required Documents
To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package.

Please note that if you do not provide all required information, as specified in this announcement, you may not be considered for this position.

A complete application includes:
U. S. Public Health Service Officers

Cover Letter/Letter of Interest.
Degrees. (Place under "Diploma/GED")
Professional license. (If applicable)
Additional professional certificates. (If applicable)
Three professional references. (i.e., name, title and contact information)
Official USPHS Promotion CV - e.g., relevant experience, education, training. (Place under "USPHS Promotion CV")
You may provide a civilian resume in addition to the USPHS Promotion CV to capture all relevant work experience.
A copy of your Certificate of Investigation (located in your eOPF).
Three most recent Commissioned Officer Effectiveness Reports (COER). (Place under "Performance Appraisal")
For IHSC USPHS officers only, a copy of your current Service Remaining Requirements Agreement.
Indicate if you have an Assignment Pay (AP) Agreement and the date of the end of your AP Agreement.

If you do not, please submit a memo attesting to no AP in the Assignment Pay (AP) Agreement section in the documents section of application.

New Call to Active Duty
Cover letter/Letter of Interest. Please include location preference here.
Degrees. (Place under "Diploma/GED")
Professional license. (If applicable)
Additional professional certificates. (If applicable)
Three professional references (i.e., name, title, and contact information)
CV - e.g., relevant experience, education, training. (Place under "Resume")
U.S. Public Health Service - Appointment Board Decision Letter/Email or a screenshot of AES dashboard to the United States Public Health Service

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.

How to Apply
To apply for this position, you must submit the required documentation outlined under the REQUIRED DOCUMENTS section below.

The complete initial Application must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on 09/30/2026.


PLEASE NOTE:

If your materials are not received by the closing date, your application will be evaluated solely on the information available and you may not receive full consideration or may not be considered eligible.

Also, if you do not provide a valid email address, you may not be notified of the outcome of your application.

To begin the process, click the Apply Online button to create an account or log into your existing USAJOBS account.

Follow the prompts to complete the occupational questionnaire. Please ensure you click the Submit My Answers button at the end of the process.

Note:

To check the status of your application or return to a previous or incomplete application, log into your USAJOBS account, select Application Status, and click on the more information link under the application status for this position.

Applications and supporting documentation will not be accepted by mail or email.

If you need further assistance, contact the Human Resources Office representative listed on this announcement at least one day prior to the closing date for further instructions.

Agency contact information
IHSC Recruiting
Email

Address
ERO-DRO-IHSC Public Health Service
500 12th Street SW
Washington, DC 20536
US
Next steps

Once you submit your application, we will assess your experience and training, identify the best-qualified applicants, and refer those applications to the hiring manager for further consideration and interviews.

We will notify you by email after each of these steps has been completed. Your status will also be updated on USAJOBS throughout the process.

To check your status, log on to your USAJOBS account, click on "Application Status," and then click "More Information." We expect to make a job offer within 60 days after the deadline for applications.

If you are selected, we will conduct a suitability/security background investigation. View more information on applying for federal employment.
Overview
Accepting applications
Open & closing dates
10/04/2025 to 09/30/2026
Salary
$1 to - $150,000 per year
Please note that the salary is dependent on the officer's rank, years in service, and location of duty station.
Pay scale & grade
CC 5
Location

1 vacancy in the following location:
District of Columbia, DC
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
No
Travel Required
Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel for this position.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
Yes?You may qualify for reimbursement of relocation expenses in accordance with agency policy.
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Excepted
Promotion potential
None
Job family (Series)
0603 Physician Assistant
0610 Nurse
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Other
Drug test
Yes
Position sensitivity and risk
Critical-Sensitive (CS)/High Risk
Trust determination process
Credentialing
Suitability/Fitness
Financial disclosure
No
Bargaining unit status
No
Announcement number
IHSC-HASPO-APP-O5-NS-2026
Control number