Field Medical Coordinator (O-5 Billet) Non-Supervisory (New Orleans AOR)

This role is for current U.S. Public Health Service (USPHS) Commissioned Corps officers only. USPHS Call to Active Duty (CAD) candidates are not eligible.

About the role

The Field Medical Coordinator is responsible for coordinating medical, mental health, dental, and durable medical equipment (DME) services for individuals in the custody of ICE at non-IHSC contract facilities. The role involves case coordination and monitoring of high-risk and medically complex cases, ensuring compliance with ICE medical standards, and providing medical expertise to field offices and facility staff.

Responsibilities

• Provides medical consultation services to the Field Office Director (FOD) and field office staff regarding the healthcare of detained non-citizens at non-IHSC facilities.
• Serves as the medical subject matter expert and liaison for the FOD, contract facility medical staff, and IHSC headquarters.
• Recommends and assists with determining and coordinating alternative placement options for detained non-citizens with complex medical and mental health needs.
• Conducts routine and ad hoc site visits at ICE/ERO designated facilities, reporting findings related to ICE National Detention Standards (NDS) and Performance-Based NDS (PBNDS).
• Evaluates ongoing non-IHSC facility medical compliance with ICE NDS and PBNDS through tracking and trending facility performance and site visit findings.
• Initiates, monitors, and evaluates Success Action Plans (SAP) for areas of noncompliance with ICE NDS and PBNDS standards.
• Conducts independent medical reviews, investigates complaints, and performs formal medical record reviews as requested by IHSC or the FOD.
• Provides case monitoring and reporting for the assigned area of responsibility (AOR).
• Ensures appropriate safe release plans for continuity of care are established prior to the release or removal of detained non-citizens with complex healthcare needs.
• Provides orientation, training, and guidance to custody and medical staff in non-IHSC facilities regarding medical standards and IHSC policies.
• Notifies and updates IHSC and ICE/ERO via the Unified Patient Tracking System (UPTS) on reportable incidents, including emergency department referrals, hospital admissions, psychiatric emergencies, deaths, and other critical events.
• Reviews and assists in adjudicating specialty appointment requests for outside medical, mental health, dental, and DME services.
• Provides guidance and recommendations to ICE regarding appropriate placement of detained non-citizens with special or complex medical and mental health needs.
• Assists contract medical facilities with the provider recruitment approval process for detained non-citizens.
• Liaises with the FOD, medical staff, and IHSC headquarters on Serious Mental Illnesses (SMI) and coordinates with the Behavioral Health Unit (BHU) for monitoring and safe release planning.
• Provides case monitoring and reporting on all Serious Detainee Illnesses (SDI) and tracks infectious disease cases.
• Notifies and updates IHSC and ICE on AOR reportable incidents via designated reporting systems.
• Devises and submits formal reports and responds to non-routine requests from leadership or the IHSC Taskings and Program Support Unit.
• Accesses interpretation and translation services to ensure effective communication with detained non-citizens or others not proficient in English.
• Liaises with non-IHSC facility pharmacies to acquire medications, including travel packs, transfer medications, vaccines, and specialty medications.
• Provides cross-coverage and support for other AORs, Field Medical Coordinators, and Regional Program Managers as needed.
• Available 24/7 to address urgent or emergent healthcare issues for detained non-citizens and provide updates on hospitalized individuals.
• Travels as needed (approximately 25%) to provide clinical care support at IHSC-staffed facilities or other designated missions.
• Assumes additional duties as assigned by the supervisory chain of command.

Requirements

• Must be a U.S. citizen.
• Must successfully pass a background investigation and drug screen.
• Males born after 12/31/59 must certify registration with Selective Service.
• Must meet all requirements by the closing date of the announcement unless otherwise noted.
• Upon appointment, officers must serve an 18 to 24-month commitment to IHSC.
• Must not have a current Assignment Pay Agreement, or it must be fulfilled within 90 days of application submission.
• Must be a current USPHS Commissioned Corps Officer; civilians and USPHS Call to Active Duty (CAD) candidates are not eligible.
• Must participate in the IHSC TDY On-Call Schedule (ITOS), which requires availability for an entire month or two 16-day periods per year.
• Upon selection, the candidate must live within 50 miles of an IHSC Field Office.

Qualifications

• Advanced Practice Provider (Nurse Practitioner/Physician Assistant) or Registered Nurse with at least 2 years of clinical experience, preferably in a correctional or detention setting.
• Current or obtained proficiency in ICE medical standards.
• Maintains a current and documented professional license and CPR/BLS certification.
• Case management and utilization review experience preferred.
• Strong leadership, interpersonal, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Integrity, honesty, and cultural competency.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with computer literacy in MS Office applications.
• Flexibility and adaptability to sudden changes in schedules and work requirements.
• Strong organizational and time management skills.

Physical Demands

• Ability to walk unaided at a normal pace for up to 5 minutes and maintain balance.
• Ability to jog or fast walk up to ¼ mile.
• Ability to perform CPR/emergency care while standing or kneeling.
• Ability to respond to medical emergencies.
• Sitting and/or standing for extended periods (6-8 hours).
• Performing repeated bending motions.
• Average manual dexterity for computer operation and phone use for extended periods.

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 designed to make your federal career rewarding. Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time, or intermittent.