Physician Assistant

PPDG may have future opportunities for Healthcare and Healthcare Support positions in support of ICE Health Service Corps at the Immigration and Customs Enforcement Medical Facility.

INTRODUCTION:
The ICE Health Services Corps (IHSC) exists within the organizational structure of the United
States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Enforcement and Removal Operations
(ERO) under the supervision of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The United States
Public Health Service (USPHS) Commissioned Corps Officers, civil service staff and contractors comprise the healthcare professionals working together to provide quality healthcare services. IHSC serves as the medical experts for ICE for detainee health care.

MISSION:
IHSC’s mission is to provide medical care to maintain the health of individuals in the custody of
ICE through an integrated health care delivery system, based on nationally recognized
correctional, detention and residential health care standards. The Agency is committed to
providing healthcare services to protect the nation’s health, reduce global disease and provide
medical support for the law enforcement mission of the safe apprehension, enforcement and
removal of detained individuals involved in immigration proceedings. IHSC is committed to
ensuring a system of care that is ethical, responsible, and accountable through rigorous
surveillance and monitoring activities.

MAJOR DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Provides direct care to patients within discipline Scope of Practice and performs functions in
   accordance with current accepted practice, licensure, certification, credentialing and or granted
   privileges.
   2. Provides treatment of persons throughout the life span as appropriate to discipline and
   facility setting.
   3. May be expected to respond to and or coordinate response to medical emergencies.
   4. May be required to see patients outside of his/her expertise but within his/her scope of
   practice.
   5. Completes age-appropriate history and physical assessment for routine, acute, chronic and
   complex medical conditions.
   6. Performs physical assessments on patients, to include but not limited to gynecologic, EKGs,
   and/or neurological exams.
   7. Assess, treat and evaluate patients who represent with medical complaints during sick call,
   walk-ins and/or chronic care clinics.
   8. Provides emergency and First Aid treatment to include but not limited to suturing, when
   required.
   9. Performs minor surgical procedures as needed.
   10. Prescribes appropriate pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic treatment modalities.
   11. On a weekly or as needed basis, reviews/re-evaluates cases requiring ongoing
   medical/pharmaceutical intervention.
   12. Complete orders recommended/authorized by the physician.
   13. Plant and reads tuberculin skin test (purified protein derivative – PPD) and provides Direct
   Observation Therapy (DOT) of INH/B6 to those residents requiring it.
   14. Provides relevant patient health education to residents verbally and/or with handouts.
   15. Documents and update medical/psychiatric Problem List in the resident’s medical record and
   initiates a treatment plan.
   16. Collaborate with the multidisciplinary team members regarding the health care needs of the
   residents and coordinate referrals to off-site providers as required.
   17. Maintains safety when ordering/dispensing medications and is continually cognizant of the
   potential hazard of drug hoarding and trafficking among residents.
   18. Properly disposes of all sharps to include but not limited to needles and syringes according to
   hazardous waste, infection control and safety guidance.
   19. Assists in the disposal of biologically hazardous wastes on a regular basis as needed.
   20. Collect blood, urine, sputum, culture specimens, etc. and performs laboratory analysis for
   early detection of communicable and/or other contagious diseases.
   21. Orders and interprets diagnostic and therapeutic tests relative to the resident’s age-specific
   needs.
   22. Initiate direct and indirect action to isolate and quarantine cases and provide health, safety
   and treatment/management for all employees and patients at the facility when
   contagious/communicable illnesses have been identified.
   23. If a Short Stay Medical Health Unit is onsite, incumbent may do daily rounds on patients and
   notify the Clinical Director, Staff Physician, or Clinical Services Manager of any abnormal
   findings.
   24. May assist with providing radiological services according to the scope of practice in the state
   licensed. These services will be primarily to conduct tuberculosis surveillance i.e. digital single
   view chest x-rays.
   25. Consult with Clinical Services Manage, Clinical Director or staff physician for management
   of complex medical conditions.
   26. Performs record keeping functions in accordance with program policies and position.
   27. Maintains functional proficiency and ease of use utilizing electronic health records as
   required by, and appropriate to, position.
   28. Completes and passes all discipline specific competencies testing, initially and annually.
   29. Completes all initial, annual and ad hoc training as required/assigned.
   30. Maintains patient confidentiality, and confidentiality of medical records, in compliance with
   the Privacy Act and HIPAA regulations in all work activities.
   31. Adheres to, and maintains awareness of, IHSC Policies, Procedures, Directives, Operational
   Memoranda and accreditation standards as prescribed by ICE/IHSC.
   32. Adheres to, and participates in, IHSC’s Safety, Prevention, Infection and Control, Quality
   Improvement, Patient Education and other programs and collateral duties as appropriate to
   position.
   33. Attends and participates in general/medical staff meetings.
   34. Other duties as assigned.

DUTY HOURS/ON-CALL REQUIREMENTS:
IHSC operates 365/24/7 you may be required to respond telephonically during emergency call
back roster activation.
1. This full-time position is required to provide rotational on-call coverage and may need to
return to the facility during non-core hours to provide care.
2. This full-time position requires availability to work day and evening shifts. Availability
during weekends and holidays is also required.

SECURITY REQUIREMENTS:
1. The Department of Homeland Security’s Personnel Security Unit (PSU) must render a
Preliminary Favorable Fitness Determination to be considered a qualified candidate.
2. A Complete Favorable Fitness Determination must be rendered by PSU upon completion of
initial and subsequent background investigations to meet the requirements of this position.

ATTRIBUTES AND PROFESSIONAL QUALITIES:
1. Strong oral and written communication skills.
2. Excellent interpersonal skills.
3. Critical thinking skills
4. Cultural competency.
5. Integrity and honesty.
6. Verbal and written proficiency in Spanish (preferred, not required).
7. Experience in a detention/correctional or residential healthcare setting (preferred, not
required).

REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:
Degree issuing institution and or program must be accredited by an entity recognized by the U.S. Department of Education
1. Graduate from an accredited Physician Assistant program located in a State, the District of
Columbia, or a U.S. territory. Must be accredited by the Accreditation Review Commission on
Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA) or one of its predecessors.
2. Must have a minimum of six months of clinical provider experience in direct patient care as a
licensed Physician Assistant, or the approval of IHSC’s Medical Director based on the receiving
sites ability to mentor and teach the newly licensed provider.

REQUIRED LICENSURE/CERTIFICATION:
1. Must have an unrestricted, current Physician Assistant license in the state in which the duty
station is located. Any changes to license must be reported to employer immediately.
2. Board Certification as a Physician Assistant by the American Board of Medical Specialties
(ABMS) or National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA).
• Candidates not board certified at the time of hiring must be presented to the IHSC Medical
Director for concurrence.
• Physician Assistants not completing board certification within 18 months of hire will not be
considered qualified.
3. This position does not require privileging by IHSC.
4. Maintains BLS for Healthcare Providers® certification through the American Heart
Association.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:
1. Knowledge of and ability to apply professional principles, procedures, and techniques for
Physician Assistants to patient care.
2. Applies knowledge of drugs and therapeutics when prescribing and dispensing medication.
3. Practical knowledge of laboratory procedures and guideline; skill in collecting a variety of
samples.
4. Ability to properly use equipment, materials and supplies in simple diagnostic and treatment
procedures.
5. Teaching experience acknowledging a level of expertise and capacity for developing and
accessing clinical educational programs.
6. Ability to work in a multi-cultural and multi-lingual environment.
7. Ability to utilize telephonic interpreter/translation services to complete assigned duties if not
fluent in a language the patient understands.
8. Ability to adapt to sudden changes in schedules and flexibility in work requirements.
9. Ability to communicate proficiently in English (verbal and written) in order to develop
positive rapport with patients, co-workers and other stakeholders.
10. Ability to establish and maintain positive working relationships in a multidisciplinary
environment.
11. Ability to navigate in an electronic work environment including electronic health records,
web-based training and communications.
12. Knowledge of, and moderate proficiency in, common Microsoft Office programs,
specifically Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook and SharePoint.
13. Knowledge of regulations (HIPAA/Privacy Act) regarding the confidentiality of patient
medical records and information as well as Personally Identifiable Information (PII).

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

1. Required to walk unaided at a normal pace for up to 10 minutes and maintain balance.
   2. Required to respond to any medical emergency within 4 minutes, where a fast walk or jog
   may be necessary to provide assistance.
   3. Required to perform CPR/emergency care standing or kneeling.
   4. Must have the ability to assist sick, injured or aging detainees or staff exiting the building
   during an emergency (may require lifting, dragging, wheeling or carrying someone who weighs
   significantly more than self).
   5. Must be able to see, hear and smell with or without the use of aides if necessary
   (exceptions on a case-by-case basis).
   6. Must easily alternate between kneeling and standing.
   7. Must be able to lift, push, or carry 30 pounds.
   8. Must perform the duties in a stressful and often austere environment without physical
   limitations.
   9. Must be capable of standing on hard services (cement floors) for long periods of time.

SUPERVISORY CONTROLS:
This is a contract position and supervisory controls will be set forth by the contract vendor.
Technical oversight will be provided by the Government Technical Monitor (GTM).