Psychiatrist

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.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

The IHSC mission is comprehensive and the unique detention environment requires a broad clinical background. The core scope of practice includes but is not limited to: evaluation, formulation of diagnoses, and treatment of psychiatric and mental health care needs, including family units; urgent and emergency mental health care, public health management, case management, collaboration with an interdisciplinary team, and gender specific care, including transgender care and management of mental health care during pregnancy. All health care provided to ICE detainees is governed by IHSC policy and established detention standards.

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. Doctor of Medicine or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine from a school in the United States or;
2. Doctor of Medicine or equivalent degree from a foreign medical school that provided education and medical knowledge substantially equivalent to accredited schools in the United States as established by:
3. The National Committee on Foreign Medical Education and Accreditation (NCFMEA) and
4. Permanent certification by the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG).
5. Completion of four years of medical specialty training leading to board eligibility in psychiatry.
6. Minimum of one-year experience as a licensed practicing psychiatrist.
7. Experience in a detention/correctional or residential healthcare setting (preferred, not required).

REQURED LICENSURE / CERTIFICATION

1. Permanent, full, and unrestricted license to practice medicine independently in the state in which the duty station is located. The license must be maintained in a permanent, full, and unrestricted status during the term of employment. Any changes to license must be reported to employer immediately.
2. Board Certification eligible by The American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, Inc. (ABPN).
3. This position requires privileging by IHSC.
4. Maintains BLS for Healthcare Providers® certification through the American Heart Association®.

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

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

1. Knowledge of the indications and contraindications, complications and techniques in the various psychiatric treatment and diagnostic modalities.
2. Ability and proficiency to properly use equipment, materials and supplies in simple diagnostic and treatment procedures.
3. Teaching experience acknowledging a level of expertise and capacity for developing and accessing clinical educational programs.
4. Ability to work in a multi-cultural and multi-lingual environment.
5. Ability to utilize telephonic interpreter/translation services to complete assigned duties if not fluent in a language the patient understands.
6. Ability to adapt to sudden changes in schedules and flexibility in work requirements.
7. Ability to communicate proficiently in English (verbal and written) in order to develop positive rapport with patients, co-workers and other stakeholders.
8. Verbal and written proficiency in Spanish (preferred, not required).
9. Ability to establish and maintain positive working relationships in a multidisciplinary environment.
10. Ability to navigate in an electronic work environment including use of telehealth equipment, electronic health records, web-based training and communications.
11. Knowledge of, and moderate proficiency in, common Microsoft Office programs, specifically Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook and SharePoint.
12. Knowledge of regulations (HIPAA/Privacy Act) regarding the confidentiality of patient medical records and information as well as Personally Identifiable Information (PII).

MAJOR DUTIES AND 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. Provides telepsychiatry services for patients at other IHSC facilities as needed and as the local facility allows, only in the states the provider is licensed, to include:

• Working with the patient’s local primary care provider (PCP) to coordinate care for any identified medical concerns (patient’s local administrative staff will coordinate the appointment).
• Using IHSC video teleconferencing equipment and electronic medical records (EMR) software to examine and record the patient’s plan of care.
• Telepsychiatry services will be provided in accordance with the IHSC Tele-Mental Health Services policy.
• OPTIONAL: Provider may choose to obtain additional state licensing, outside of the state of his/her duty station, to provide out-of-state telepsychiatry services.

4. May be expected to respond to and or coordinate response to medical emergencies.
5. Prescribes and monitors psychiatric medication treatment services including monitoring the side effects of medication and/or adverse reactions.
6. Offers comprehensive psycho-educational information with each medication/somatic treatment regarding the patient’s mental illness, emotional disturbance or behavior disorder, treatment goals, potential benefits and the risk of treatment, self-monitoring aids, and identifies support groups for therapeutic assistance.
7. Utilizes the evidence-based algorithms for decision-making regarding patient assessment and medication management.
8. Utilizes evidence-based tools (i.e. Assessment of Involuntary Movement Scale) in the identification of risks associated with medication induced movement disorders.
9. Adheres to medical standards in accordance with IHSC policies, American Psychiatric Association standards, and legal requirements.
10. Determines the need for core treatment and specialty services for identified patients in a full range of psychiatric problems.
11. Performs various diagnostic and treatment procedures, including cognitive and behavioral psychotherapy, supportive individual and group psychotherapy, somatic therapies (including the use of traditional and atypical drugs).
12. Provides professional, recovery based psychiatric care considerate of cultural and ethnic diversity and focuses on empowering individuals to change their own lives.
13. Assures patients are treated with dignity and are consulted when evaluating and/or revising treatment and services.
14. Utilizes evidence-based practices to promote recovery, reduces stigma and unconditionally enhance the quality of life.
15. Assures a positive therapeutic milieu exists during treatment and emphasizes recovery goals.
16. Participates in comprehensive performance improvement and utilization management plans to include:

• Quality and appropriateness of services,
• Evaluation of patient-based functions,
• Decreasing the escalation of healthcare costs, and
• Improvement in patient outcomes.

17. Prepares or oversees the preparation of documentation, testimony, and written orders needed for care, treatment, medical records, legal actions, referrals, performance development, credentials/privileges, and administrative requirements.
18. Provides subject matter expertise to staff in all matters pertaining to mental health treatment (modalities and medications), and mental health programs both domestic and international.
19. Analyzes public health care trends, in the mental health area, of related special population groups and assists in developing and implementing policies and guidelines to improve mental health services of such groups.
20. Assumes responsibility for the non-psychiatric medical evaluation, diagnosis and treatment of patients for whom she or he is responsible in the absence of non-psychiatric physicians in emergency situations and within incumbent’s competency and scope of practice.
21. Spends at least 60% of time in direct patient care to meet the performance targets set by the IHSC.
22. Provides specialized medical services to “outpatients” and provides medical care to inpatients in facilities with a short stay unit. Specific duties involve all aspects of health care delivery. The incumbent will work in concert with both facility staff and consultant specialists in various clinical areas.
23. Acts as a mental health consultant to medial staff, providing oversight and direction related to the provision of mental health care.
24. Examines and orders appropriate diagnostic testing and provides necessary treatment and/or medications as required. Refers selected cases to consultant specialists when necessary. Refers residents requiring hospitalization to a community hospital and to an appropriate admitting physician.
25. Ensures that proper evaluations and treatments are carried out and documented. Incumbent shall constantly monitor and evaluate the quality of patient care, providing data to the departmental Performance Improvement program, and other agencies or committees as required.
26. May be required to see patients who are not in the category of his/her expertise but within his or her scope of practice.
27. Assures proper maintenance of medical records, preparation of reports, etc., as related to the area of responsibility. Makes recommendations on matters of policy, procedures, training, personnel, and equipment as related to specific area of responsibility.
28. Performs record keeping functions in accordance with program policies and position.
29. Maintains functional proficiency and ease of use utilizing electronic health records as required by, and appropriate to, position.
30. Completes and passes all discipline specific competencies testing, initially and annually.
31. Completes all initial, annual and ad hoc training as required/assigned.
32. Maintains patient confidentiality, and confidentiality of medical records, in compliance with the Privacy Act and HIPAA regulations in all work activities.
33. Adheres to, and maintains awareness of, IHSC Policies, Procedures, Directives, Operational Memoranda and accreditation standards as prescribed by ICE/IHSC.
34. Adheres to, and participates in, IHSC’s Safety, Prevention, Infection Control, Quality Improvement, Patient Education and other programs and collateral duties as appropriate.
35. Attends and participates in general/medical staff meetings.

DUTY HOURS / ON-CALL REQUIREMENTS

1. This full time position is required to provide rotational on-call coverage and may need to return to the facility to provide care during the coverage period.
2. IHSC operates 24/7/365; this position is required to respond during an emergency activation.

CONTRACT POSITION DESCRIPTION

March 2021

SECURITY REQUIREMENTS

1. The Department of Homeland Security’s Personnel Security Unit (PSU) must render an Initial 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 between, subsequent background investigations to meet the requirements of this position.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

1. The work requires some physical exertion, such as long periods of standing; walking or jogging unaided over rough, uneven, or rocky surfaces; recurring bending, crouching, stooping, stretching, reaching, or similar activities; or recurring lifting of moderately heavy patients or equipment.
2. The work may require specific, but common, physical characteristics and abilities, such as agility and dexterity, visual, and hearing capabilities.
3. Must be able to respond to any medical emergency in the facility, via foot, within four minutes and 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.