Senior Clinical Nurse Specialist, Medical Asset Support Team (O-5 Billet) Non-Supervisory Job in Anywhere in the U.S. (remote job)

Vacancy No. IHSC-MAST-SCNS-O5-NS-2024 Department Immigration and Customs Enforcement
Salary $1.00 to $150,000.00 Grade 5 to 5
Perm/Temp Permanent FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 1/12/2024 Close Date 9/30/2025
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Public
Locations:
Anywhere in the U.S. (remote job)


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 Deputy Assistant Director of Clinical Services (DAD-CSU). This is a non-supervisory position.

This position is only open to current USPHS officers.
USPHS Call to Active Duty (CAD) candidates are not eligible for this position.

This job is open to

Clarification from the agency

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

Duties

PROFESSIONAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

  1. Understanding theories, concepts, principles, and their relationships underlying the practices of professional nursing to improve the efficiency and quality of work performed or to protect the quality of life or healthcare services.
  2. Applying a range and depth of knowledge acquired specifically through an intensive learning regimen of the phenomena, theories, and concepts of a scientific body of nursing knowledge.
  3. Creating, exploring, evaluating, designing, and sharing solutions and the validity of their predicted performance to resolve problems, conditions, and issues.
  4. Identifying, analyzing, advising, consulting, and reporting on nursing, theoretical, and factual data, conditions, and problems.
  5. Staying abreast of, and evaluating nursing subjects, analyses, and proposals in professional literature.
  6. Assessing, resolving, and predicting the relationships and interactions of data and findings under varying conditions.
  7. Reasoning from existing knowledge and assumptions in the nursing field to unexplored areas and phenomena.
  8. Nurses collaborate with physicians and other healthcare professionals to develop the nursing care patient plan and determine how best to serve the nursing needs of particular patients or groups of patients.
  9. Nurses evaluate execution of nursing-care plans to determine whether they are effectively meeting their goals. Based on those evaluations, they may recommend to nursing leadership any changes they believe necessary to advocate for the health and wellbeing of patients.
  10. Nurses may function as consultants providing clinical advisory tasks related to such functions as developing and accessing clinical health outcomes quality measures, evaluating clinical case reviews for adequacy of care, compliance with clinical and regulatory guidelines, overpayment, and audit recovery; and developing policy guidance for nursing care reviews conducted by State or Federal health facility surveyors and in collaboration with IHSC Medical Quality Management Unit.
TECHNICAL HEALTHCARE DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
  1. Using and/or carrying out standard procedures for a specialized healthcare field.
  2. Applying basic nursing knowledge acquired through practical experience and on-the-job activities of accepted processes, standards, methods, and their corresponding scientific principles and results.
  3. Carrying out tasks, methods, procedures, and computations based on oral or written instructions and/or precedents, guidelines, and standards.
  4. Collecting, observing, testing, and recording factual and scientific data to monitor care of patients.
  5. Foreseeing the effects of procedural changes or appraising the validity of results based on experience and practical reasoning.
  6. Staying abreast of existing and new practical methods and applications through on-the-job and classroom training.
  7. At least 50% travel is required to provide direct patient care to support local nursing operations through temporary duty assignments (TDY) within IHSC. May serve as medical escort of detainees as needed for domestic/overseas travel under the direction of the IHSC Special Operations Unit.
CONDITIONS OF WORK:
  • Work Schedule: Clinical positions may be required to work various shifts, or combinations of shifts, that may include 8 hour, 10 hour or 12 hour shifts; evenings, weekends and holidays also be required.
  • On-Call Duties: This clinical position may be required to perform on-call duties within the unit to which it is assigned during off shift hours, to in include evenings, nights, weekends and/or holidays.
  • Emergency Response: This clinical position may be required to respond to emergencies at the local facility to which it is assigned during off shift hours, to include evenings, nights, weekends and/or holidays.
  • Telework: This position may not support telework, and will be authorized on a case by case basis by the hiring manager.
  • Remote work: This position may support remote work, and will be authorized on a case by case basis by the hiring manager.
  • Recruitment/Relocation Incentives: Not currently authorized.
  • Student Load Repayment Program (SLRP) Authorized: Contact the IHSCIPUHQ@ice.dhs.gov
  • Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized.
  • Financial Disclosure Report: Not required.

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.
  • Probationary Period: This is a full-time permanent position (Career/Career-Conditional appointment). Upon appointment to this position, you may be required to serve a one-year probationary period.
  • Applicants must be a current USPHS Commissioned Corps Officer. USPHS Call to Active Duty (CAD) candidates are not eligible for this position. Civilians are not eligible for this position.

Qualifications

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

  1. Required to walk unaided at a normal pace for up to five (5) minutes and maintain balance.
  2. Required to jog/fast walk up to ¼ mile.
  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 (may require lifting, dragging, wheeling, or carrying someone who weighs significantly more than self).
  5. Must be able to see, hear (with hearing aids if necessary), and smell as needed.
  6. Must easily alternate between kneeling and standing.
  7. Must be able to lift, push, or carry 30 pounds.
  8. Must have the ability to sit and/or stand for extended periods of time (6-8 hours).
  9. Must perform the duties of the position in a stressful and often austere environment without physical limitations.
  10. Hazardous duty assignment

Education

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

  1. Competencies required:
    • Professional clinical nursing experience: 5 years
      • Experience in correctional health care preferred.
      • 3 years direct clinical patient care (e.g., inpatient) nursing experience preferred.
      • 1 year administrative and/or supervisory experience preferred.
      • 1 year experience equal to O4 (GS-12) required.
      • Maintains CPR/BLS certification.
    • Maintains CPR/BLS certification.
    • Obtain CCHP-RN within 2 years of assignment.
    • Cultural competency maintained through agency/other training.
  2. Qualifications-Degrees Required:
    • Baccalaureate Degree in Nursing.
      • Master's degree in nursing or related field preferred.
  3. Qualifications-Licenses and Certifications Required:
    • Nursing License- Must be a Registered Nurse (RN).
      • Maintains current/documented professional licensure. (It is the responsibility of the incumbent to fulfill the obligation(s) of their licensing or certifying body to maintain currency. This position may be required to perform clinical activities with the scope of clinical license in times of critical needs within and at the direction of the agency.)
    • Professional credentials/certification appropriate to current job specialty.
  4. Graduate of a professional nursing school approved by the appropriate State accrediting agency.
  5. Knowledge of the Nurse Practice Act for the licensing state and the state in which one practices nursing.
  6. Knowledge of a wide range of complex nursing concepts, principles, and practices to perform nursing assessments of considerable diversity to include mental health, medical/surgical, ambulatory, and emergency nursing care.
  7. Comprehensive knowledge of managing non-compliant patients, special needs populations, and patients with significant deficits in coping skills, thereby requiring continuing professional clinical support.
  8. Knowledge of correctional nursing concepts and principles.
  9. Demonstrated evidence of knowledge of nursing management and leadership skills.
  10. Knowledge of team building principles.
  11. Knowledge of staff development and basic adult learner teaching skills.
  12. Maintains clinical professional skills via continuing education opportunities.
  13. Ability to assess patients' needs and coordinate the appropriate nursing care plan.
  14. Demonstrates leadership and willingness/ability to assume an increased level of responsibility: may be tasked to function as Team Lead.
  15. Superior oral/written communication skills.
  16. Strong interpersonal and active listening skills.
  17. Critical thinking and analytical skills with ability to navigate complex systems.
  18. Demonstrates strong problem solving, judgment, and decision-making skills.
  19. Flexibility and ability to adapt to sudden changes in schedules and work requirements.
  20. Ability to plan and organize own workload and travel schedule utilizing IHSC travel policies.
  21. Performs as a punctual and dependent employee for assigned shifts.
  22. Required to provide direct patient care to support local nursing operation-at least 50% travel for temporary duty assignments (TDY) within IHSC.
  23. Intermediate or advanced knowledge of computerized databases, sources, and reporting methodologies. Proficiency in MS Office applications preferred.
  24. Follows supervisory chain of command.
  25. Performs other duties and responsibilities as assigned.
  26. Bilingual communication capability. Spanish preferred, but not required.

Additional information

The incumbent will report directly to the IHSC Medical Asset Support Team (MAST) Regional Director in the Clinical Services Support Unit.

The incumbent serves as the Senior Clinical Nurse Specialist, Medical Asset Support Team (MAST) member, for the IHSC Clinical Services Division. The incumbents' primary duty will be to serve as expert resources to support nursing staff, nursing practice, and the IHSC Health Care Mission. This will require direct nursing patient care at various IHSC facilities as assigned. The incumbent will provide clinical and administrative nursing support. This includes working with the IHSC Chief Nurse within the NSU to complete tasks designed to improve clinical nursing care within IHSC.

IHSC has a multi-sector, multidisciplinary workforce of more than 1100 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 detainees at 21 detention facilities throughout the country and manages the provision of off-site medical care for detainees housed in approximately 240 additional Intergovernmental Service Agreement (IGSA) facilities. The ICE detainee population is approximately 34,000 detainees on a daily basis, with an average length of stay of approximately 30 days, and over 400,000 detainees annually. The IHSC also provides medical support during ICE enforcement operations in the air, on the ground and at sea

MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT:
U.S. Public Service Commissioned Corps officers are detailed to Department of Homeland Security as described in a Memorandum of Agreement.

SUPERVISORY CONTROLS:
The Clinical Senior Nurse Specialist, Medical Asset Support Team (MAST) member works under the IHSC Medical Asset Support Team (MAST) Regional Director's general supervision with oversight provided by the Nurse Manager, Clinical Director or designee, and Health Services Administrator at a TDY site.

The incumbent functions independently to ensure planning, development, implementation, and evaluation of entire projects or provision of complete services; may supervise programs or services that encompass several professional fields. Impact of error can cause impairment of a departmental level service or program.

The incumbent plans and organizes his/her own work, determines the sequence of assignments, selects and develops methods and seeks assistance from experts only rarely. Assignments are usually long-term, recurring, or broadly defined. Work is reviewed for feasibility, compatibility with other work, and effectiveness in meeting requirements or expected results.

An extensive number of well-defined guides, methods, theories, and precedents are available. Situations to which existing guidelines cannot be applied or which require significant deviations from existing guidelines are referred to higher authority.

In addition to contacts with patients and patients' families in a clinical setting, establishes and maintains contacts with persons outside the immediate work environment, but within the Department. Contacts are required in order to collaborate, supply advice, explain, interpret, and seek support for methods, policies and programs, and to provide personalized nursing services and administer a moderately complex program requiring a moderate amount of explanation and tact.

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

  1. Cover Letter/Letter of Interest. Please include location preference here.
  2. Degrees. (Place under "Diploma/GED")
  3. Professional license. (If applicable)
  4. Additional professional certificates. (If applicable)
  5. Three professional references. (i.e., name, title and contact information)
  6. CV - e.g., relevant experience, education, training. (Place under "Resume")
  7. A copy of your Certificate of Investigation (located in your eOPF).
  8. *Three most recent Commissioned Officer Effectiveness Reports (COER). (Place under "Performance Appraisal")
  9. For current IHSC PHS officers, IHSC Recruiting requires applicants to provide a copy of your current Service Remaining Requirements Agreement.
  10. Indicate if you have an Assignment Pay (AP) Agreement and the date of the end of your AP Agreement.

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 06/04/2024.

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

Address

ERO-DRO-IHSC Public Health Service
500 12th Street SW
Washington, DC 20536
US
Learn more about this agency

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.


Note: We cannot accept applications on behalf of Federal Agencies. Application instructions are listed within the Job Description.


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