PRIMARY CARE PHYSICIAN

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 resident health care.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

The incumbent supports the delivery of medical care services for detainees held in the custody of ICE at a detention facility through their role as a primary care physician. The incumbent will provide direct patient care to detainees at their facility, who may include adult men and women and children, and will provide clinical oversight and consultation to other medical staff caring for detainees at the facility.

REQUIRED EDUCATION, LICENSURE, AND EXPERIENCE

Degree issuing institution and or program must be accredited by an entity recognized by the U.S. Department of Education

• Qualification for a physician’s degree:
  • Have a Doctor of Medicine degree from a U.S. or Canadian program accredited by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education sponsored by the Association of American Medical Colleges and the American Medical Association (AMA); or
  • Have a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree from a program accredited by the Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation of the American Osteopathic Association (AOA); or
  • Be certified by the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates if you are a graduate of a medical school that is not located within a U.S. State or territory or other jurisdiction, or a Province or Territory of Canada
• Current, full, and unrestricted license to practice medicine 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 licensure must be reported to the employer immediately.
• Must have and maintain an unrestricted license from the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to prescribe controlled medications in the state in which the duty station is located.
• Depending on the detention facility physician requirement, proof of completion of three years of medical specialty training in Family Medicine, Internal Medicine, Emergency Medicine, or Pediatrics leading to board eligibility in that field, with board certification preferred, and at least 1 year of directly related, professional experience performing professional or scientific work in a field of medicine providing direct patient-care services.
• For physicians working at family residential centers:
  • Board certification preferred, or board eligible, in Family Medicine or Pediatrics.
  • Family Medicine physicians working at family residential centers must be proficient to provide care to children and adults of all ages, to include the care of female health conditions, supervision of prenatal care, and care of chronic health conditions common to the primary care setting.

• For physicians working at adult detention facilities:
• Board certification preferred, or board eligible, in Family Medicine, Internal Medicine, or Emergency Medicine.
• Must be proficient to provide care to adults of all ages, to include the care of female health conditions, supervision of prenatal care, and care of chronic health conditions common to the primary care setting.
• Must have and maintain one of the following certifications: Basic Life Support for health care providers through the American Heart Association®, CPR for the professional rescuer through the American Red Cross or the American Safety and Health Institute.
• Experience in a detention/correctional or residential healthcare setting (preferred, not required).

ATTRIBUTES AND PROFESSIONAL QUALITIES

• Strong oral and written communication skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.
• Critical thinking skills.
• Cultural competence to be able to serve a diverse patient population.
• Integrity and honesty.
• High degree of independence, initiative, and follow-through on sensitive and complex issues.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Excellent current knowledge of clinical medicine and the current standards of medical practice.
• Ability to serve proficiently as a clinical expert, providing technical assistance and consultation to clinic medical staff.
• Ability and proficiency to properly use equipment, materials and supplies involving primary care diagnostic and treatment procedures.
• Ability to review medical cases/records for appropriateness of care and provide recommendations for care management.
• Highly effective managerial and administrative practices, to include expertise in routine management of ambulatory clinic functioning and responsibilities.
• Has the capacity to develop and access clinical educational programs for their staff.
• Proficient teaching skills and dedicated to the education of clinical professionals at all levels.
• Knowledge of issues confronting the healthcare delivery system, including specific problems and concerns of special population groups.
• Knowledge of medical practice management theory with skillful ability to implement program policies, guidelines and operating procedures relating to healthcare delivery systems.
• Ability to work in a multi-cultural, multi-lingual, multi-disciplinary care environment, and to effectively apply social determinants of health practices in delivery of medical care.

• Ability to adapt to sudden changes in schedules and flexibility in work requirements.
• Ability to communicate proficiently in English (verbal and written) to develop positive rapport with patients, co-workers and other stakeholders.
• Ability to maintain high productivity in an electronic work environment notably involving electronic health records, web-based training, and communications.
• Knowledge of, and moderate proficiency in, common Microsoft Office programs including but not limited to Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, SharePoint, and Teams.
• Knowledge of regulations (HIPAA/Privacy Act) regarding the confidentiality of patient medical records and information as well as personally identifiable information (PII).
• Verbal and written proficiency in Spanish (preferred, not required).

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Serves as on-site medical authority within the scope of services provided by IHSC, responsible for developing and coordinating all aspects of healthcare delivery at assigned facility.
• Contributes to the production of the clinic with expectation to routinely see a patient at least every 30-45 minutes, depending on complexity of the patient encounter. This also includes signing of all assigned patient encounter notes daily. All chart reviews /co-signatures, referrals submissions/reviews, lab reviews, telephone encounters, actions, and message reviews are to be completed within policy guidelines.
• Clinical supervisory authority over advanced practice providers (APPs), nursing staff, pharmacists, and medical assistants, including fulfillment of APP collaborative practice duties and requirements and delineation of scope of practice for medical assistants.
• Provides direct care to patients throughout the lifespan within physician scope of practice and performs functions in accordance with currently accepted practice defined by the profession, licensure, certification, and granted privileges.
• Conducts physical assessments, initial and follow-up assessments for acute and chronic medical condition, ensuring appropriate diagnostic and therapeutic tests and services are available, utilized and monitored.
• Acts as initial reviewer and/or approver for all outside referrals/consults to specialty services not offered at the local facility.
• Conducts daily rounds on patients housed in the Medical Housing Unit and/or consults with clinicians as necessary regarding their care, if applicable to the facility.
• Responds to and/or coordinates response to medical emergencies.
• Seeks guidance from and provides clinical report to the IHSC Medical Director, Deputy Medical Director, Regional Clinical Directors or other IHSC senior leadership as appropriate.
• Supports facility performance improvement activities, and grievance and case review taskings.
• Performs record keeping functions in accordance with program policies and position.
• Maintains functional proficiency and ease of use utilizing electronic health records as required by, and appropriate to, position.