Registered Nurse (O-3 Billet) Non-Supervisory

Immigration and Customs Enforcement

Taylor, TX

JobSummary

The Registered Nurse provides direct care to ICE detainees, including assessments, triage, medication administration, and emergency response. Responsibilities include coordinating care, maintaining documentation, and ensuring compliance with IHSC policies. The role requires clinical expertise, adaptability to changing schedules, and the ability to work in a multidisciplinary team in a detention setting. This position is only open to USPHS officers and Call to Active Duty (CAD) candidates.

LowGrade

HighGrade

PromotionPotential

None

SubAgencyName

ICE Health Service Corps (IHSC)

OrganizationCodes

HS/HSBB

Relocation

True

HiringPath

public

MCOTags

TotalOpenings

AgencyMarketingStatement

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is calling on those who want to help protect American interests and secure our Nation. DHS components work collectively to prevent terrorism; secure borders and our transportation systems; protect the President and other dignitaries; enforce and administer immigration laws, safeguard cyberspace; and ensure resilience to disasters. We achieve these vital missions through a comprehensive workforce spanning hundreds of occupations. Make an impact; join DHS. The mission of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is to protect America from the cross-border crime and illegal immigration that threaten national security and public safety. ICE focuses on smart immigration enforcement, preventing terrorism, and combating the illegal movement of people and goods. ICE is the principal investigative arm of DHS and the second largest investigative agency in the federal government. Created in 2003, through a merger of the investigative and interior enforcement elements of the U.S. Customs Service and the Immigration and Naturalization Service, ICE has more than 20,000 employees in more than 400 offices in the United States and around the world. ICE is a key component of the DHS layered approach to protecting our nation from a wide range of threats. For additional information about ICE and career opportunities, please visit www.ice.gov.

TravelCode

ApplyOnlineUrl

https://apply.usastaffing.gov/Application/Apply

DetailStatusUrl

https://apply.usastaffing.gov/Application/ApplicationStatus

MajorDuties

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: Provides direct nursing care to detainees with knowledge of nursing care principles, practices, and procedures. Provides nursing procedures as ordered following Lippincott Procedure Manual after completed IHSC Registered Nurse (RN) competency documentation on annual basis. Additionally, follows and remains current on all applicable IHSC directive and guidelines. Documents all detainee encounters using S.O.A.P.E. format, followed by the nurse's signature and name stamp on written documentation or by locking notes in electronic health record. Ability to assess patients' needs and coordinate appropriate nursing care plan. Obtains medical histories on detainees; referring medical problems identified to the physician, or Advanced Practice Provider (APP) as appropriate. Demonstrates nursing triage process and screening of detainees/residents during sick call and performs functions as outlined in the approved IHSC Clinical Nursing Guidelines, refers patients to higher level of care as appropriate. Accesses interpretation and/or translation services as needed to ensure ability to communicate with detainees or others who are not proficient in the English language. Provides daily nursing care as needed in Medical Housing Units (MHU) and notifies physician, or APP of any abnormal findings. Provides care for psychiatric patients as indicated. Coordinates health care needs of detainees with healthcare team and coordinates referrals to off-site providers as required. Provides patient teaching/training in accordance with agency directives. Maintains non-involvement in the security/custody aspects of care. Assists the medical provider with medical appointments by taking the detainees vital signs, and assisting as necessary. Responds to emergency medical calls as assigned and provides emergency treatment of injury or illness to detainees as required. Performs orders authorized by the physician, APPs, or other qualified health care provider. Ensures the medical orders are implemented in a timely manner. Applies knowledge of drugs and therapeutics in administering medication. Ensures that medications prescribed are administered as ordered, using the 6 rights of medication administration. Ensures all new medication orders are reviewed before administration and acknowledged either by initials by each new order on paper medication administration records or by acknowledging in new electronic medication administration record. When medication orders are signed off, initials are placed next to the order and circled to maintain appropriate documentation. Maintains security when administering medications; maintain cognizance at all times of the potential hazard of drug hoarding and trafficking among detainees. Provide radiological services in accordance with nursing board state licensure rules; these services will be to conduct tuberculosis surveillance i.e. digital single view chest x-rays, if applicable. Draws labs as requested and collects laboratory specimens. Administers immunizations; reads and documents immunizations accordingly. Follows all IHSC Public Health, Safety, and Preparedness Unit Directives and Guides to maintain environmental health and safety, infection control, and all hazards emergency preparedness daily. Responsible for maintenance of medical equipment and quality control of laboratory reagent. Maintains medical supply stock level, may order supplies (lab and other supplies); restocking as needed. Maintains non-involvement in the security/custody aspects of care. Performs record keeping functions in accordance with program policies. May prepare statistical information, regularly scheduled reports, or special reports as necessary. Attends general/medical and Nursing Service Unit (NSU) meetings as scheduled. Must be able to work rotating shifts including holidays and weekends Performs as punctual and dependent employee for assigned shifts. Maintains clinical professional skills via continuing education opportunities. May serve at other IHSC medical facilities on temporary duty (TDY). May serve as medical escort of detainees as needed for domestic/overseas travel under direction of special operations. Demonstrates potential and willingness/ability to assume increasing levels of responsibility: May be tasked to function as Team Lead for regional projects or serves as Clinic Coordinator, if assigned. Demonstrates increasing impacts at the local/regional level, including team/unit participation. May participate in quality improvement or other team/unit reviews/activities. Nurse demonstrates they efficiently and effectively work at higher than their current grade. Engages in one or more collateral activities that contribute to the agency/PHS mission. Identifies and suggests process improvement activities at local level. See additional duties in the "Additional Information" box below.

Education

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES: Must be a Bachelor prepared Registered Nurse. Must be licensed by a State, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or territory of the United States. Knowledge of the Nurse Practice Act for the licensing state and/or the state in which one practices nursing. Maintains current/documented professional license. Maintains current CPR/BLS certification. Maintains USPHS Basic Readiness status. Minimum of one year of professional nursing experience. Knowledge of a wide range of complex nursing concepts, principles, and practices to perform nursing assessments of considerable variety to include mental health, medical surgical, ambulatory and emergency nursing care. Professional credentials/Certification appropriate to current job specialty. Knowledge of medication administration guidelines, and pharmaceutical agents and their desired and adverse effects in order to recognize untoward effects and take appropriate corrective measures. Knowledge of managing non-compliant patients, special needs populations, and patients with significant deficits in coping skills, thereby requiring continuing professional clinical support. Knowledge of nursing management and leadership skills. Knowledge of team building principles. Knowledge of forensic nursing concepts and principles. Intermediate knowledge of computerized data base, sources, and reporting methodologies. Flexibility and ability to adapt to sudden changes in schedules and work requirements. Spanish language proficiency preferred, not required.

Requirements

Evaluations

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.

HowToApply

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 05/21/2026. 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.

WhatToExpectNext

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.

RequiredDocuments

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 Cover Letter/Letter of Interest. Degrees. (Place under "Diploma/GED") Professional license. (If applicable) Additional professional certificates. (If applicable) Three professional references. (i.e., name, title and contact information) Official USPHS Promotion CV - e.g., relevant experience, education, training. (Place under "USPHS Promotion CV") You may provide a civilian resume in addition to the USPHS Promotion CV to capture all relevant work experience. A copy of your Certificate of Investigation (located in your eOPF). *Three most recent Commissioned Officer Effectiveness Reports (COER). (Place under "Performance Appraisal") For IHSC USPHS officers only, a copy of your current Service Remaining Requirements Agreement. Indicate if you have an Assignment Pay (AP) Agreement and the date of the end of your AP Agreement. If you do not, please submit a memo attesting to no AP in the Assignment Pay (AP) Agreement section in the documents section of application. New Call to Active Duty Cover letter/Letter of Interest. Please include location preference here. Degrees. (Place under "Diploma/GED") Professional license. (If applicable) Additional professional certificates. (If applicable) Three professional references (i.e., name, title, and contact information) CV - e.g., relevant experience, education, training. (Place under "USPHS Promotion CV") U.S. Public Health Service - Appointment Board Decision Letter/Email or a screenshot of AES dashboard to the United States Public Health Service

Benefits

BenefitsUrl

https://www.usphs.gov/salary-and-benefits

OtherInformation

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES CONT'D: Partners with a nurse peer to lead an established training class/program at the local level at least once per year; or partner with Staff Nurse Registered Nurse III to develop or update one patient education material annually. Participates as a mentee in regular one-on-one or group mentoring activities. Active member at the local level in Professional, Uniformed Service and Specialty. Organizations; evidence that PHS Commissioned Corps (CC)/IHSC collateral activities impact and contribute to the PHS mission at the local/regional level. Performs other duties and responsibilities as assigned. 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. The incumbent will be supervised by the Nurse Manager in collaboration with the Health Services Administrator and Clinical Director, with the Regional Nurse Manager as the reviewing official. This is a non-supervisory position. IHSC has a multi-sector, multidisciplinary workforce of more than 1400 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 22 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. IHSC also provides medical support during ICE enforcement operations in the air, on the ground, and at sea. DHS SUPERVISORY CONTROLS: DHS ICE ERO HHS SUPERVISORY CONTROLS: DHHS USPHS CC SUPERVISORY CONTROLS: The Registered Nurse II Clinical Nurse Intermediate will be supervised by the Nurse Manager in collaboration with the Health Services Administrator and Clinical Director, with the Regional Nurse Managers as the reviewing official.

KeyRequirements

WithinArea

False

CommuteDistance

ServiceType

AnnouncementClosingType

AgencyContactEmail

IHSCrecruiting@ice.dhs.gov

SecurityClearance

Other

DrugTestRequired

True