Clinical Assistant Nurse Manager (O-5 Billet) Supervisory

Job Description

Department of Homeland Security

Immigration and Customs Enforcement

ICE Health Service Corps (IHSC)

Summary

This supervisory nursing position is part of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO), ICE Health Service Corps (IHSC), within the Office of the Deputy Assistant Director of Clinical Services (DAD-CSU).

The Assistant Nurse Manager (Associate Chief, Complex Unit) supports the Nurse Manager in overseeing daily nursing operations at a large, high-acuity IHSC facility—typically with over 500 beds and/or advanced medical housing units. Facilities at this level may handle increased operational demands, including large-scale detainee staging missions and removal operations with broad public health considerations.

In this role, you will help manage, supervise, and guide nursing staff, ensuring care is delivered in accordance with national, state, and local regulations and IHSC policies. You will work as part of the local leadership team and provide clinical and administrative support to maintain safe, high-quality nursing services in a detention environment.

Important: This position is open only to current U.S. Public Health Service (USPHS) Commissioned Corps Officers. USPHS Call to Active Duty (CAD) candidates and civilian applicants are not eligible for this role.

Key Responsibilities

Professional Duties:

• Apply advanced nursing principles and evidence-based practice to deliver and oversee comprehensive patient care.
• Develop, evaluate, and update individualized nursing care plans in collaboration with physicians and healthcare teams.
• Analyze patient care outcomes and recommend improvements to enhance care quality and patient safety.
• Serve as a clinical resource and consultant for staff on complex cases, quality improvement, and compliance with standards.
• Review and interpret professional literature to stay current on best practices and emerging trends in nursing and correctional healthcare.
• Contribute to policy development and participate in audits, case reviews, and quality assurance initiatives with IHSC leadership.

Technical Duties:

• Perform and supervise routine and specialized nursing tasks using accepted methods and standards.
• Monitor, document, and report patient care data accurately to support high-quality, continuous care.
• Adapt procedures and respond effectively to changes in patient condition or facility operations.
• Maintain and expand nursing knowledge through ongoing training and professional development.
• Provide emergency care, including CPR, when needed, and assist with the safe evacuation of patients or staff in crisis situations.

Conditions of Employment

• U.S. citizenship required.
• Must pass a background check and drug screening.
• Males born after 12/31/59 must show proof of Selective Service registration.
• Must be a current USPHS Commissioned Corps Officer (not CAD).
• Must not have an active Assignment Pay Agreement or must be able to complete it within 90 days.
• Upon appointment, a Service Remaining Requirement Agreement (18–24 months) must be fulfilled.

Required Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Nursing required; Master’s degree in Nursing or a related field preferred.
• License: Active, unrestricted Registered Nurse (RN) license; professional licensure must be maintained and current.
• Certifications: Current CPR/BLS; must obtain CCHP-RN within 2 years of appointment.
• Experience:
  • Minimum of 5 years of professional clinical nursing experience (correctional healthcare preferred).
  • At least 2 years of direct patient care (inpatient preferred).
  • Some supervisory or leadership training experience.
• Skills:
  • Strong knowledge of nursing practice, including mental health, medical/surgical, ambulatory, and emergency care.
  • Ability to manage challenging patients and provide ongoing support to special needs populations.
  • Demonstrated leadership, team-building, and staff development skills.
  • Ability to adapt to changing situations and follow the supervisory chain of command.
  • Cultural competency and commitment to continuing education.
• Must be physically able to lift more than 30 pounds and respond to emergencies in a detention setting, including running short distances, standing for long periods, and providing care while standing or kneeling.

Supervisory Controls

You will report to the facility Nurse Manager, with the Regional Nurse Manager serving as your reviewing official. In the absence of the Nurse Manager, you may act as the principal nursing advisor to the facility administrator. You will plan and carry out your work independently, using professional judgment and established guidelines, with your work reviewed for overall effectiveness and alignment with IHSC objectives.