Staff Physician (O-5 Billet) Non-Supervisory

Summary

As a Staff Physician you will practice mission-focused medicine and provide comprehensive primary and urgent care to individuals in federal custody while working within a collaborative, multidisciplinary federal healthcare system.

Responsibilities

• Provides medical care to a diverse international patient population in an ambulatory care setting and provides infirmary-based care to patients in facilities with a medical housing unit.
• Works in concert with facility staff and consultant specialists to ensure the provision of necessary health care services for patients.
• Utilizes communication assistance resources to ensure patients with limited English proficiency and/or communication disabilities can communicate and understand their plan of care.
• Performs all duties in accordance with accepted medical practices and standards of care as defined by community professional medical standards and operates within the scope of practice as granted in clinical privileges.
• Collects comprehensive medical and social history, conducts assessments to address acute and chronic detainee health care needs, examines and orders appropriate diagnostic testing, provides treatment, and refers cases to specialists or hospitals when necessary.
• Cares for more complex patients or those referred by an advanced practice provider (APP) due to greater medical management needs.
• Expected patient encounter rate is approximately one patient every 30-45 minutes, including evaluation and medical record documentation.
• Reviews and co-signs all medical documentation assigned by other health care personnel.
• Serves as a consultant for APPs and other clinical staff, providing clinical oversight and direction.
• For facilities with a medical housing unit, makes rounds on detainees admitted to his/her care with APPs and nursing personnel.
• Renders emergency medical, surgical, or mental health services as required.
• Ensures proper evaluations and treatments are carried out, monitors quality of patient care, and provides data to performance improvement programs.
• Primarily a weekday, day‑shift clinical position with shared on‑call responsibilities.
• May be asked to see patients on an interim basis outside the category of clinical expertise.
• May be asked to function as the clinical director in his/her absence.
• May be called on to assist in the operation of other clinics upon the absence of the regularly assigned physician.
• Assures proper maintenance of medical records, preparation of reports, and makes recommendations on policy, procedures, and equipment.
• Participates in health services in‑service programs and assists with training for staff.
• Works with various committees and maintains security of the institution.
• Follows the supervisory chain of command and performs other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• U.S. citizen.
• Successfully pass a background investigation.
• Successfully pass a drug screen.
• Male applicants born after 12/31/59 must certify registration with Selective Service.
• Must meet all requirements by the closing date of the announcement.
• Upon appointment, officers must serve an 18‑ to 24‑ month commitment to IHSC.
• Must have no current Assignment Pay Agreement, or if one exists, it must be fulfilled within 90 days of application.
• Applicants must be a current USPHS Commissioned Corps Officer or USPHS Call to Active Duty (CAD) candidate.

Qualifications

• Clear and effective oral and written communication skills.
• Represents the agency and its interests with external parties positively.
• Demonstrates technical proficiency by applying relevant knowledge and skills.
• Assigns, monitors, and evaluates the work of others with clear expectations.
• Leads by communicating a vision for work unit and translating organizational goals into actionable plans.
• Demonstrates IHSC core values of integrity, commitment, accountability, service, and excellence.

Physical Demands

• Lifting objects greater than 30 lbs for brief periods.
• Performing CPR/emergency care while standing or kneeling.
• Assisting sick, injured, or aging detainees or staff when exiting a building.
• Responding to emergencies requiring running, prolonged standing, and providing care in a secure facility.

Education and Training

• MD from a U.S. or Canadian program accredited by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education, or DO from a program accredited by the Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation, or Certified by the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates if the school is outside the U.S. or Canada.
• One completed year of postgraduate medical education (internship or first year of residency).
• Current, unrestricted, and valid medical license from any U.S. state, Washington D.C., Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, or Guam.
• Completion of at least 3 years of medical specialty training in Family Medicine, Internal Medicine, Emergency Medicine, or another primary care specialty with board eligibility; board certification preferred.
• Certification in American Heart Association Basic Life Support for Healthcare Providers, or equivalent.
• DEA registration to prescribe controlled substances.
• Typing proficiency and experience with electronic health record documentation.
• Flexibility to adapt to sudden changes in schedules and work‑related requirements.
• High degree of independence, initiative, clinical judgment, and follow‑through on sensitive, complex clinical issues.
• Experience in correctional or detention medicine is preferred.

Benefits

• Additional assignment pay at hard‑to‑fill duty locations.
• National Health Service Corps (NHSC) loan repayment program eligibility.
• Career development opportunities for leadership roles such as Clinical Director, Regional Clinical Director, or national program leadership positions.

The position offers a comprehensive federal benefits package and incentives designed to support physicians throughout their careers in federal service.

Applicants will be evaluated based on how well they meet the qualifications above. They may be selected for an interview at the discretion of the hiring authority.