Job Description

This Position is Contingent on Contract Award.

Under the direction of the National Medical Director, physician supervisors and in collaboration with the Office of the Chief Medical Officer (OCMO) of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), contracted physician assistants deliver healthcare services to persons in custody in accordance with the polices and protocols listed in the Statement of Work (SOW) and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) directives for the delivery of healthcare services to persons in custody.

Physician assistants share the administrative functions that directly impact medical services and collaborates with the management team in overall planning and execution of program directives. Physician assistants work to assure delivery of quality healthcare services in accordance with the SOW for the medical services contract within medical units at U.S. Customs and Border Protection sites including, Office of Field Operations (OFO) ports of entry, U.S. Border Patrol Border (USBP) Stations. Performs the clinical responsibilities as agreed upon by the National Program Director.

Contracted medical staff will be working alongside uniformed Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Agents/Officers in secured federal facilities along the southwest border of the United States. These secured federal facilities are staffed and monitored by CBP personnel and/or contracted security staff 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to assure a safe working environment to include the co-located medical unit. Contracted medical staff work together with CBP personnel to provide health care services for persons of all ages, to include infants, children, adults, and pregnant females.

MISSION

CBPs Office of the Chief Medical Officer (OCMO) employs a trauma informed care model to provide frontline medical care for persons in CBP custody in accordance with Enhanced Medical Support Efforts CBP Directive (2210-004). This model provides a team of medical professionals comprised of physicians, advanced practice providers (e.g., physicians assistants, nurse practitioners) and support staff (e.g., Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurses, Paramedics, EMTs, Certified Medical/Nursing Assistants). These contracted medical teams provide basic assessment and medical treatment for persons in CBP custody to include emergency care as needed.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Provides direct patient care within their scope of practice to persons in custody, including children, pregnant women, and adults, to include emergency and urgent care.
• Consults with a Physician for complex medical, pediatric, or psychiatric patients, completes orders recommended/authorized by the physician.
• Performs history and physical assessment, behavioral health care, minor outpatient procedures, patient education, and refers any care beyond the scope of the medical unit to local medical facilities emergency departments or urgent care centers.
• Performs vital signs electronically and manually, as indicated.
• Ability to apply professional principles, procedures, and techniques for Physician’s Assistants to patient care.
• Knowledge of drugs and therapeutics when prescribing and dispensing medication.
• Maintains compliance with DHS and CBP policies and any overriding accreditation standards that may apply.
• Ability to properly use equipment and supplies in simple diagnostic and treatment procedures.
• Works within their scope of practice, facility Standing Orders/Standing Operating Procedures and protocols, and within the Collaborative Agreement.
• Maintains patient confidentiality and privacy of medical records, complies with HIPAA regulations as applicable, performs record keeping functions in accordance with program policies and the system of records management.
• Maintains non-involvement in the security aspect of patient care and custody.
• Participate in disease surveillance activities and public health and epidemiology studies/efforts, as needed.
• Attends all general staff meetings during duty hours and participates with medical quality management initiatives and reviews as applicable.
• Assures a safe and clean working environment and assists in the disposal of biologically hazardous waste on a regular basis, adheres to universal precautions, and takes appropriate infection control precautions.
• Completes all annual trainings as required, or any additional training as assigned.
• May be required to travel short notice.
• May be required to serve at various medical units within the sector/region.
• Duties will be performed on-site at medical units, flexible scheduling and overtime are optional, as available.
• All medical documentation will be signed and dated, whether electronic or paper.
• Participates with the Peer Review process, performs chart reviews as assigned, and assists with orienting new PAs or nurse practitioners, as assigned.
• Provides clinical oversight of support staff as needed, to include nurses, certified nursing assistants, certified medical assistants, emergency medical technicians, and paramedics.
• Communicates an end of shift report to the oncoming shift.
• Participates in Medical Quality Management/Quality Assurance/Risk Management activities and initiatives as needed.
• Provides emergency care to employees and visitors for life, death, and loss of sight/limb situations until Emergency Medical Services arrives.

This list is non-exhaustive, and the role holder may be required to undertake additional duties that are not specifically listed above.

Qualifications

BASIC REQUIREMENTS

Education/Training

• Graduate of an accredited Physician Assistant Program located in any United States jurisdiction. Must be accredited by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for Physician Assistant (ARC-PA) or one of its predecessors. The degree issuing institution and/or program must be accredited by an entity recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Licensure/Certification

• Candidates must have a current, active, valid, and unencumbered license, registration, or certification to practice as a Physician Assistant issued by any United States jurisdiction. Licensure must be maintained current, and any education and training must be completed within the required timeline for completion by the licensing/certifying authority. Any license changes must immediately be reported to the employer. A temporary license will not be accepted.
• Board Certification as a Physician Assistant by the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) or National Commission on Certification of Physicians Assistants (NCCPA) is preferred. Certification must be maintained if required as part of licensure for the jurisdiction’s licensing authority.
• Candidate should not have had any professional licensure/certification withheld, suspended, revoked, or denied, and the candidate must not have surrendered or allowed a licensure/certification to have expired or lapsed because of an investigation or disciplinary action. Any National Practitioner Database finding will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
• Candidate must not have been convicted of, pled guilty to, pled nolo contender to, or received probation before judgement for any crime other than a minor traffic violation, the record of which has not been expunged.
• Current unexpired Basic Life Support (BLS) Certification must be maintained from one of the following approved organizations:
  • American Heart Association (AHA) BLS for health care providers
  • American Heart Association Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), if applicable
  • American Red Cross CPR/BLS for the professional rescuer
  • American Safety and Health Institute (ASHI) CPR and AED for healthcare providers and professional responders
    • Course components must include Adult, Pediatric, and Infant CPR, Foreign Body Airway Obstruction, and Automatic Defibrillator (AED) proficiency
    • Applicant/ Employee must be certified upon hire and may also be a certified instructor
    • BLS must be renewed prior to expiration date.

Experience

• Must have a minimum of one year of experience as a licensed Physician’s Assistant in direct patient care.
• Experience in detention/correctional healthcare, ambulatory care, or a pediatric setting encouraged, but not required.
• Bilingual in English and Spanish encouraged but not required.

Supervisory Controls

• Works under the administrative direction of a Physician, the Physician Supervisor, Pediatric Advisor, or in their absence the Deputy National Medical Director.
• Works under the clinical supervision and/or direction of the Physician, Physician Supervisor, or the Pediatric Advisor, or in their absence, the Deputy Medical Director.
• In this position, the employee will serve as a contractor to the federal government and does not have any federal authority or rights.

Physical Demands

• Able to walk, stand, bend, or sit for extended periods.
• Able to reach to retrieve documents or supplies.
• Able to carry materials and/or file boxes up to 30 pounds on an infrequent basis or assist patients into/out of a wheelchair.
• Must be capable of standing on hard surfaces (cement floors) for long periods of time.
• Must perform the duties in a stressful and often austere environment without physical limitation.
• Must be able to respond to a medical emergency and perform BLS/CPR as needed.

Other Special Qualifications

• US Citizen or Permanent Resident Card is required.
• Ability to obtain and maintain the U.S. Government security clearance. Applicants with current clearances are preferred.
• Must be able to read, write and speak English to effectively communicate.
• Proficiency in both English and Spanish is preferred.

Additional Information

Pay range is based on several factors and may vary in addition to a full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits. Final salary and offer will be determined by the applicant’s background, experience, skills, internal equity, and alignment with geographical market data.

Compensation Min: $95,000 Max: $200,000

Benefits – Full-time positions are eligible for our comprehensive and competitive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, and basic life insurance. Additional benefits include a 401k plan paid time off and an annual bonus. International SOS complies with all federal, state, and local minimum wage laws.

International SOS Government Medical Services is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against employees or job applicants on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, amnesty or status as a covered veteran in accordance with the applicable federal, state and local laws.

International SOS Government Medical Services is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against employees or job applicants on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, amnesty or status as a covered veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws.