El Paso Service Processing Center

About our facility

Originally built in 1989, the clinic was housed in a small trailer. In July of 2000, the new medical facility was opened and full ambulatory care services are currently available Monday-Friday from 0730 to 1630 hours. El Paso is a medium security facility with detainees from all over the world the majority being from Mexico and Central America. The clinic houses a nine-bed Medical Housing Unit (MHU) which is open 24 hours a day for patients with medical conditions that cannot be adequately cared for in the general population. Nursing staff is on duty 24 hours a day, seven days per week to medically screen new arrivals, provide primary care as needed, staff the MHU and respond to medical emergencies. In addition, the medical referral center is home to a state-of-the-art teleradiology unit and dental clinic. The clinic is fully accredited by the National Commission on Correctional Health Care (NCCHC), the American Correctional Association (ACA) and the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO).

Meet our staff and see what we do

When the facility first opened in 1989, the medical team consisted of four staff members and the average daily census was 300 detainees. Today, the medical team consists of 34 full-time employees including Commissioned Officers, civil service and contract employees serving a population of over 800 male and female detainees. The staffing mix consists of the Medical Director, Health Services Administrator (HSA), Assistant Health Services Administrator, Physician's Assistants and Family Nurse Practitioners, Registered Nurses, Licensed Vocational Nurses, Pharmacist and Pharmacy Technician, Dentist, Dental Assistant, Administrative Assistant and Medical Records Technicians. In addition to addressing the daily non-emergency needs (sick call) of the detainees, the clinic staff also maintains chronic disease clinics for detainees with a variety of medical and mental health conditions. Health education is a major component of the medical program and is provided through video, written literature and individual counseling of patients. The Medical Referral Center staff is committed to working together with the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Detention and Removal personnel in order to carry out its mission.

We work as a team to meet the Division's mission of preventing the spread of disease globally through the provision of primary health care.

Our Location

The facility is located on approximately 27 acres of land near the center of town. El Paso is the western-most city in the state of Texas and rests on the U.S. Mexican border. Native American and Mexican American art and culture abound in this most historic of American cities. From the "old west" cowboy folklore to Native American cave pictographs, El Paso is filled with interesting things to see and do. Located at the foot of the Franklin Mountains, El Paso boasts a "high desert climate". The temperature rarely gets below 32F in the winter and is usually warm and sunny all year, thus earning it the nickname of the "Sun City."

Places to go, People to see

El Paso is one of America's oldest cities and is rich with multicultural and historical significance. World famous Mexican cuisine and music are just a part of this fascinating city. The mission trail, consisting of three of the oldest missions in the United States is a must-see for all visitors. El Paso is home to many diverse activities from the "Shakespeare on the Rocks" festival held in scenic McKelligon Canyon every summer to the annual "Amigo Air Show" in October at nearby Biggs Army Airfield. There are also many opportunities for outdoor adventure in El Paso and the surrounding areas. The nearby Gila National Forest is the site of ancient Native American cliff dwellings and offers camping and hiking. Other sites for outdoor fun include Franklin Mountains State Park, a great area for camping, hiking and biking and Hueco Tanks State Park renowned for it's amazing Native American pictographs and rock climbing. Elephant Butte Lake is only a short drive from El Paso and provides opportunities for swimming, boating, fishing, hiking and camping. El Paso is also the home of Fort Bliss, a large United States Army post which is the site of the home of General "Black Jack" Pershing as well as the Air Defense Artillery Museum and the Non-Commissioned Officers Museum.

To learn more

About the Division of Immigration Health Services' El Paso Medical Referral Center and the clinical and administrative opportunities available, please contact us at the address below.