Summary
The U.S. Department of State is developing a rank-ordered list of eligible hires for a limited number of Family Nurse Practitioners and Physician Assistants, Foreign Service Medical Provider (MP) positions. Learn more about Foreign Service medical careers.
There is more to joining the Foreign Service than just salary. Refer to the Benefits section for more information on total compensation.
Duties
The Bureau of Medical Services (MED) maintains and promotes the health of employees and their eligible family members who represent U.S. government agencies abroad. The Department assigns Family Nurse Practitioners and Physician Assistants, Foreign Service Medical Providers (MPs), to posts overseas. Many of these posts have significant health risks and local medical care that is inadequate by U.S. standards.
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A Family Nurse Practitioner/Physician Assistant, Foreign Service Medical Provider works either independently or as a member of a team of Medical Specialists to provide medical support. A Foreign Service Medical Provider is considered essential personnel and is expected to be available on-call 24 hours a day, seven days a week. MP's duties may include, but are not limited to:
Providing Primary Health Care Services
- All Medical Specialists working with the Bureau of Medical Services must be willing to provide primary care services and counseling to all patients regardless of age, sexual orientation, gender, race, ethnicity, national origin, language, disease, disability, or religion.
- Collect medical information from patients.
- Perform adult and pediatric medical examinations.
- Provide prenatal care.
- Perform medical clearance examinations.
- Order and analyze diagnostic tests.
- Prescribe treatment.
- Write prescriptions.
- Perform therapeutic procedures.
- Document patient information and keeps medical records.
- Use other computer software to provide services.
- Consult with healthcare team.
- Advise patients on all medical concerns and acts as patient advocate when needed.
- Help employees with adjustment to lifestyle and culture.
- Offer mental health support in conjunction with the Regional Psychiatrist.
- Provide routine and travel vaccinations and manages immunization program.
- Provide emergency care for those on U.S. government property.
- Evaluate local medical resources.
- Coordinate local medical care.
- Establish professional networks of local healthcare providers.
- Maintain own credentials, licensure, and continuing medical education.
- Identify endemic conditions.
- Provide disease prevention programming and guidance.
- Perform health maintenance.
- Establish wellness programs.
- Act as the occupational health advisor in conjunction with Post's Occupational Safety and Health Officer.
- Maintain basic life support certification and conducts training.
- Ensure safe drinking water and monitors food safety in consultation with Laboratory Specialists.
- Oversee the pre-employment or fitness for duty of local employees.
- Orient new personnel.
- Update post medical information.
- Adhere to quality assurance procedures.
- Submit reports.
- Manage health unit resources.
- Hire, manage, and supervise local employees.
- Communicate regularly with the post community and its leadership.
- Develop training programs for health unit staff and other post staff members as required.
- Exercise fiscal responsibility.
- Follow laboratory protocols.
- Participate in post's family advocacy program.
- Facilitate military access to care.
- Advise consular personnel.
- Provide medical leadership in crises.
- Advise post leadership.
- Initiate medical evacuations.
- Update the emergency action plan.
- Manage the medical unit's emergency response programs.
- Provide emergency medical training.
- Coordinate post's epidemic medical response.
- Arrange medical evacuations and oversees care for patients awaiting evacuation.
- Liaise with other regional medical officers and with local and international experts to support patient care.
- May assist with regional travel to support other Consulates/Embassies.
- Advise ambassador on medical matters.
- Support all post's occupational safety efforts including supporting the Post Safety and Health Officer (POSHO) in the Facilities office with regard to reporting of adverse occurrences.
- Communicate with medical headquarters in Washington.
- Participate in medical clearance decisions.
- Interface with local healthcare officials.
- Serve on "country team" as medical expert.
- Represent interests of the United States Government to host government. Organize medical representational events.
- Ensure health-unit security.
Requirements
Conditions of Employment
- Be a U.S. citizen and accept assignments based on the needs of the FS.
- Be able to obtain a Top Secret Security Clearance.
- Meet the minimum medical qualification standard.
- Be able to obtain a favorable Suitability Review Panel determination.
- Be at least 20 years old and at least 21 years old to be appointed.
- Be appointed prior to age 60 (preference eligible veterans excepted).
Basic physical ability requirements are vision, hearing, speaking, mental endurance, dexterity, and mobility. In addition, MPs may need to perform other physical essential functions effectively with or without reasonable accommodation, in environments that pose physical or other occupational challenges. These duties may include:
- Provision of direct patient care that may require heavy lifting, pulling, stooping, and twisting in austere environments
- Traveling independently to regional posts utilizing commercial air carriers, military aircraft, or other transportation modalities that may not offer special access accommodations
- Provision of emergency care in any location following an accident, natural disaster, or attack and emergency care in potentially hostile or physically challenging environments, such as in buildings without elevators or in areas with irregular spaces that require kneeling, bending, stooping, lifting, walking and running over uneven terrain
- Transportation of self or patients via small aircraft, helicopters, ambulances, or other non-standard modes of transportation with small entrances and high floors, such as high axle armored vehicles.
Licensure and Certification
The candidate must be currently licensed as Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) or Physician Assistant/Physician Associate (PA) in a state, a territory of the U.S., Puerto Rico, or the District of Columbia and must have current national certification as a FNP or the PA-equivalent from the American Nurses Credentialing Center, American Association of Nurse Practitioners or the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants. Applications will not be accepted from Nurse Practitioners or Physician Assistants who are not currently licensed and certified. Licenses and national board certification and re-certification as a Family Nurse Practitioner or Physician Assistant must be maintained during employment with the Department's Bureau of Medical Services. Once hired, the candidate will be required to obtain and maintain a District of Columbia license. Attach all required licenses and certifications to application.
Continuing Medical Education (CME)
MPs receive at least 25 hours of Category 1 CME credit through an annual State Department-sponsored Continuing Medical Education conference.
Specialized Experience
The candidate must have a minimum of five (5) years of full-time clinical experience within the past seven (7) years, post NP or PA family practice certification. Full time is defined as a minimum of 40 hours/week with at least 75% of the time involved in direct primary care or 30 hours/week with 100% of time involved in direct primary care. Otherwise qualified clinicians who have practiced primarily emergency medicine, hospital-based practice or other non-ambulatory settings must demonstrate thorough understanding of primary care practice fundamentals as defined in the next paragraph.
"Primary care" encompasses adult and pediatric diagnosis and treatment of acute illness and management of chronic diseases, routine gynecologic care, prenatal care, adult health maintenance and preventive health care, well child-care and immunization management. It embraces the total family unit across the lifespan, including emotional and physical aspects that impact overall well-being. The Medical Provider utilizes and coordinates sub-specialty professional consultations when needed.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSA)
The Department has conducted extensive job analysis research to determine Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs) and other attributes conducive to successful performance in this position. A candidate's education level, work experience, and other qualifications will be considered as part of the hiring decision-making process based on these KSA criteria.
The candidate must have demonstrated a high degree of clinical and management expertise. The patient population covered is unique because of background and lifestyle as part of a diplomatic community overseas. This population also differs in terms of clinical and administrative needs and the national security concerns inherent in their employment. Previous experience working in similar occupational settings and/or in an overseas setting is advantageous.
The candidate must demonstrate the ability to manage administrative aspects of a HU as well as the ability to cope with extraordinary medical crises, often in remote and isolated settings. Education and experience must demonstrate that the candidate can function as a public/community health provider.
The candidate must be a skilled and experienced primary health care practitioner with excellent interpersonal skills. The candidate must be able to function well within a complex organization and have experience working in a high stress environment. Also be able to recognize and understand the problems of delivering healthcare to Americans posted in locations where local medical resources are limited or non-existent. The ability to logically and objectively analyze patient problems, and apply sound clinical judgment is required. Experience in providing long distance triage and care via electronic communications such as telephone, telemedicine, radio, and e-mail is preferred.
The candidate must have the capacity to gain the cooperation and confidence of patients, co-workers, supervisors, and subordinates. Individuals must have experience working in a multidisciplinary practice as well as experience in team building, leadership and management. Effective written and oral communication skills are essential, as well as the ability to present medical findings in a clear and concise manner to medical and non-medical personnel. Demonstrated ability to teach or lecture to groups on medical issues is preferred.
The candidate must be able to develop, coordinate, and administer healthcare delivery programs. These include but are not limited to individual and community health promotion and disease prevention programs to include teaching health topics to small and large groups.
The candidate must be able to organize and supervise a diverse group of health care providers with varying degrees of expertise, education, and command of English. The candidate must understand the unique cultural differences related to healthcare delivery in varied countries and address these differences in a positive manner. The candidate must be able to assess, diagnose, and treat infectious diseases.
The candidate must possess a high degree of integrity, decisiveness and fairness in order to equitably apply regulations and policies of the medical program to all eligible persons.
Knowledge and hands-on familiarity with computer systems are preferred.
Specific medical knowledge areas required by the job include: family practice, pediatrics, women's health issues, obstetrics, infectious disease, orthopedics, dermatology, gastroenterology, neurology, urology, laboratory/radiology/other diagnostic testing, pharmacology, general surgery, mental health conditions, alcoholism and drug abuse, nutrition, emergency medical techniques, immunizations, health-related environmental factors, food and water safety, occupational safety and health, and quality assurance procedures.
Specific medical skills required by the job include: family practice, clinical interviewing, physical assessment, performing medical clearance examinations, performing medical procedures, operating medical equipment, planning of evaluation and treatment, triage, data interpretation, and research techniques. Candidates must provide comprehensive health assessments and medical care to individuals and families across the lifespan.
Management skills required by the job include: supervision, leadership, teaching others, managing personnel and financial resources, contingency planning and crisis management, organizing and managing events/programs/projects, time management, collaborating, working with limited resources, acclimating to different cultures, and computer use.
Personal skills required by the job include: reading comprehension, active listening, oral and written communication, public speaking, active learning, complex problem identification, critical thinking, judgment and decision making, math, social perceptiveness, interpersonal skills, persuasion, service orientation, monitoring, coordination, and process operation and control.
Other attributes required by the job include: compassionate, resilient, self-confident, firm convictions, independent but integrated with the department, interest in continuous learning and change, interest in foreign service work, tolerance of on-call and emergency demands, tolerance of travel, worldwide available, and tolerance of living away from family.
Superior oral and written communication skills: The candidate must demonstrate a strong command of the English language to include grammar, spelling, and punctuation. Foreign Service Specialists must consistently meet a high standard for English, both written (overall structure as well as grammar, spelling, and punctuation) and spoken (overall structure as well as delivery, clarity, and succinctness).
Education
At the time of application, the candidate must possess:
- Degree from accredited Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) or Physician Assistant/Physician Associate (PA) program;
- A minimum of a Master's degree in a health related field from a school in the U.S. or Canada that was approved by a recognized U.S. accrediting body in the year of the candidate's graduation.
- Equivalent degree from a foreign school that provided educational and medical knowledge equivalent to accredited schools in the U.S.
Foreign Education
Foreign education acquired outside of any state of the U.S., the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, a Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, or any territory or possession of the U.S. must be evaluated by a member organization of one of the two national associations of credential evaluation services (NACES or AICE) in order to be given credit towards qualification.
- The accredited interpretation must include the summary and the foreign education transcripts.
- Foreign education transcripts that have not been evaluated by a credential evaluation service will not be accepted and the candidacy will be terminated.
Additional information
EMPLOYMENT ELIGIBILITY VERIFICATION PROGRAM (E-Verify) - Verification of employment eligibility in the United States is required.
U.S. law requires companies to employ only individuals who may legally work in the U.S. - either U.S. citizens, or foreign citizens who have the necessary authorization. This agency utilizes E-Verify to compare information from the Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification, to data from U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Social Security Administration (SSA) records to confirm employment eligibility. If the employee's information does not match DHS and/or SSA records, the employee is given an opportunity to resolve the problem. If eligibility cannot be verified, employment will be terminated.
The U.S. Department of State Suitability Review Panel and standards are defined in Chapter 3 of the Foreign Affairs Manual. For more information, please visit the Foreign Affairs Manual.
For more information about Veteran's Preference and how it is applied in the selection process, please visit the FAQs.
No candidate will be considered who has previously been separated from the Foreign Service under sections §607, §608, §610 or §611 of the Foreign Service Act of 1980, as amended, or who resigned or retired in lieu of separation under these provisions. In addition, no candidate will be considered who has previously been separated for failure to receive a career appointment under section §306 of the Foreign Service Act of 1980, as amended, or who resigned or retired in lieu thereof.
A Foreign Service Specialist separated for failure to receive a career appointment under section 306 may not re-apply to be a Foreign Service Specialist in the same skill code but may apply for another skill code or to be a Foreign Service Generalist.
Executive Branch agencies are barred by 5 US Code 3303 as amended from accepting or considering prohibited political recommendations and are required to return any prohibited political recommendations to sender. In addition, as mandated by 5 US Code 3110, relatives of federal employees cannot be granted preference in competing for these employment opportunities.
It is the policy of the Federal Government to treat all employees with dignity and respect and to provide a workplace that is free from discrimination whether discrimination is based on race, color, religion, sex (including gender identity or pregnancy), national origin, disability, political affiliation, marital status, membership in an employee organization, age, sexual orientation, or other non-merit factors.
The U.S. Department of State provides reasonable accommodation to candidates with disabilities. Procedures vary by test type, and all candidates must request reasonable accommodations in advance. For more information visit Requesting Reasonable Accommodations - Careers (state.gov). Decisions for granting reasonable accommodations are made on a case-by-case basis.
- Benefits
Benefits include health and medical coverage, federal retirement benefits, and paid leave. Overseas benefits include tax-free housing and tax-free education allowance for dependent children between K-12 overseas, and an unrivaled opportunity to see the world and experience different cultures.
Candidates are eligible for a 10% recruitment bonus and a 10% retention bonus.
The salary range listed comes from the Foreign Service Overseas and Washington pay scales. The starting salary for MPs is FP-03, steps 5 through 14. The starting step is determined in part by highest educational level achieved and also professional experience level beyond the minimum qualifications. Additional steps may be granted based on the following: one step for a master's degree in public health from a program accredited by a nationally recognized U.S. accrediting agency. Individuals already working in government positions may be appointed based on highest previous rate as a Federal employee. For information on salary, please view our benefits.
Review our benefits
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
Candidates will be evaluated on their total background including experience, education, awards, training, and self-development as it relates to the position. Selection for this position will be made only from among candidates possessing the best qualifications. Part-time work experience will be prorated.
The Department of State prohibits candidates from plagiarizing any portion of their employment application materials to include responses to questions in which candidates must provide a narrative response. Candidates must create their own responses originally and not copy or adapt them from other sources. The Department analyzes candidate submissions for plagiarism and will discontinue any individual's candidacy if found to have violated this plagiarism policy.
While the Department of State encourages candidates to create their narratives with great care, including correct use of grammar and style, candidates are prohibited from using any artificial intelligence (AI) tool, to include but not limited to ChatGPT, to aid in their written responses. The Department will discontinue any individual's candidacy if found to have violated this prohibition on use of AI tools in the application process.
Medical Credential Verification and Indemnification
The candidate is subject to a credential verification process conducted by the Quality Management Staff Unit of the Bureau of Medical Services.
This process includes query of the National Practitioner Data Bank and independent verification of state licenses and national certifications. Once hired, medical personnel are indemnified for official duties only through the U.S. Federal Tort Claims Act, so long as they are acting within their scope of work.
Active Bureau of Medical Services clinical privileges, specific to the position, are a condition of employment for all Foreign Service Medical Specialists.
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