Summary
The U.S. Department of State is developing a rank-ordered list of eligible hires for a limited number of Foreign Service Medical Provider (MP) (Family Nurse Practitioners and Physician Assistants) positions. A Recruitment Incentive of 10 percent of annual salary is available. Learn more about Foreign Service medical careers at https://careers.state.gov/med.
Joining the Foreign Service is more than just salary. Refer to the Benefits section for more information.
This job is open to
Clarification from the agency
Must be a U.S. citizen. Potential applicants should read the entire announcement to ensure they meet all requirements and understand a Foreign Service career. Applicants may not reapply for one year after their previous application for the same position. If a State Department Suitability Review Panel denied suitability in the last two years, you may not apply (except Diplomatic Security Special Agent (SA) candidates whose denial was based solely on the unique requirements for SAs).
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 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.
A Medical Provider works either independently or as a member of a team of Medical Specialists to provide medical support. A Medical Provider is considered “essential personnel” and is expected to be available on-call 24 hours a day, seven days a week. MPs 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.
- Collects medical information from patients.
- Performs adult and pediatric medical examinations.
- Provides prenatal care.
- Performs medical clearance examinations.
- Orders and analyzes diagnostic tests.
- Prescribes treatment.
- Writes prescriptions.
- Performs therapeutic procedures.
- Documents patient information and keeps medical records.
- Uses other computer software to provide services.
- Consults with healthcare team.
- Advises patients on all medical concerns and acts as patient advocate when needed.
- Helps employees with adjustment to lifestyle and culture.
- Offers mental health support in conjunction with the Regional Psychiatrist.
- Provides routine and travel vaccinations and manages immunization program.
- Provides emergency care for those on U.S. government property.
- Evaluates local medical resources.
- Coordinates local medical care.
- Establishes professional networks of local healthcare providers.
- Maintains own credentials, licensure, and continuing medical education.
Managing Occupational Health and Preventive Medicine Programs
- Identifies endemic conditions.
- Provides disease prevention programming and guidance.
- Performs health maintenance.
- Establishes wellness programs.
- Acts as the occupational health advisor in conjunction with Post’s Occupational Safety and Health Officer.
- Maintains basic life support certification and conducts training.
- Ensures safe drinking water and monitors food safety in consultation with Laboratory Specialists.
- Oversees the pre-employment or fitness for duty of local employees.
- Orients new personnel.
- Updates post medical information.
- Adheres to quality assurance procedures.
- Submits reports.
Administering Health Unit Functions
- Manages health unit resources.
- Hires, manages, and supervises local employees.
- Communicates regularly with Embassy/Consulate community and its leadership.
- Develops training programs for health unit staff and other Embassy/Consulate staff members as required.
- Exercises fiscal responsibility.
- Follows laboratory protocols.
- Participates in post’s family advocacy program.
- Facilitates military access to care.
- Advises consular personnel.
Coordinating Emergency Medical Response
- Provides emergency medical care.
- Provides medical leadership in crises.
- Advises post leadership.
- Initiates medical evacuations.
- Updates the emergency action plan.
- Manages the medical unit’s emergency response programs.
- Provides emergency medical training.
- Coordinates post’s epidemic medical response.
Embassy or State Department Specific Responsibilities
- Arranges medical evacuations and oversees care for patients awaiting evacuation.
- Liaises 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.
- Advises ambassador on medical matters.
- Supports all Embassy/Consulate occupational safety efforts including supporting the Post Safety and Health Officer (POSHO) in the Facilities office with regard to reporting of adverse occurrences.
- Communicates with medical headquarters in Washington.
- Participates in medical clearance decisions.
- Interfaces with local healthcare officials.
- Serves on “country team” as medical expert.
- Acts as a diplomat.
- Organizes medical representational events.
- Ensures 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).***
Essential Physical Requirements
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.
Qualifications
Licensure and Certification
Applicants must be currently licensed as a Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) or Physician Assistant (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 Academy 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, applicants will be required to obtain and maintain a District of Columbia license.
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
Applicants 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 KSAs and other attributes conducive to successful performance as an MP. An applicant’s education level, work experience, and other qualifications will be considered as part of the hiring decision-making process based on these KSA criteria.
Applicants 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 applicant can function as a public/community health provider.
The applicant must be a skilled and experienced primary health care practitioner with excellent interpersonal skills. The applicant must be able to function well within a complex organization and have experience working in a high stress environment, and 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.
Applicants 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.
Applicants 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 both small and large groups.
Applicants must be able to organize and supervise a diverse group of health care providers with varying degrees of expertise, education, and command of English. Applicants must understand the unique cultural differences related to healthcare delivery in varied countries and address these differences in a positive manner. Applicants must be able to assess, diagnose, and treat infectious diseases.
Applicants must possess a high degree of integrity, decisiveness and fairness in order to equitably apply the 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. Applicants 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: Applicants 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, applicants must possess:
- Diploma from accredited Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) or Physician Assistant (PA) program with 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 applicant's graduation.
- Equivalent degree from a foreign school that provided educational and medical knowledge equivalent to accredited schools in the U.S.
You must submit a copy of your university transcript(s) with your application. If you do not submit this documentation to demonstrate your educational achievements, your candidacy will not continue. Please review below the full list of required documents.
Unofficial or official transcripts are acceptable. Your transcript must include your name, the school’s name, the degree and date awarded, and have nomissing pages. A transcript missing any of these elements will not pass the minimum qualifications and the candidacy will not continue. Copies of diplomas may not be submitted in lieu of transcripts for education above high school level. Documents sent via link will not be accepted.
Education from a program or institution within the United States must be accredited at the time of program completion by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education, http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation.
Education completed in foreign high schools, colleges or universities may be used to meet the education requirements if you can show that the foreign education is comparable to that received in an accredited educational institution in the United States. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence when applying. Only accredited organizations recognized as specializing in the interpretation of foreign education credentials that are members of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) or the Association of International Credential Evaluators, Inc. (AICE) are accepted. If documentation from an accredited organization is not provided, your candidacy will not continue.
NACES: https://www.naces.org/index
AICE: https://aice-eval.org/
For further information on the evaluation of foreign education, please refer to the Office of Personnel Management and the U.S. Department of Education. The U.S. Department of State neither endorses nor recommends any individual evaluation service.
OPM: www.opm.gov
U.S. Department of Education: http://www.ed.gov
Benefits
Benefits include health and medical coverage, federal retirement benefits, and paid leave. Overseas benefits include tax-free housing, tax-free education allowance for dependent children between K-12 overseas, and an unrivaled opportunity to see the world and experience different cultures.
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 visit https://careers.state.gov/benefits/fs-entry-salaries/
DOS may authorize payment of recruitment incentives to eligible newly-appointed employees.
Review our benefits
How You Will Be Evaluated
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.
Medical Credential Verification and Indemnification
Applicants are 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 You may preview questions for this vacancy.
Required Documents
Required Documents:
Please ensure all required documents are uploaded and the application is complete before the closing deadline of this announcement. Missing required documents or incomplete applications will result in your application not being considered further.
- Résumé from USAJobs Résumé Builder, the only résumé format accepted for this Vacancy Announcement.
- Complete online application, including the required Accomplishments Questionnaire and Statement of Interest narratives. All required supporting documentation, including transcripts, certifications, professional licenses, or completed forms as required in this Vacancy Announcement. PDF documents are strongly recommended; illegible documents will not be accepted. Required attachments also include:
- Copy of current NP or PA License, transcripts, verification of highest level of medical training.
- Proof of current National Certification.
- Standard Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) certificate, if applicable, and other required documentation to demonstrate U.S. equivalency of a foreign degree.
- Veteran’s Preference documentation for applicants aged 60 to 64. If claiming a 5 pt. Veteran’s Preference, you must submit a copy of your DD-214 or Certification of service at the time of your application. If claiming a 10 pt. Veteran’s Preference, you must submit your VA letter and SF-15, in addition to your DD-214 or Certification of service at the time of your application. A Certification must be from the armed forces certifying the service member is expected to be discharged or released from active duty under honorable conditions within 120 days after the Certification is submitted by the applicant and should include military service dates, date of expected discharge or release, and character of service and disability rating, if applicable.
Accomplishments Questionnaire
The required questions provide an opportunity to describe examples and accomplishments from your education, work, and/or life experience that demonstrate your qualifications. Responses are limited to 300 words (2,000 characters) for each item. You should compose your replies carefully, as one of the skills necessary to succeed as a Foreign Service Specialist is the ability to write clearly and concisely. These items must be completed in the online application, not as attachments.
Clinical Experience:
- Describe your Primary Care experience with both well and sick infants, children, and adolescents. What was the type of practice setting? Provide the weekly average number of visits.
- Describe your Primary Care management of well women and those with gynecological complaints. Describe the practice setting and weekly average number of visits.
- Describe a complex adult Primary Care case you managed. Emphasize your assessment, work up, consultations utilized, treatment plan, follow up, and outcome.
- Describe a complex pediatric Primary Care case you managed. Emphasize your assessment, work up, consultations utilized, treatment plan, follow up, and outcome.
- Describe an event where you managed a medical emergency to stabilize a critically ill adult or pediatric patient. Provide specific details. How might you manage this same situation in a location with austere or distant medical resources?
- Organizational Skills: Describe your participation in a project that demonstrates your planning, communication, time management, and organizational skills. Describe how your written and oral communication skills contributed to a positive result.
- Leadership and Teamwork Skills: Discuss your abilities to lead as well as participate on a multidisciplinary team working toward a common goal. Describe the strengths and skills you drew upon to influence the team. Include examples of successfully supervising and managing staff.
- Interpersonal Skills: Provide an example of dealing with a difficult supervisor or colleague. How did you approach the situation and what resources did you use to help resolve the conflict?
- Crisis Management Skills: Describe an example in which your skills, clinical and/or other, significantly contributed to a positive outcome of a complex crisis event, including what you learned from the recent COVID pandemic.
- Work flexibility: Describe examples illustrating your willingness to change, learn, and take on new assignments despite challenging work setting and work demands.
Statement of Interest
Required narrative Statement of Interest which discusses your:
- Motivation for joining the Foreign Service;
- Relevant work experience, including any unique strengths not previously mentioned, such as special skills (e.g. computer), current licenses, certifications, honors, awards, special accomplishments, and/or training (with date completed) relating to this position;
- Experience living or working in a multicultural environment, overseas or in the United States.
How to Apply
Submit your application early, not waiting for the deadline, as application packages must be complete, submitted, and received by the closing date to be considered. There are no exceptions.
1. From this Vacancy Announcement, click on “Apply.” Go to the USAJobs Log In screen and log in to your USAJobs account or follow the link and instructions to create an account.
2. Follow the USAJobs Application Process and provide your required USAJobs federal online resume.
3. USAJobs will transfer you to the State Department agency online application site, Monster Government Service (MGS). Follow the instructions to answer the online questions. Your Accomplishments Questionnaire and Statement of Interest responses must be completed in the online application. You may save your work and can return to the application from USAJobs at any time prior to the deadline.
4. Submit required documentation using one of the three methods the application system allows: Transfer documents from a USAJOBS portfolio; upload documents from your computer; or resubmit documents from a previous application. PDF documents are strongly recommended; illegible documents will not be accepted. Documents sent via link will not be accepted.
Proof of certification for Physician Assistants should be obtained from the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants' (NCCPA) website via the "verification of current certification status" option. The verification document can be emailed to your personal email address and then uploaded as a PDF attachment.
5. After attaching all required supporting documentation, answering all required application questions, and completing the application steps, review the entire application packet, including the links for submitted documents.
6. Confirm and submit your application package, which will be used to evaluate your qualifications for this position.
The application submission deadline is 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on the closing date of this announcement.
It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure all required documents are submitted and the application is complete before the closing deadline. Any illegible or missing required documents or incomplete applications will result in your application not being considered further. There are no exceptions. PDF documents are strongly recommended. Documents sent via link will not be accepted. Illegible documents will not be accepted and are grounds for application termination.
Submit your application early and verify that your documents are attached. You may make changes as often as needed, up until the closing date of the announcement.
If you are having technical difficulty with the application process, please contact the Monster Help Desk by calling 1-866-656-6830 or by emailing mgshelp@monster.com. The Monster Help Desk is available Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Eastern Time.
For more information on the Foreign Service Specialist selection process, please visit http://careers.state.gov/work/foreign-service/specialist/selection-process.
Next steps
After the close of the announcement, the application status in USAJobs will say "Reviewing Applications." This status on USAJobs will not be updated further. You can click on "Track this application" for more information. Applicants will be notified by e-mail from the U.S. Department of State about the outcome of the initial application review and if they will be further considered for this Foreign Service position. We recommend adding the Department of State domain (@state.gov) as an approved sender.
Due to the high volume of applications, we ask all applicants to remain patient and await communication. It is not uncommon for several months to pass before you are informed of the results of your applications.
The Department will invite candidates who pass the qualifications review process to participate in the Virtual Foreign Service Specialist Assessment (VFSSA). For more information, please visit our FAQs at http://careers.state.gov/faqs.
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