Duties

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.

Learn more about this agency

Responsibilities

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

• 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.
• Supervises health unit staff.
• 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.

Travel Required

Occasional travel - Medical Providers generally spend the majority of their career assigned to the Department of State's overseas missions and at times, live away from family and/or in difficult or isolated conditions. Selected applicants will be notified of an Oral Assessment (OA) requirement in Washington D.C. For the selected applicants, all travel and other expenses incurred in connection with the OA are the sole responsibility of the applicant.

Supervisory status
Yes

Promotion Potential
MC

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• Be a U.S. citizen and available for worldwide service.*
• Be able to obtain a Top Secret Security Clearance.
• Be able to obtain an appropriate Foreign Service Medical Clearance.
• 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.

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, with at least 75% of the 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.

Unofficial or official transcripts are acceptable. Your transcript must include your name, the school's name, and, if applicable, the degree and date awarded and have no missing 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.

Education from a program or institution within the United States must be accredited 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: www.naces.org/members.htm

AICE: www.aice-eval.org/members 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

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 United States - 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 Department of State Suitability Review Panel and standards are defined in Chapter 3 of the Foreign Affairs Manual. For more information please visit: https://fam.state.gov /

***For more information about Veteran's Preference and how it is applied in the selection process, please visit: http://careers.state.gov/faqs/faqs-wiki/are-veterans-given-hiring-preference-

No applicant 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 applicant 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 Department of State provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodations for any part of the application or hiring process should so advise the Department at ReasonableAccommodations@state.gov , within one week of receiving their invitation to the oral assessment. Decisions for granting reasonable accommodations are made on a case-by-case basis.

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 Credentialing and Indemnification

Applicants are subject to a medical credentialing process conducted by the Quality Management Staff of the Bureau of Medical Services. The medical credentialing process includes queries of the National Practitioner Data Bank and Physician Data Profile through the American Medical Association (AMA). Once hired, medical personnel are indemnified for official duties only through the U.S. Federal Tort Claims Act.

To preview questions please click here .

Background checks and security clearance

Security clearance
Top Secret

Drug test required
Yes

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. Required attachments also include:

• Copy of current NP or PA License, transcripts, verification of highest level of medical training.
• Proof of 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 65. 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.

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education .

Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.