Department of State PA

[kb355]

Hello everyone!

I was wondering if you or know of a PA who works with department of state overseas. I recently received an email for an opening for multiple locations all over the world. I have no clue how they got my email. Locations included areas that seem unsafe and high risk american embassies.

I really just want to know how it works in terms of travel, safety, what is the experience like?

 

I would appreciate any feedback.

[EMEDPA]

I know several folks who do this. usually you start out in africa for a year or 2 then can go after stuff in south america. europe is usually for very senior folks as assignments are based on seniority. most of the "combat postings" go to folks who ask for them specifically as they pay more. I have a good friend at the embassy in Niger now and he loves it.

[Eventide]

My career goal! I am working on getting the necessary experience to become a US State Dept Foreign Service Health Practitioner one day. If you do not mind moving every 2-4 years, living in "hardship" areas to start, then check it out. Great opportunity to practice medicine around the world (on embassies), plus your family can travel with you.

 

I too would love to get in touch with any PAs out there that actually serve in this role. Been researching for years, but not yet been in touch with a current FSHP.

 

There is a blog written by an NP in this role for more perspective: http://npworldview.blogspot.com/

State Dept forums: http://careers.state.gov/engage/forums

Job posting: http://careers.state.gov/specialist/vacancy-announcements/hp

 

Good luck!

[EMEDPA]

I understand this is much easier to do if you have a background in public health like an MPH, DHSc, DrPH, etc

that was part of my reason for going back to school.

[DizzyJ]

This is also my dream job.  Just going to get a year or so into my DHSc and then applying.  Worked overseas once and can not wait to get back out of the states.  

[SCHMITTIE120]

I will be trying for one of these jobs once I get out of the Navy, seems like it would be a good transition. 

[Doc Savage]

I assume prior military with combat experience would be a plus. I like the fact that you can take your family with you! I am kinda thinking of going back in the Military... but if you get to take your family on these assignments that would be much better. I wonder what the catch is?

[Eventide]

New FSHP positions opened today. I'm going to try applying! I only have the minimum requirements, but it's worth a shot!

http://careers.state.gov/specialist/vacancy-announcements/hp?source=govdelivery&utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery

[PANomad]

I am a newly minted FSHP working in Africa.  This is a different type of gig to be sure.  Potentially patient volumes will be quite low as you are caring for a limited number of eligible patients depending on your post.  You are kept busy by being responsible for the entirety of the clinic to include training, staffing, inventory, purchasing and reviewing local medical capabilities.  You are on call 24/7.  You may have very limited medical resources in country.  You have to learn to negotiate the incredible bureaucracy of the US Government.  You may be asked to participate in a variety of diplomatic functions outside of medicine.

 

Having a solid Family Medicine background and especially some ER experience is very helpful in getting in.  The State Department is actively recruiting PA's for the job.  If this is what you want to do my advice is to persevere and take your time with the application; it is cumbersome and a pain but do your best to fill it out completely even if you think you do not have much to say in a particular area, you have to give it your best shot.  I looked at the application over a number of years and felt like I could't answer everything well, I finally took the plunge, took my time, and it paid off.

 

Best of luck.  There is not a lot out there about this job.  There are not many jobs like this either.

[akdEM]

PANomad,

 

Would you mind telling us a little bit about what your life is like as a PA with the State Dept? How much of your time is actually spent seeing patients vs administrative stuff? I've had my eye on one of these jobs since before I started PA school, and I would love to hear more detail about what you actually do. That NP blog is the only other thing I've ever been able to find that talks about. Thanks!

[PANomad]

Akdem, this is my first tour and I am a newly minted FSHP so take what I say for what it is worth.  In general you spend most of your time doing non direct patient care type work that can be really varied, from inventory control and ordering to researching a medical topic for the embassy community to vetting local medical resources.  However when your clinical skills are needed by the community this is where you shine.  You are on call 24/7 and people take great comfort (at least in remote posts) from your availability to help.  Typically this is not a "see 25 patients per day" job.  I think an important part of the job is both the ability and willingness to live and work in some demanding places and accept and deal with challenges that you wouldn't even consider in the States.  

 

One thing to consider is that the FSHP's, especially 1st and 2nd tour newbies, get sent to some real hardship posts.  The factors of significant urban growth have left many developing world capital cities choked in pollution, gridlocked traffic, destitute of green spaces and often plagued by crime and new FSHP's get the worst of the worst out of those.  That is not to say that communities can not be found and distractions not pursued, but it may take some extra ordinary effort at times.

 

This job is not for everybody, I'm still working out if it will be for me over the long run, but it is incredibly unique and worth exploring if there is an interest in this line of work and a willingness to live in some very challenging environments.  

[rpackelly]

PA Nomad.......are you the PA that was in the south pole?  If so (and even if not, so don’t take me wrong) your opinion is much appreciated. 

 

The skills of a good clinician can make you good at almost everything else needed for an isolated post.   You are naturally an administrator, a counselor, a negotiator, a leader,  a tactical and strategic expert, and a logistician.  As well as a PA.  Congrats and thank you for your service.  

[kb355]

Thank you all for the wonderful responses. I forgot all about this thread since the website was down a few days after I posted it. Thank you again and I will consider applying once I get more experience. 

[SCHW9076]

Is this very competitive to get into? Does anyone know how many applicants there typically are when a job opens up, and how many people are hired?

[PACdan]

Is this very competitive to get into? Does anyone know how many applicants there typically are when a job opens up, and how many people are hired?

 

Yes. Requirements have been raised recently as well. The State Department now requires a minimum of 5 years post-graduate work experience for PAs and FNPs to apply. The former min. was 2 years. Most applicants have a majority of that time in family practice. One must also be eligible to obtain & maintain a TS clearance.

 

On a related note, it appears that they recently changed the nomenclature for PAs/NPs from FSHP (foreign service health practitioner) to FSMP (foreign service medical provider). Interesting...

[ventana]

Medical Provider (FSMP - NP/PA)

 

VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT

United States Department of State

An Equal Opportunity Employer

How to Apply

Announcement Number: MP-2015-0002

Position Title: Foreign Service Medical Provider (FSMP - NP/PA)

Open Period: 02/19/2015 – 04/02/2015

Series/Grade: FP – 0610 - 03

Salary: $ 77,498 - $113,803

Promotion Potential: Senior Foreign Service

Duty Locations: MANY Vacancies Throughout the World

For More Information: Medical Services Office, 202-663-1084, medhr@state.gov

Who May Apply

All potential applicants are strongly urged to read this entire Vacancy Announcement to ensure that they meet all the requirements before applying.

Applicants must be United States citizens and at least 20 years old to apply. They must be at least 21 years of age to be appointed. By law, all career candidates must be appointed to the Foreign Service prior to the month in which they reach age 60.

Applicants are not eligible to reapply until one year after the application date of prior announcements.

No applicant will be considered who has previously been separated from the Foreign Service under sections 607 (Retirement for Expiration of Time-in-Class), 608 (Retirement Based on Relative Performance), 610 (Separation for Cause), or 612 (Termination of Limited Appointment) 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 from the Foreign Service 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. Specialists separated pursuant to these provisions 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).

Duration of Appointment

Permanent after being tenured in the Foreign Service by the Tenure Boards.

Marketing Statement

The Department of State is developing a rank-order Register to fill a limited number of Foreign Service Medical provider vacancies. The specific number to be hired will depend on the needs of the Foreign Service in any given year and is subject to change.

Grade and Salary Range: FP-03, $77,489 - $113,808. (Base salary only, please “click here” for additional salary and benefits information).

Summary

THE FOREIGN SERVICE MEDICAL PROVIDER CAREER

The U.S. Department of State is the lead foreign affairs agency formulating and implementing the President’s foreign policy and representing U.S. interests throughout the world. Foreign Service Medical Providers are presently serving in Abidjan, Accra, Addis Ababa, Algiers, Ankara, Antananarivo, Ashgabat, Astana, Baghdad, Baku, Bangkok, Beijing, Beirut, Berlin, Bishkek, Bogota, Brasilia, Brussels & Antwerp, Bucharest, Budapest, Bujumbura, Cairo, Chengdu, Chisinau, Colombo, Conakry, Djibouti, Dushanbe, Erbil, Frankfurt, Freetown, Guatemala City, Hanoi, Havana, Herat, Hong Kong, Islamabad, Jakarta, Juba, Kabul, Kampala, Karachi, Kathmandu, Kigali, Kinshasa, Kuala Lumpur, Kuwait, Kyiv, La Paz, Libreville, Lilongwe, London, Luanda, Lusaka, Managua, Manama, Manila, Maputo, Mexico City, Miami/Ft. Lauderdale, Monrovia, Moscow, Mumbai, Nairobi, N’Djamena, New Delhi, Niamey, Nouakchott, Ouagadougou, Peshawar, Phnom Penn, Port au Prince, Prague, Pretoria, Pristina, Quito, Rabat, Rangoon, Santo Domingo, Sofia, Tashkent, Tbilisi, Tegucigalpa, Tel Aviv, Tirana, Tripoli, Tunis, Ulaan Baatar, Vienna, Vientiane, Washington, DC, Yaoundé, and Yerevan. There may be additional posts opening in the near future.

While the preference of an applicant for a particular post or area of assignment is given every possible consideration, assignments are dictated by "the needs of the service."

The Foreign Service is more than a job – it’s a career. As a member of a diplomatic team, you will not only help to accomplish the mission of the Department of State, but also will be a representative of your country to the people of other nations. A Foreign Service career involves uncommon commitments and occasional hardships, as well as unique rewards and opportunities. A decision to enter this career should be based on extraordinary motivation and a firm dedication to public service.

Many overseas posts are in small or remote countries where harsh climates, health hazards, and other discomforts exist and where American-style amenities and the latest in technological advances often are unavailable. Personal security frequently becomes an area of concern in countries where there is political unrest or terrorist activity. However, careers in the Foreign Service offer special rewards, including the pride and satisfaction of representing the United States and protecting U.S. interests abroad.

The Office of Medical Services in the Department of State maintains and promotes the health of employees and their eligible family members who represent U.S. Government agencies abroad. The Department assigns Foreign Service Medical Providers, Medical Officers, Medical Officer/Psychiatrists and Medical Laboratory Scientists to select posts overseas. Many of these posts have significant health risks and local medical facilities are often inadequate to cope with them. The Foreign Service Medical Provider assumes the role of primary care provider, and is responsible for administering a full range of community health care services, including preventive health education for the U.S. Embassy's official community and on a regional basis when indicated.

The Foreign Service strives to maintain diversity in the representation of gender, geographic region, race and ethnicity within its work force.

Key Requirements:

All applicants, in order to be considered for selection, must:

• Be a U.S. citizen.
• Be at least 20 years old to apply and at least 21 years of age to be appointed. By law (Foreign Service Act of 1980), all career candidates (except for preference-eligible veterans)** must be appointed to the Foreign Service prior to the month in which they reach age 60.
• Be available for worldwide service.
• Be able to obtain a Top Secret Security Clearance.
• Be able to obtain an appropriate medical clearance for Foreign Service work.
• Obtain a Suitability Clearance, based on a review of the candidate's record for conduct in accordance with suitability standards defined in Chapter 3 of the Foreign Affairs Manual. For more details see http://careers.state.gov/work/foreign-service/specialist/selection-process or http://www.state.gov/m/a/dir/regs/fam.

NOTE: Individuals who have been found unsuitable for employment by a Department of State Final Review Panel for Suitability within the previous two years are ineligible to apply (unless the individual was a candidate for a Special Agent position with the Diplomatic Security Service and the decision to deny eligibility was based on the candidate’s inability to fulfill the unique duties of that position and not based on suitability standards).

For more details see http://careers.state.gov/work/foreign-service/specialist/selection-process or http://www.state.gov/m/a/dir/regs/fam.

Major Duties

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Serving as a Foreign Service Medical Provider in support of the employees of the United States Government and their eligible family members, a medical provider may work independently or in conjunction with other Foreign Service medical personnel. The Foreign Service Medical Provider duties include, but are not limited to, the following:

1. Provide primary and preventive health care services across the lifespan: Obtains patient history, performs physical assessments to include diagnosis and treatment, emergency and other acute care services, analyzes diagnostic tests, provides routine and travel vaccinations, prescribes electronically, performs therapeutic procedures, offers mental health support, responds to child and spousal abuse, documents patient information, uses electronic health records, coordinates inpatient care and monitoring, arranges and prepares for medical evacuation, emphasizes prevention of malaria and other tropical and infectious diseases, establishes healthy lifestyle programs and supports patients in their adjustments to the Foreign Service, teaches CPR and first aid, ensures patient confidentiality, serves as patient advocate, consults with other health care team members, and maintains professional credentials and continuing education.
2. Engage in diplomatic responsibilities: Collaborates with local healthcare officials, liaises with local and international experts, evaluates local hospitals, doctors and laboratories for types of services and standards of care, ensures safe blood supplies, reviews local pharmacies and pharmaceutical manufacturers, interacts with non-Department of State agencies, advises Ambassador on health issues affecting the Mission, attends country team, serves on Emergency Action Committee, comprehends Workman's Compensation and health insurance plans, selects post medical advisors, advises consular personnel, collaborates with Center for Disease Control, acts as occupational health advisor, monitors food and water safety, provides emergency care for those on U.S. government property, and oversees the pre-employment or fitness for duty of local employees.
3. Direct health unit administrative functions: Manages health unit personnel and resources, maintains current inventory of medications and supplies, hires local employees, orients and trains new personnel, ensures universal precautions, oversees controlled substances, sets budget priorities and exercises fiscal responsibility, facilitates military access to care, maintains medical records, updates medical information booklet, maintains Medical Capabilities Information report, monitors satisfaction surveys and provides constructive feedback, contributes to post differential report, ensures appropriate security measures in the health unit, organizes representational events, manages immunization program, assists regional psychiatrist, submits statistical reports, adheres to quality assurance procedures, assists in facilitating Emergency Visitation Travel, and monitors currency of health unit staff competencies and continuing education.
4. Coordinate emergency medical response duties: Oversees all medical aspects of his/her post’s emergency preparedness program which includes counter-terrorism measures and responses to terrorist attacks and incidents involving chemical, nuclear and biological weapons, and natural disasters. Updates the medical section of post or consulate’s Emergency Action Plan, provides emergency medical training, manages MED's emergency response programs, coordinates post pandemic medical response, provides medical leadership in crises, provides emergency medical care, provides VIP medical coverage, and manages mass casualty evacuations.
5. Accomplish regional management duties: Performs regional travel in collaboration with Regional Medical Officer/Manager, supervises health unit staff in region, liaises with other Regional Medical Officers/Managers, mentors new Foreign Service Medical Providers, and communicates with the Office of Medical Services in Washington, D.C.

Foreign Service Medical Providers are considered “essential personnel” and are on call to provide services 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

DESCRIPTION OF FUNCTIONAL DUTIES

A career in the Foreign Service involves uncommon commitment and could include extreme hardship along with unique rewards and opportunities. A decision to enter this career must involve enthusiastic motivation, and a firm dedication to public service. In addition to living and serving in the United States as with all Foreign Service positions, living and serving overseas is mandatory. Many overseas posts are in small or remote countries where harsh climates, health hazards, potential danger, and other discomforts exist, and where American-style amenities frequently are unavailable.

Foreign Service Medical Specialists (RMOs, RMO/Ps, MPs, and RMLSs) are responsible for Department of State medical and safety policies, provision of a range of medical services, management of Health Unit operations, supervision of subordinate staff, and the actual performance of all of the essential functions in addition to routine family care. They

• Inspect and assess the care and capability of local clinics, hospitals, laboratories, and private practices in possibly hazardous environments, and/or where there are no special access accommodations.
• Provide patient care that may include heavy lifting, pulling, stooping and twisting in adverse settings.
• Travel independently to regional constituent posts (if applicable) utilizing air carriers and transportation facilities that may not have special access accommodations.

The essential RMO, RMO/P, and MP functions of providing emergency care include the following responsibilities:

• Triage and management of care of injured persons in any location following an accident, natural disaster, or attack.
• Provision of emergency care as required in a hostile or physically challenging environment, such as in buildings without elevators or in areas of irregular spaces that require kneeling, bending, lifting, and running. Transportation of patients via small aircraft, ambulance, or other vehicle with high floors.
• Assistance with evacuation via sea or air in the event of political unrest.

Education

Education Requirements:

In addition to the general requirements for employment in the Foreign Service, applicants must be a graduate of an accredited Masters-level Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) or Physician Assistant (PA) program at the time of appointment with a minimum of a Master's degree. A review panel will recommend that the most competitive candidates be invited to take a proctored writing examination as part of the final assessment. The ability to draft an essay which demonstrates a command of English grammar, spelling, and punctuation will be an important consideration in order to participate in an oral assessment, which is explained further in our website, careers.state.gov, under Selection Process.

Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet Federal job requirements for this position if the applicant can show that foreign education is comparable to education received in the United States. It is the responsibility of the applicant to provide such evidence when applying for Federal jobs. To view how foreign education is evaluated for federal jobs, please visit http://www.opm.gov/qualifications/policy/ApplicationOfStds-04.asp.

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 United States or the District of Columbia and must have current national certification as a Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) or the Physician Assistant 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. National Board certification and re-certification as a Family Nurse Practitioner or Physician Assistant must be maintained.

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE/REQUIREMENTS

Applicants must have a minimum of five (5) years clinical experience post NP or PA family practice certification. 75% of the NP or PA’s time must be involved in direct primary care for at least four (4) out of the last five (5) years.

The term “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 preventative health care, well child care and managing immunizations. It embraces the total family unit across the lifespan – including emotional and physical aspects that impact overall wellbeing. Emergency department and urgent care experience are a plus. The primary care provider utilizes and coordinates sub-specialty professional consultations when needed.

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 an occupational setting and/or in an overseas setting is advantageous. Thorough understanding of the unique needs of the Department and the rigors of Foreign Service life is also preferable.

The candidate must demonstrate the ability to manage administrative aspects of a Health Unit 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 health care to a large group of Americans posted in widely scattered locations where local medical resources are limited or non-existent. The ability to logically and objectively analyze patient problems and apply sound clinical judgment in assessing possible solutions is required. Experience in providing long distance triage and care via electronic communications such as telephone, telemedicine, radio, and e-mail to individuals is preferred.

Candidates must have the capacity to gain the cooperation and confidence of patients, co-workers, supervisors, and subordinates. Individuals must have experience in working in multidisciplinary practice as well as experience in team building, leadership and management. Effective written and oral communications skills are essential, as well as the ability to present medical findings in a clear and concise manner to medical and non-medical personnel. The demonstrated ability to teach or lecture to groups on medical issues is preferred.

Candidates must be able to develop, coordinate, and administer health care delivery programs. These include but are not limited to individual and community health promotion and disease prevention programs. This includes teaching health topics to both small and large groups. Candidates must provide comprehensive health assessments and medical care to individuals and families across the lifespan.

Candidates must be able to organize and supervise a diverse group of health care providers who have varying degrees of expertise, education, and command of the English language. Candidates must understand the unique cultural differences related to health care delivery in varied countries and address these differences in a positive manner. Candidates must be able to assess, diagnose, and treat infectious diseases.

Knowledge of medical regulations and policies of the Department of State is preferable. 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.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES, AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS

The education, work experience, and other qualifications are evaluated for evidence of knowledge, skills, abilities, and other requirements that have been identified as important to successful job performance as a Medical Provider based on extensive job analysis research. Not all of these attributes need to be met by a candidate; the attributes will be used as a set to evaluate candidates.

1. Knowledge of infectious diseases, pediatrics, obstetrics, gynecology, women’s health issues, dermatology, otorhinolaryngology, gastroenterology, urology, general surgery, orthopedics, neurology, radiology, psychiatry, nutrition, occupational medicine, epidemiology, vaccines, diagnostic testing, emergency techniques, clinical pharmacology, health-related environmental factors, medical aspects of terrorism, alcoholism and drug abuse, laboratory medicine, food safety and medical quality assurance procedures.
2. Specific skills in medical history-taking, physical examination, planning of evaluation and treatment, electrocardiography, minor surgery, triage, operating medical equipment, basic computer programs, research techniques, and working with limited resources.
3. Personal skills in social perceptiveness, oral communication, written communication, reading comprehension, active listening, critical thinking, active learning, judgment and decision making, complex problem solving, service orientation, teaching supervision, leadership, time management, acclimating to different cultures, collaborating, learning strategies, persuasion, and organizing events and projects.
4. Other attributes include empathetic personality, self- confidence, firmness of convictions, adaptability, unflappability, creativity, confidentiality, interest in Foreign Service work, country loyalty, tolerance of non-scheduled work hours, physical endurance, worldwide availability, tolerance of travel, tolerance of separation from family, and working and living in difficult and/or isolated conditions.

Qualifications

SUPPLEMENTARY QUESTIONNAIRE

Purpose: The Supplementary Questionnaire inside the application provides an opportunity to describe examples and accomplishments from your education, life and work experiences that relate to the required skills which best show you have the KSAOs listed above to accomplish the work of the Foreign Service Medical Provider.

Instructions: During the application process, you will be asked to individually address each of the numbered items listed below, limiting responses to 2,000 characters or less for each item. Examples can be drawn from any part of your personal experience, but must reflect personal accomplishments. The information you give may be used in your oral assessment/interview should you be invited and is an important factor in the competitive evaluation of applicants. You should compose your replies carefully, as one of the skills required of an experienced Medical Provider is the ability to write clearly and concisely.

1. Clinical Experience:
   1. Describe your clinical experience working with well and acutely ill infants, children, and adolescents. Include the type of practice setting and the average number of patients seen weekly. Include a statement about your ability to manage care for a pediatric population in a remote setting.
   2. Provide the same information about your women's health care experience.
   3. Describe your clinical experience and give a self-assessment of your abilities to care for and stabilize multiple trauma patients prior to a medical evacuation.
   4. Describe a specific complex clinical case which demonstrates your skills in organizing patient problems and solutions.
2. Organizational Abilities: Describe a specific achievement demonstrating your planning and organizational skills in the setting of a multidisciplinary clinical team or practice.
3. Leadership and Teamwork Abilities: Discuss your abilities to participate as a team member working toward a common goal, as well as examples of your ability to lead a team in the accomplishment of a goal.
4. Public Speaking and Teaching Ability: Describe specific examples demonstrating your public speaking and teaching abilities as part of an assignment or work-related task.
5. Interpersonal skills: Provide an example of effectively dealing with difficult patients, colleagues, or situation at work utilizing your interpersonal skills.
6. Crisis Management Skills: Describe an example in which your skills significantly contributed to the positive outcome of a complex or difficult clinical crisis situation.

Evaluations

How Candidates Will Be Evaluated:

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 & INDEMNIFICATION

Applicants are subject to a Medical Credentialing process conducted by the Quality Improvement Staff of the Office 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.

How to Apply

To apply, applicants must first register on USAJOBS at www.usajobs.gov and create an online federal resume. Your online resume must be typed or you may cut and paste an existing resume into the space provided. Once you have completed the registration process, select the "Apply Online" button to the right of the vacancy (https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/394538500). This button will transfer you to Gateway to State. Please note that the deadline to submit completed applications is April 02, 2015.

Follow the "Apply Online" instructions at Gateway to State by answering self-assessment questions for the specific job to which you are applying. When completed, the information you provided at USAJOBS and the answers to the Gateway to State questions will become your application. Your registration, resume, and responses to questions will be used to evaluate your qualifications for this job. In addition, you may need to fax or upload some information to complete your application package.

Please note: Your application is automatically saved as you proceed through it. You may interrupt your application process and return to it until you submit it.

You have until 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on the closing date of this announcement to complete the application process and supply the required documentation outlined in this vacancy announcement. Application packages MUST be complete and received by the closing date to receive consideration.

Due to the volume of applications, fax lines can become jammed and documents may not successfully attach to your application on the final days/hours of the application announcement. IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE CANDIDATE TO VERIFY THAT REQUIRED DOCUMENTS HAVE BEEN SUCCESSFULLY ATTACHED TO THE APPLICATION PRIOR TO THE CLOSING DATE. Applicants can do so by going back into their application and verifying that documents have been attached. Applications received without required documents will be deemed ineligible. You are encouraged to submit your application early and to go back into your application to confirm that your documents have been attached.

TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES

If you are having technical difficulty with the application process, please contact the helpdesk by calling 1-866-656-6830 or by emailing mgshelp@monster.com.

Required Documents

As part of the online application, applicants will be asked to submit the following required documents:

1. Completed Online Questionnaire.
2. Copy of all current professional licenses as a Nurse Practitioner or Physician's Assistant in a state, a territory of the United States, or the District of Columbia.
3. Proof of Board Certification (current national certification as an NP or PA from the American Nurses Credentialing Center/ANCC, American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Program/AANPCP, or the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants/NCCPA).
4. Current Professional Liability Insurance fact sheet.
5. Standard ECFMG certificate (if applicable).
6. Application Form, VA-10-2850 (Complete Items 1 through 17 and 31 through 40). This form can be found on the Department of Veterans Affairs website: Application Form, VA-10-2850. Upon completion you will need to save a copy to upload or print out and fax with the appropriate system generated fax sheet. (All documentation submitted under this vacancy announcement on the Veterans Affairs forms will be reviewed and verified by Department of State personnel ONLY.)

IF prior military service, include all copies of your DD Forms 214 (required).

Applicants claiming preference based on service-connected disability, or based on being the spouse or mother of a disabled or deceased Veteran, must also complete and submit an SF-15, Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference (available at What to Expect Next

Applications will be considered as their completed package arrives in the Department. The Department of State will be hiring a number of candidates. Please note that the average processing time for an application is 8-12 months, including the completion of the credentialing, medical, security and suitability clearances.

Orientation/Training/Assignment:

Newly hired Medical Provider career candidates are initially assigned to Washington, D.C. for a three-week orientation followed by onward training, including a two-day security seminar. Additional training may include language training (depending on the requirements of the first overseas post), area studies (an intensive study of the region of assignment), etc.

Medical Providers are assigned at the FP-3 level. The specific step (or salary) within that level will be determined at the time a firm offer of employment is made.

Current Federal Civil Service employees (or former employees) will also be assigned at the FP-3 level. Specific step (or salary) within the FP-3 level will be set at the nearest possible salary rate of the current (or previous) grade.

Location: Individuals must be willing to serve worldwide. Generally, following a brief orientation period at the Department of State in Washington, D.C., newly hired Foreign Service Medical Providers will serve an initial two year tour at a Foreign Service post overseas, and will usually spend an average of 60 to 80 percent of their careers stationed abroad, moving at two-to-four year intervals. The remainder of their time will basically be spent at the Department of State in Washington, D.C., or Ft. Lauderdale, Florida.

Benefits

Health and medical coverage, federal retirement benefits, generous paid leave, and an unprecedented chance to see the world and experience different cultures. Overseas benefits include paid housing or a housing allowance and paid education for dependent children between K-12.

Additional Benefits: Tax free housing overseas, tax free educational allowance, etc. (See Compensation and Benefits on our website at http://careers.state.gov/work/benefits/fss, for more information.)

Any Foreign Service Specialist hired after October 1, 2013, who demonstrates FSI-tested Arabic language ability, will receive a one-time recruitment bonus.

Other Information

Initial Salary, Salary Increases and Tenure:

The salary for Foreign Service Medical Provider is FP- 3, Step 1 through 14. The starting salary is dependent upon such factors as graduate level education and directly related specialized experience not used to satisfy qualifications criteria. Salary level will be determined at the time of a conditional offer of employment. To be creditable, such education and specialized experience must be in excess of that which is required to qualify as described under Education and Specialized Experience Requirements. Individuals already working in government positions may be appointed based on highest previous rate as a Federal employee and will be determined at the time of a conditional offer of employment. While the hiring of all medical professionals will start at FP-3, Step 1, additional steps may be granted based on the following criteria:

1. Two additional steps may be given for a doctoral degree in a work-related field, awarded before the date of the appointment.
2. One step may be given for a master's degree from an accredited college or university in Public Health.

Foreign Service Medical Providers compete for promotion annually with others in their specialty up to the level of Senior Foreign Service. The Foreign Service career candidate will become eligible for tenure after a minimum of three years of service.

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 may not be granted preference in competing for these employment opportunities.

It is the policy of the Federal Government to treat all of its employees with dignity and respect and to provide a workplace that is free from discrimination whether that 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 of State at ReasonableAccommodations@state.gov within one week of receiving their invitation. Decisions for granting reasonable accommodations are made on a case-by-case basis.

Quick Links

 

[RetNavyPAC]

This is a pretty good gig - for the right person.  My wife and I were both State Department/CIA brats growing up and I think it is true what Twain said about travel being fatal to prejudice.

 

Embassy/consulate communities are very tight/close-knit overseas and there is always something going on (usually at the Marine House on Fridays and the weekends).

 

Like all State/CIA/USAID employees you gotta pay your dues. If you apply thinking that you'll soon be having coffee and an eclair at Café du Trocadéro looking at the Eiffel Tower, you've got several other things coming (including a rude awakening).  My family spent a couple years in Asmara, Ethiopia (now Eritrea), and my wife's family did a couple tours in India and Liberia.

 

But most those places aren't necessarily or automatically sh*tholes.  Once you're esconced in the country and local community, it's just another place to live and you can find plenty to do and see.  I imagine it's even a whole lot easier nowadays rather than the late 60s, 70's and early 80's when we were coming up.  For you kids out there that was back before the Internet, and cheap air travel.

 

The State Dept gig is one I've always kept in my back pocket to apply to in case my job ever went t*ts up.

[EMEDPA]

 

The State Dept gig is one I've always kept in my back pocket to apply to in case my job ever went t*ts up.

yup, me too. Beacon alaska is one of the others. month on/month off solo coverage.

[Maverick87]

How does this all work?

 

Do you join first, then get a location? Is it similar to the military where you get a dream sheet? Would there be anyway to start off in, say, Asia as opposed to Africa?

[EMEDPA]

How does this all work?

 

Do you join first, then get a location? Is it similar to the military where you get a dream sheet? Would there be anyway to start off in, say, Asia as opposed to Africa?

yup, you come up with a list and they go down everyone's lists based on seniority. assignments last 2 years. most folks do africa 1st, then south america or eastern europe, then by round 3 you can start actually getting places close to what you want. if you want london/paris/etc, you probably need to be in 20+ years. I have several friends in now. seems like an easy job, but you also have to do all the routine public health stuff at the embassy, like water quality testing, etc. A buddy of mine says he sees 10 pts/month and has lots of free time at work, even though he has other duties.