Medical Provider (MP) Job Listing at U.S. Department of State in Washington, DC (Job ID 2787934-2024-05-01)

Description

Job Description and 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

• 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.

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 meet the appropriate Foreign Service Minimum Medical Qualifications.
• Be able to obtain a favorable Suitability Review Panel determination.**
• Be at least 20 years old to apply; at least 21 years old to be appointed.
• Be appointed prior to age 60 (preference eligible veterans accepted).***

Requirements

• Candidates must be able to obtain and maintain national security eligibility.
• Diploma from accredited Physician Assistant (PA) program with a minimum of a Masters 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; or,
• Equivalent degree from a foreign school that provided educational and medical knowledge equivalent to accredited schools in the U.S.
• Minimum of five years clinical experience post PA family practice certification.
• 75% of the PA's time must be involved in direct primary care for at least four out of the last five years.
• Currently licensed as s 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 PA-equivalent from the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants.