Foreign Service Regional Medical Officer

The Bureau of Medical Services (MED) in the Department of State maintains and promotes the health and well-being of America’s diplomatic community who represent a wide range of United States government agencies abroad.

The Department assigns Foreign Service Regional Medical Laboratory Scientists (RMLS), Regional Medical Officers (RMOs), Regional Medical Officer Psychiatrists (RMOPs), and Medical Providers (MPs) to selected posts overseas. Many of these posts have significant health risks and local medical care that is inadequate by U.S. standards.

DutiesA Regional Medical Officer (RMO) works either independently or as a member of a team of FS Medical Specialists to provide medical support for USG employees and their eligible family members (EFMs). *Please note that this is an overseas assignment after completing orientation and initial training in Washington, D.C.*

An RMO is considered “essential personnel” and is expected to be available on-call 24 hours a day, seven days a week. RMOs duties may include, but are not limited to:

Clinical Responsibilities

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.Provides direct primary and preventive healthcare for pediatric, obstetric, and adult patients, including emergency and acute care services.Performs patient histories and physical examinations.Orders and analyses diagnostic tests.Prescribes medications.Performs therapeutic procedures within the scope of primary and emergency care.Administers routine, seasonal, travel, and service-related vaccines.Coordinates telemedicine consultations. Coordinates inpatient care and monitoring of patients hospitalized in region.Provides/oversees occupational health services for all staff members.Acts as patient advocate when needed.Arranges 24-hour care when necessary.Manages infectious disease risks, especially malaria and other tropical diseases.Advises on disease prevention, especially regional diseases.Responds to allegations of abuse.Perform sexual assault examinations.Serves as forensics subject matter expert in case of death.Collaborates with the regional medical officer/psychiatrist (these are psychiatrists also employed by DOS).Ensures safe blood supply for critical care/trauma management.Teaches basic life support.Reviews local pharmacies, pharmaceutical manufacturers, doctors, laboratories, and hospitals.Provides occupational health care.Promotes healthy adjustment to lifestyle and culture for Diplomats and family members.Establishes wellness and lifestyle programs.Maintains personal credentials, licensure, and continuing medical education.Reports adverse actions, claims, or licensure issues to the governing office within the Department (Office of Quality Management).Capable of assessing and caring for all people equitably without regard to ableness, gender, sexual orientation, race, or other potential biases in order to provide the same standard of care to all patients.

Administrative ResponsibilitiesMaintains and preserves appropriate medical documentation, including full use of electronic health records and other systems.Maintains scrupulous attention to privacy and confidentiality. Supervises and supports regional health unit professionals.Hires, manages, and supervises local employees.Maintains an inventory of supplies, including overseeing controlled substances.Communicates regularly with the Embassy/Consulate community and its leadership.Ensures universal precautions and all OSHA-required lab standards.Provides consultation to other medical staff.Develops training programs for health unit staff and other Embassy/Consulate staff members as required.Sets budget priorities.Ensures food and water safety; including facility inspections when indicated.

Coordinating Emergency Medical ResponseProvides medical leadership in crises.Provides emergency medical care.Advises post leadership in crises.Coordinates Embassy/Consulate’s epidemic medical response.Serves on emergency action committee.Updates the emergency action plan.Ensures emergency preparedness.

Embassy or State Department-Specific ResponsibilitiesArranges 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.Performs 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 EmploymentBe 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).

Qualifications

Licensure and Board Certification

Applicants must be currently board-certified in Family Practice (preferred) or Internal Medicine or Emergency Medicine (accepted) by the American Board of Medical Specialties or Osteopathic Board. American Board certification and re-certification, state medical licensure, and Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) registration must be maintained for the duration of employment. Once hired, applicants will be required to obtain and maintain a District of Columbia license.Specialized Experience

Applicants must have a minimum of five (5) years of full-time post-residency clinical experience within the past seven (7) years, in providing primary care to adults, children, and infants, with at least 75% of the time involved in direct patient care. Otherwise, qualified clinicians who have practiced primarily emergency medicine, hospital-based practice, or other non-ambulatory settings must demonstrate a 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 primary care physician utilizes and coordinates sub-specialty professional consultations when needed.Essential Physical Requirements

The most important physical requirements of the job are: speaking, hearing, vision, mental endurance, tolerance for extreme environmental conditions, physical endurance, dexterity, and mobility.

RMOs may need to perform essential functions effectively 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, bending and twisting in tight and limited spaces.Traveling independently to posts utilizing commercial air carriers, military aircraft, or other transportation types that may not offer special access or accommodations.Provision of emergency care in any location following an accident, natural disaster, or attack 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.

• Please note that this is an overseas assignment after completing orientation and initial training in Washington, D.C.*