Medical and Health

“We safeguard the health and well-being of America’s diplomatic community.”

The U.S. Department of State provides a 10% recruitment bonus for all Foreign Service Medical Specialist positions. The recruitment bonus is given at the time of hire. After one year of service,  Medical Providers, Regional Medical Officers, and Regional Medical Officers/Psychiatrists are eligible for the annual 10% retention incentive.

The Bureau of Medical Services maintains and promotes the health of diplomats and their family members who represent U.S. government agencies abroad. The U.S. Department of State assigns Foreign Service Medical Specialists to select posts overseas. Many of these posts have significant health risks and local medical facilities are often inadequate to cope with them. Foreign Service Medical Specialists provide primary and preventive health care services across the lifespan; engage in diplomatic responsibilities; direct health unit administrative functions; coordinate emergency medical response duties; and accomplish regional management duties.

This bureau has more than 200 clinicians working in over 170 countries, supported by 11 medical and administrative offices in Washington, D.C., and abroad. No matter which professional, academic or personal path you have taken in life, you can turn your unique perspectives and medical skills into an exciting public service career.

Medical Specialists:

Our certified Family Nurse Practitioners and Physician Assistants provide primary, acute and emergency care to U.S. government employees and their eligible family members abroad. Medical Providers spend about 80 percent of their careers abroad, generally in austere or remote countries and relocate every 2-4 years. Medical Providers receive AMA PRA Category 1 credits each year through Department of State-sponsored CME programs.

Regional Medical Laboratory Scientists provide invaluable support to medical units for U.S. government medical specialists, employees, and eligible family members. Responsibilities include managing laboratories at assigned posts in a given region, providing technical consulting and performing competency assessments, evaluating quality assurance, and implementing health/safety programs for laboratories and post populations. Regional Medical Laboratory Scientists receive continuing education credits by attending national laboratory CME programs each year.

These board-certified physicians provide primary medical, acute and emergency care to U.S. government employees and their eligible family members abroad. Regional Medical Officers are required to travel throughout assigned regions. Benefits include an annual Physicians Comparability Allowance (PCA) of $14,000 to $30,000. Regional Medical Officers also receive AMA PRA Category 1 credits each year through Department of State-sponsored CME programs.

Regional Medical Officers Psychiatrists are board-certified and provide primary psychiatric care to U.S. government employees and their eligible family members abroad. Regional Medical Officers Psychiatrists are required to travel extensively throughout assigned regions. Benefits include an annual Physicians Comparability Allowance (PCA) of $14,000 to $30,000. Regional Medical Officers Psychiatrists also receive continuing education credits each year through Department of State-sponsored CME programs.

Limited Non-Career Appointments:

RN LNAs are responsible for U.S. Department of State medical and safety policies, provision of a range of medical services, and the actual performance of all of the following essential functions in addition to routine medical care.

Licensed Clinical Social Worker LNAs will have multifaceted responsibilities in the Embassy which includes but is not limited to the assessment of psychiatric issues, conflict resolution, consultation on violence in the workplace, and crisis management training.

Medical Specialist (Protective) LNAs serve as paramedics providing direct patient care as an integral part of the security and medical teams in U.S. embassies overseas.

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Bureau of Medical Services Brochure
Foreign Service Specialist Assessment Information Guide

Position Descriptions – Medical Specialists

Person IconMedical Provider – Family Nurse Practitioner/Physician Assistant
Person IconRegional Medical Laboratory Scientist
Person IconRegional Medical Officer
Person IconRegional Medical Officer Psychiatrist

Position Descriptions – Limited Non-Career Appointments (LNAs)

Person IconRegistered Nurse
Person IconLicensed Clinical Social Worker (SWLNA)
Person IconLimited Non-career Appointment (LNA) Medical Specialist (Protective)