If you’ve stumbled onto this page, there’s a chance you already know the answer to what a Medical Provider is within the context of the Foreign Service. However, if you are like me, when researching information about the Foreign Service, I read a lot of blogs and Reddit posts by just about anyone in the Foreign Service, regardless of job, and often it would be a blog of a spouse that is sharing in the journey. The reason for this, specifically with regard to Medical Providers, is there just isn’t any info out there outside of some dated reddit posts, a Foreign Service NP blog that went dark in 2013 (still worth a read), and the State Department website (which has a few Youtube videos that are sort of vague and possibly made in the 80s). Compare this to information for Generalists in the Foreign Service, where there’s info everywhere out there, and tons of people you can ask questions of on sites like Reddit.
Simply stated, Medical Providers are Nurse Practitioners or Physicians Assistants hired by the State Department to provide healthcare to US diplomats and their families abroad. Most embassies and consulates will have a medical unit attached to them, where they provide care, to include primary and acute illness. For example, if I am in Angola, and Ambassador Bob has had a really bad sinus infection for the last 2 weeks, he would likely come visit me in the medical unit, where I would examine him, diagnose, and treat his illness. Medical Providers also serve a diplomatic role in touring host country medical facilities, since often, diplomats might need a higher level of care that can’t be obtained in the embassy unit. They make sure local health resources maintain certain standards, and foster relationships with local physicians to ensure diplomats get the best care possible. If for some reason, a diplomat has an illness that can’t be addressed in the host country, then they also assist in getting that diplomat medevac’d (transported) to another country/location, where care is available to address the issue. This might mean if Consular Officer Janet has appendicitis, but in Zimbabwe, surgical standards are poor, we fly her to South Africa where she can get care similar to that available in the United States.
Medical Providers work in collaboration with the other Medical specialties the State Department hires, such as Physicians and Lab Scientists. Physicians in their role as a Regional Medical Officer will often be designated to one of 30ish countries where they provide the same care in their post, while often overseeing MPs in other countries within the region.
In summary, Medical Providers basically take care of diplomats in embassies all over the world. It is a job that demands a lot of knowledge and flexibility, but rewards those individuals with an opportunity to live around the world, making a US Salary, while having the opportunity to serve your country.
Nick,
Thanks for making a resource like this! I am in NP school now and won’t be done for a couple years. I was curious what field assignments you get stationed in, especially your first couple years. Are you being placed in countries that are on the bottom of the list since you are the new guy. How many years prior experience do you need before you can apply?
Thanks for reading! You need a minimum of 5 years of experience to apply. Your first two assignments are directed but you get some say in where you go. On my bid list were a mix of African posts and some European locations. Other classes have had a mix all over the world. It really just depends on where a need exists.
Hi nick,
Thanks for posting this. Super helpful!
I am a PMHNP. Any opportunities for psychiatric nurse practitioners? I know they have opportunities for regional medical directors who are psychiatrists but I didn’t see anything for a PMHNP.
Thanks
There currently aren’t any positions for PMHNP, but it is definitely something the Bureau has talked about and is entertaining. I think it’s a great idea. Like all things in government though, change comes very slowly.
Thank you for your post. I’m a new PA grad with just 6 months of experience in addiction medicine, but very interested in foreign medical service. How long are the first two assignments? Do you recall Egypt being on the list? ( that is where I’m from and would love to work there) Also, if you’ve served your term in a particular country and would like to serve for an additional term there or become per menant, would that be possible? Thank you!
Egypt is indeed a country with a MED unit. If you are originally from a certain country, there are times when you might be prevented from working there for security reasons. It doesn’t apply to every country. Also if you’re a dual national, many countries won’t recognize you as a diplomat, preventing you from going there.
The first two tours are 2 years in length. It is possible to extend your tour after the entry level tours if you like your country, but it has to be approved and is more likely in harder to staff countries. For example, if you’re in Mauritania, you’re likely allowed to extend your tour easily, but probably not if you’re in Madrid.
There is no way to be permanently stationed in one country. It’s not even possible to be permanently assigned to the U.S. in the Foreign Service, max in one post is 6 years. We are always on the move.
Nick thanks for such a quick response, is you made a great comment some countries having a MED unit. I didn’t realize some countries wouldn’t have a med units, do you know where I could find a list of countries with and without them?
Hi Matt,
Just about every Embassy and Consulate has a MED unit, but not all of them are staffed with a US Direct Hire provider like Medical Providers or Regional Medical Officers. Smaller Embassies or some in places with very robust healthcare systems will often just have a locally hired nurse or physician to help with minor issues and coordinate care in the local system.
There isn’t really a published list for the general public that tells you where we do and don’t have direct hires. We are in nearly 200 locations, so the overwhelming odds are in most countries we have a presence. In places we don’t, a Regional Medical Officer or less often a Medical Provider will do visits and is available for tele-visits.
Thanks Nick for all of your consistent and thorough information, it has made this so much easier in understanding all of this.
I was also curious how strict the State department is on the practitioner experience. I’m coming into the NP role at 30 with 4 years of RN experience, will any of that be counted toward me?
Your RN experience unfortunately does not apply to the experience requirement. The requirements on the website are pretty clear: Minimum of five years clinical experience post NP or PA family practice certification.
It stinks and I was once in your shoes. I learned about the job while finishing up my graduate degree, had 8 years of RN experience, and asked them the same question directly. Unfortunately I had to wait it out, but it was totally worth it.
Thanks again Nick, a couple more questions, do you as a NP also get trained in language the same as a foreign service officer would?
This may be a bit personal, but could you tell me some the places you lived in so far just so I can have a fair/realistic understanding of the places they would send someone?
That’s all good to hear, is there any type of NP experience you would recommend to better prepare for the job?
Hi Matt,
No, we don’t get language training the same way other officers and specialists do. Most posts do have language programs that we are allowed to participate in, but since our job is mostly dealing with Americans, I guess they decided we don’t need language.
If you follow through on my blog, you can see I am currently living in Mauritania, which is my first post. Next year I will learn where my second post will be.
I have a post on my AMA page about what the best experience would be, but briefly, ER, Urgent Care, or a true family practice environment would be preferable. Something where you see all population age groups.
Hope that helps!
Nick,
Thanks so much for the informative post.
I have my FNP but masters prepared. I am starting my DNP Summer 2022. If I apply now, do you know if will get credit for my DNP later in terms of promotion and salaries? Or should i wait to appy until I have my doctorate.
2. Also, how competitive will be my application with the MSN only (without a DNP )?
Thanks.
1. I don’t really think they care much about whether or not you have a DNP. Your work experience weighs much more in terms of salary potential. How you perform on the job and how you’re evaluated by your superior officers determine your promotions. I believe a DNP might give you an extra step or two in salary within the entry grade (03), but if you have a lot of experience in the medical field, or your salary is already high, they will match you to the maximum within grade whether you are MSN or DNP.
2. If you have the minimum 5 years of post graduate experience, apply whenever you want. I only have my MSN and started at the max salary. A DNP would have played 0 roll in my salary determination since I am already capped in grade, and the folks dolling out promotions or rating you have no clue what a DNP is.
If this is something you want, go for it. There’s a good chance that even if you apply by the next window, you might already have completed your DNP. A “fast” candidacy usually takes a year.
Hi Nick, question….i am an AGPCNP….the website specifies FNP do you know if this is a hard requirement? In civilian world it is pretty loose. Also do you know how hard it is to get clearance? I had an issue almost a decade ago with opiate use and did a program and have no issue since. Would this disqualify me?
FNP is a hard requirement. They will toss an application if you don’t meet the minimum.
The opiate issue is likely fine, and I assume you got a DEA license? Clearance investigation looks back 7 years.