Below is a timeline of events regarding my application as a Foreign Service Medical Provider. This is provided as a reference to give individuals an idea of how long the process can take. Even before COVID-19, applying for the Foreign Service as a Generalist or Specialist is a slog, typically taking at least a year, but in some cases, 2 to 3 years. Providers working in the medical field are used to getting job offers thrown at them immediately after applying, so this is fair warning that the government moves at its own pace. In my particular case, it was 20 months from the time the application window closed for me in August 2020, to when I started orientation in April 2022. Buckle in, you might be excited at the prospect of applying and moving abroad, but by the time you actually get the offer, you will have had more than enough time to think about it.
Timeline:
08/04/20 – Applied for the Medical Provider position in the July-August hiring window
08/11/20 – Application status on USAJOBS website updated to notify me my application was referred for additional consideration
10/29/20 – MED HR with the State Department reached out asking for clarification about some part time work I did via email.
01/07/21 – Informed by MED HR that I passed the Qualifications Evaluation Panel, but due to COVID-19, no OA’s were being immediately planned at the time.
05/14/21 – Cold called by State Department, asking if I wanted to take a Virtual Oral Assessment due to a last minute cancellation. Was unable to due to work commitments.
05/25/21 – Called again, asking if I wanted to take a Virtual Oral Assessment due to another last minute cancellation, this time I was off and said yes.
05/27/21 – Completed the two day Virtual Oral Assessment with a passing score of 5.6.
05/28/21 – Received e-QIP invitation to start security clearance process, and Medical Clearance Paperwork. e-QIP was completed and submitted same day.
06/11/21 – Submitted Medical Clearances
06/28/21 – My family and I all received Worldwide Availability on our medical clearances
07/02/21 – Several of my references listed on my e-QIP notify me they have been contacted by the security clearance investigator. A few hours later, he calls me to set up an in person interview.
07/05/21 – Met with State background investigator regarding my security clearance application and e-QIP. Process was very smooth and the investigator was incredibly friendly.
07/07/21 – Background investigator calls again, asking for additional work reference due to one of my old bosses having apparently expired (yikes!). New reference is contacted same day.
01/12/22 – Notified I am on the FS Specialist Register (Top 3rd). I never received confirmation of my security clearance being completed, and never knew I was in Suitability Review. Considering I badgered them every month for updates with no movement even in early January 2022, this was a pleasant surprise. 6 months from security interview to register seems par for the course.
01/24/22 – Received/Accepted invite to April 2022 Joint Orientation. A whole 12 days on the register.
02/08/22 – Received/Accepted Salary Offer (Grade 3 Step 14 for those curious, which is the highest possible level for me to enter at).
02/22/22 – Sent Medical Clearance Paperwork for our newborn daughter (cannot be submitted until a newborn is one month old). Immediately got a confirmation email of their receipt. Figured this info would be useful for anyone wondering how long adding a newborn to your family orders takes.
03/01/22 – Baby daughter received her medical clearance for worldwide availability.
03/07/22 – Recived/Accepted “Final Offer” of employment.
04/11/22 – First day of orientation, combined 164th/210th SOAR and A-100.
05/17/22 – FLAG DAY! First Assignment, Nouakchott, Mauritania.
07/09/22 – First day in Nouakchott, Mauritania!
06/15/23 – FLAG DAY 2.0! Assigned to Peshawar, Pakistan for Summer 2024.
09/01/23 – Whoops…FLAG DAY 2.1! Offered/accepted reassignment to Yangon, Myanmar (Burma) for Summer 2024.