Foreign Service Registered Nurse - Limited Non Career Appointment (RNLNA)

The Bureau of Medical Services (MED) maintains and promotes the health of employees and their eligible family members (EFM) who represent U.S. government (USG) agencies abroad. The Department assigns Foreign Service Medical Specialists, Limited Non-Career Appointment Registered Nurses (RNLNA) to select posts overseas.

Many of these posts have significant health risks and local medical facilities are often inadequate to cope with them. This position is for a Registered Nurse (RN). A Limited Non-Career Appointment (LNA) does not lead to onward employment in the State Department or conversion to another form of employment.

Candidates must be willing to accept assignments based on the needs of the Foreign Service, primarily in high-threat locations. Limited Non-Career Registered Nurses (RNLNA) presently serve at unaccompanied posts in Iraq, Pakistan, and Haiti. Assignments may change at any time based on the needs of the Service.

Family members are not permitted to accompany RNLNAs to post. However, at some locations, adult eligible family members (EFMs) may be approved to accompany the RNLNA to post if they will fill certain mission-critical positions. EFMs must be employed and hired by the mission before traveling to post.

All Medical Specialists working with the Bureau of Medical Services must provide primary care services and counseling to all patients regardless of age, sex, race, ethnicity, national origin, language, disease, disability, or religion.

RNLNA duties include but are not limited to: Maintains a primary care/urgent care clinic by ordering and stocking supplies and performing quality control on all laboratory tests and equipment.

Evaluates and assesses patients within their scope of training, including assessing vital signs, observation, taking a health history, performing physical examination, and performing selected diagnostic testing. Records all findings accurately in the Electronic Health Record (EHR).

Uses Clinical Practice Guidelines (CPGs) and/or collaborates care with Health Unit providers. Other responsibilities include but are not limited to vaccinating patients, dispensing medication, home visits, hospital visits, and responding to compound emergencies and exercises.

Participates in after-hours call responsibilities with other Health Unit members. May need to assist or arrange Medevacs through medical provider direction and coordinate with MED/Foreign Programs or the appropriate Regional Medevac Center.

RNLNAs are considered essential personnel and are on call to provide services 24 hours a day, seven days a week. All LNAs are members of the Foreign Service and have the same obligations and standard of conduct expectations as all Foreign Service employees.

Specialized Experience At the time of application, candidates must have a minimum of five (5) years of experience within the last six (6) years providing direct patient care as a Registered Nurse. Prior military experience or experience with other U.S. agencies working abroad is desirable but not required.

Candidates must be skilled and experienced nurses with excellent interpersonal skills, able to function well within a complex organization, and have experience working in a high-stress environment.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities The Department has conducted extensive job analysis research to determine Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs) and other attributes conducive to successful performance in this position.

A candidate's education level, work experience, and other qualifications will be considered as part of the hiring decision-making process based on these KSA criteria. Serving in support of the employees of the United States Government and their eligible family members, an RNLNA will work in conjunction with other Foreign Service medical personnel.

RNLNA duties include but are not limited to the following: Clinical and Leadership Skills: Must gain the cooperation and confidence of patients, colleagues, supervisors, and subordinates. Ability to teach or lecture groups on medical issues is preferred.

Program Management: Must develop, coordinate, and administer healthcare delivery programs and trainings, including individual and community health promotion and disease prevention. Will communicate with non-medical colleagues and provide guidance to management during crises.

Analytical Skills: Must possess strong analytical and evaluative abilities, including independent learning, complex problem identification, critical thinking, and problem-solving capabilities.

Interpersonal and Intrapersonal Qualities: Must demonstrate a desire to serve others, empathy, compassion, resilience, self-confidence, and convictions aligned with Department interests.

Must show interest in continuous learning, Foreign Service work, and tolerance of on-call demands, emergency situations, intensive worldwide travel, living away from family, and working in difficult or isolated conditions. Communication: Must demonstrate strong command of English with excellent grammar, spelling, and punctuation.

Must communicate clearly and succinctly both orally and in writing. Preferred Experience: Prior military experience or experience with other U.S. agencies working abroad is valuable but not essential.