Foreign Service Regional Medical Officer

Foreign Service Regional Medical Officer

**Duties**:
A 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).
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.
- 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 Responsibilities**
- Maintains 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 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 Response**
- Provides 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 Responsibilities**
- Arranges 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 Employment**:
- Be 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).**
The Bureau of Medical Services (MED)

▶️ Foreign Service Regional Medical Officer
🖊️ US Department of State - Agency Wide
📍 Montevideo