The U.S. Department of State is developing a rank-ordered list of eligible hires for a limited number of Registered Nurse Limited Non-Career Appointment (RNLNA) positions. Learn more about Foreign Service careers at https://careers.state.gov. There is more to joining the Foreign Service than just salary. Refer to the Benefits section for more information on total compensation.
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.
At the time of application, the candidate must possess: At minimum, an Associate's degree from an accredited Nursing Program. Education from a program or institution within the United States must be accredited at the time of program completion by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Foreign Education Foreign education acquired outside of any state of the U.S., the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, a Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, or any territory or possession of the U.S. must be evaluated by a member organization of one of the two national associations of credential evaluation services (NACES or AICE) to be given credit towards qualification.
The accredited interpretation must include the summary and the foreign education transcripts. The Department of State will not accept foreign education transcripts that have not been evaluated by a credential evaluation service and will terminate the candidacy. For further information on the evaluation of foreign education, please refer to the Office of Personnel Management, Foreign Education section, and the U.S. Department of Education. The U.S.
Department of State neither endorses nor recommends any individual evaluation service. OPM: www.opm.gov U.S. Department of Education: http://www.ed.gov Please refer to the Required Documents section on how to submit the required educational documentation for this position. Licensure and Certification Current and active license as a Registered Nurse in a state, the District of Columbia, or a territory of the United States.
Active and current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification is required.
Benefits include health and medical coverage, federal retirement benefits, and paid leave. Not all benefits are available to LNA positions. Student Loan Repayment and Language Incentive Pay (if language is a hiring prerequisite) programs are not included under the LNA program. The salary range listed is extracted from the Foreign Service Overseas pay scales.
The starting step is determined in part by the highest education level achieved and specialized experience beyond minimum qualifications. Individuals already working in government positions may be appointed based on their highest previous rate as a federal employee. Continuing Medical Education (CME) The Department of State provides expenses for obtaining CME credit hours.
Full federal benefits details →
RNLNAvacancyinfo@state.gov · 000-000-0000
This position is with Department of State Headquarters, Department of State.
The posted pay range is $82450 – $121080/yr.
This position requires a Top Secret security clearance.
Applications close on 2026-09-18.
This is a Full-time position.
This position is open under the 'Public' hiring path.
Source: USAJOBS.gov — U.S. Federal Government
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