You are in possession of a foreign passport. The clearance exam may also be done at the Department of State Exam Clinic in Washington DC for those over 6 years of age. The Foreign Affairs Information Technology (FAIT) Fellowship is not only a unique opportunity for highly qualified, diverse college students to receive academic funding, internships and mentorship from the U.S. Department of State it is also a path to your career in the Foreign Service. A missing signature will delay the medical clearance review process. Misuse of Information Technology Systems, DEVGRU: 7 things you didnt know about SEAL Team 6, Security Clearance Background Investigation Questionnaire, 20 Health Conditions That May Disqualify You From Military, Single Scope Background Investigation (SSBI), military treats mental health very seriously, Military Hearing Requirements and Disqualifications, List Of 9 Army Patches And Their Meanings, Army Sharpshooter Badge: 6 Things To Know, confidential security clearance disqualifers, top secret security clearance disqualifiers, 12 Military Drones Employed By The US Military, How to Switch From Reserves to Active Duty, Army Service Ribbon (ASR): 5 Things To Know, Army Commendation Medal (ARCOM): 8 Things To Know, Emotional, Mental, and Personality Disorders. Employees subject to the six- or eight-year rule must work with their CDOs to make a request for a waiver by completing the attached 6/8 waiver request form. The major difference is that some areas of your record may not get scrutinized as closely as someone applying for top-secret security clearance. If an employee wishes to contest a decision they may contact the Medical Review Panel (MRP) at [email protected] and a review will be convened by a three-physician panel. g. Separation (Class 9): Issued to employees and eligible family members following separation from States Medical Program. All Rights Reserved. All blanks need to be filled in. There are numerous posts where conditions appear similar to that of the U.S. but which also suffer from some of these restrictive characteristics. All personnel and their EFMs who have been issued a medical clearance in the past must update their clearance prior to departure for a new overseas assignment. linked assignment for both current and linked assignment. The Department of State has identified certain posts as Employee Self-Certification and Ability to Perform in Emergencies (ESCAPE) posts. The Committee reserves the right to seek MEDs opinion when it deems such opinion is necessary for proper adjudication of the request, consistent with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and implementing regulations at 45 C.F.R. Current or history of any abnormality of the eye or adnexa which threatens vision or . Confidential security clearance disqualifiers include careful examinations of the following: A periodic reinvestigation (PR) into your character and record is required every 15 years for confidential security clearance. The medical clearance exam may be completed for you and your family members by a licensed medical provider of your choice. The point of contact in MED is the Chief of Domestic Programs ([email protected]), who will relay the request to the appropriate office or person in MED and return a formal recommendation to the CDO or Committee, as appropriate. Schools are often closed during American summer months, so the process needs to start well before the end of the school year for children with educational issues. Employees of other Government agencies, contractors, fellows and Eligible Family Members (EFMs) and do not need to meet this worldwide availability requirement on their first overseas assignment. Since youll be serving overseas as a Foreign Service Specialist after successfully completing the FAIT Fellowship program, youll need to be able to obtain and maintain a worldwide (Class One) medical clearance. Obtaining security clearance is required to make sure you are eligible to access national security information. Foreign Service (FS) or to be eligible for tenure as a career Foreign Service Officer (FSO); 2) When a Class 2 post-specific medical clearance is sought for an assignment by an FSO; or 3) When a Class 2 post-specific medical clearance is sought for a non-career appointment overseas and the individual has exhausted all appeal opportunities MED or Employee Consultation Services (ECS) statement of support or non-support, as appropriate, should be included in all waivers based on limited medical clearances or on compassionate grounds. The following information will help explain the pre-employment/pre-assignment process. After it is determined you need some form of military clearance, like secret security clearance, the government has you fill out a Security Clearance Background Investigation Questionnaire. The purpose of a medical clearance is to identify specific health needs and medical conditions that may require specialty management, follow-up or monitoring. However, everyone makes mistakes which means if you can prove youve learned from your past and your current track record is much stronger you could receive a waiver. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Rob V. is the founder of OperationMilitaryKids.org. All foreign reports must be in English or translated into English. (CT:MED-41; 03-07-2019) Obtaining any form of military security clearance demonstrates that the military trusts you with sensitive information even if you need extra clearance for classified information. Requests for a 6/8 waiver where neither the employee nor a family member has any special physical or mental health condition that would require the Bureau of Medical Services (MEDs) expertise may be considered by the Committee without MED input. If a person is not Worldwide Available, MED Clearances will issue a Post Specific (Class 2) with a list of approved countries or a Domestic Only (Class 5) medical clearance for those whose care is best only with a domestic assignment. February 27, 2023 . All prospective employees and their family members should understand that principle before pursuing a career in the Foreign Service. Reasons for a Separation or Retirement Exam. The Department of Defense conducts a thorough background check to see if you qualify for one of the levels of clearance. All personnel must update their medical clearance prior to departure for a new overseas assignment. Medical Clearance Notices will be sent to your e-mail address you place on your form. The healthcare provider must print or stamp their name, as well as sign and date page 4. While the questions are personal they are basically just making sure you dont show signs of sexual behavior that is criminal in nature. All I know is that FS has a pretty thorough medical clearance process. Your CDO or agency HR will send your list to MED Clearances. Please return to "Start Here" to click on the steps to a medical clearance that best fits your status and overseas assignment. If you are going on TDY, indicate if you are CONUS-based, any possible ESCAPE posts you may travel to, and estimated duration of your TDY. Such clearances may only be issued to candidates whom the Office of Medical Services deems able to serve at the most isolated and restricted overseas posts. As soon as you are selected for the Fellowship, the Department of State will request that you complete and submit an application within about two weeks. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. Related Article Military Dental Requirements and Disqualifications. You served another country in the military. For example, if an individual needs to routinely see a neurologist or an English-speaking speech therapist or attend a school capable of supporting a dyslexic child there are posts he or she can be assigned to, but many other posts that do not have neurology, speech therapy and appropriate schools. This reduces the need for medical travel due to lack of local health resources and limits the number of curtailments for pre-existing medical conditions. These individuals must receive a Worldwide Available (Class 1 Clearance) based on their pre-employment medical exam. Related Article DEVGRU: 7 things you didnt know about SEAL Team 6. They are reminded that they must update their clearance before their next overseas assignment. One that might be a problem with some folks is having family members that have a substantial financial interest in another country or foreign-owned business. A missing signature will delay the medical clearance review process. This includes those who retire/separate, move to another agency, divorce an FSO, or age out of the MED program at age 21 years. The military treats mental health very seriously so making the military, in general, is an achievement, much less gaining security clearance. Medical providers (examiners) should check the box if the individual is fit or is not fit to work in the conditions stated on page 1 of the, moving from one overseas assignment to another overseas assignment, moving from a domestic assignment to a new overseas assignment, on TDY overseas for more than 30 consecutive days, taking language or extended CONUS training the clearance is for the assigned post after language training. Worldwide Available (Class 1): Issued to applicants, employees and eligible family members who have no identifiable medical conditions that would limit assignment abroad. For information on how to schedule an appointment with the Exam Clinic, contact. Consult the Medical Capabilities database and alternatively consult with post directly. Keep original documents for your permanent files. In evaluating suitability, the Suitability Review Panel takes into consideration the following factors: More information about clearances can be found at https://careers.state.gov/work/foreign-service/specialist/information-management-specialist-selection-process/. 1 views . The three levels of personnel clearance in the military are confidential, secret, and top-secret. The following employees, contractors and EFMs should not use a MCU: New employees (including newly hired EFMs), those switching agencies, any person not currently assigned to or has a valid TDY clearance for an ESCAPE post, separating from the Foreign Service, and new REA/WAEs. Employees or eligible family members with a Class 5 medical clearance may not be assigned outside the United States. Mental incompetence determined by a mental health professional. Emotional, Mental, and Personality Disorders, 12. Alcohol is a substance that some people are able to handle and control better than others. A DS-3057: Medical Clearance Update (MCU) is the preferred method of renewing a medical clearance. Clearly print the persons name on each page submitted to Medical Records. However, for some individuals with on-going medical, mental health or educational issues adequate medical resources may not be available in all countries. There are different types of security clearance, including Confidential, Secret, and Top Secret. Include the Medical Records coversheet. This brief, two page document requires does not require a physical exam. The misuse of information technology systems is a fairly new addition to the background investigation with growing technology as well as the advent of social media. All individuals going to these posts must meet strict medical standards. extending at an ESCAPE post, the MCU (plus, any individual who has had a new medical condition that may affect their medical clearance at the posting they are currently at or will be posted to. Submit internal consults or reach out to you for additional data, as needed. Getting reports from specialists, hospitals, therapist and schools is time consuming. Many Foreign Service posts are located in remote areas with extremely limited medical support. Do not travel to your next overseas assignment without a valid medical clearance. After the questionnaire is completed its sent through a National Agency Check (NAC) and Local Agency Check. Once employee obtains verification of ICASS medical program participation, submit the signed: 3308.5: Institutional Contractor ICASS Verification Form, The healthcare provider should review all yes answers on page 2 of the. the State Department denied Dara Katz the medical clearance she needed to qualify for an . Medical reports do not need to be submitted with your initial medical clearance forms, be aware that Medical Clearances may require reports from providers, medical facilities or schools for anyone with significant past medical, mental health, or special educational needs. Some posts could face extreme isolation due to limited air and other transportation services, and unreliable Internet, telecommunications and postal and delivery systems. If you're thinking of a career as a government agent, beware of the 5 automatic disqualifiers for security clearances. All employees including Locally Employed Staff, contractors and Eligible Family Members who will be posted to a designated ESCAPE posts for 30 or more consecutive days are required to obtain a medical clearance. Financial problems that are related to gambling, alcoholism, or drug abuse also are security concerns. Reasonable doubt as to loyalty to the U.S. Government. If you shuttle between two ESCAPE posts, especially Baghdad and Erbil, please indicate both. The time needed for security clearance determination processing varies depending on a number of factors. The security clearance process involves a comprehensive background investigation, conducted by the U.S. Department of State in cooperation with other federal, state, and local agencies. Such requests should be submitted no earlier than May prior to the new bidding cycle and no later than 30 days prior to the bid due date. All items listed in the physical exam section on page 3 must be completed by the medical provider (examiner). Medical Clearances will not clear an individual to go to a post that does not have adequate resources for that person. Individuals with Post Specific (Class 2) medical clearances must be approved for their post of assignment. Submit your completed forms and other medical reports to Medical Records: Send via email to [email protected] (preferred) Due to political instability, security could be a concern. Additionally, a Single Scope Background Investigation (SSBI) is conducted for top-secret clearance applicants. Document rationale for Post Approvals and/or Disapprovals. 10. Allergies must also be reviewed. Any recent drug involvement is frowned upon heavily. All persons must undergo a full physical exam for their first medical clearance. The medical examination performed at the time of separation from the Medical Program serves to identify medical conditions that may have developed during service abroad. If the examination/evaluation is not completed within 90 days, the individual will be issued a Class 8 clearance and will not be eligible for the Medical Program abroad. Youll be asked to submit fingerprints to the Departments Bureau of Diplomatic Security as the first step in the security clearance process. There are several extra steps involved in bidding on overseas jobs if you or one of your Eligible Family Members (EFM) has a Post Specific (Class 2) Medical Clearance. A DS-3057: Medical Clearance Update (MCU) is the preferred method of renewing a medical clearance. It is your clearance. The medical clearance process is designed to identify on-going medical, mental health, or special educational issues for which adequate resources may not be available at a specific post. Foreign Service Officer Candidates and EFMs of one of the 5 Foreign Affairs Agencies1, Limited Non-Career Appointees, Contractors, Civil Service, Locally Employed Staff, Personnel from Non-Foreign Service Government Agencies, and EFMs. Exam Clinic Option: Appointments for separation or retirement examinations are available at Department of State Exam Clinic. Advisory Commission on Public Diplomacy. The employee, contractor, LE Staff, or EFM must provide a full explanation of all answers checked Yes on page 2. The Suitability Review Panel has the authority to terminate your candidacy. Please return to Start Here to click on the steps to a medical clearance that best fits your status and overseas assignment. Do NOT submit your bids to MED Clearances. So before you apply to the program, you should be aware of the clearances that you must be able to obtain and maintain to stay in the program. Persons who are not an ESCAPE post at the time of their medical clearance renewal must complete the below documents: Employees and their EFMs of one of the 5 Foreign Service Agencies: Employees, LE Staff, Contractors, and EFMs who are non-Foreign Service Personnel: Submit all medical documentation to Medical Records. The medical clearances often take a couple of weeks, although the process can be longer depending on the situation. All foreign reports must be in English or translated into English. Please be sure that the name, DOB, and email address are all printed clearly. Overseas Screening. While many employees are excellent colleagues, the Department has its fair share of bad bosses and nasty coworkers. All required tests on page 4 of the DS-6561 or DS-1843 should be performed within the last 12 months. Outside activities also get analyzed by the Department of Defense. ESCAPE posts have limited medical capabilities and personal security risks. Patients can arrange appointments on personal travel, during R&R, home leave or other government funded travel when services are not available at the post of assignment. There may be no health unit at the post and next to no local medical facilities. The investigation wants to check your paper trail and interview employers, coworkers, neighbors, associates, and acquaintances to make sure you are an upstanding citizen. The medical examination performed at the time of separation from the Medical Program serves to identify medical conditions that may have developed during service abroad. The following in-service employees, contractors and EFMs are required to update their medical clearance and can use the MCU form: The following employees, contractors and EFMs must under-go a complete physical and should complete either a DS 1843: Medical History and Examination Form Over 12 Years of Age or a DS-1622: Medical History and Examination for Children Age 11 and Younger . For example, if an individual needs an English speaking speech therapist, there are many posts he or she can go to, but many others that would not have that resource. The following conditions may disqualify you for military service: a. The Six-Year Rule. The attainment of U.S. foreign policy objectives depends substantially on the confidence of the public (both American and foreign) in the individuals selected to serve in the Foreign Service. When to Start the In-Service Clearance Process. Pertinent sections of the Department of State Human Resources SOP A-04 state: The Foreign Service Act of 1980, as amended, 22 U.S.C.3901 et seq., requires all Foreign Service employees to serve a substantial portion of their careers overseas and limits the number of years Foreign Service employees can spend in continuous domestic assignments.