Clearance Information
Security
All candidates for employment must obtain a minimum of a Secret security clearance from the Diplomatic Security Service (DSS). Even if the candidate has previously held a government security clearance or still holds one, the candidate must complete a Questionnaire for National Security Positions (SF-86), a credit/consumer report release form, and two sets of fingerprint cards for adjudication by DSS. Full disclosure and candor is imperative when completing this paperwork.
Medical Clearance for Assignment to Iraq
All employees permanently assigned to Iraq under Chief of Mission authority and working for agencies that participate in the Department of State Medical Program are required to have a medical clearance from the State Department's Office of Medical Services before departure to post. Employees whose medical clearance is current (defined as issued within 2 years or tour of duty overseas) are asked to complete a Medical Clearance Update form (DS-3057) and submit it to MED/Clearances. These individuals may request an optional early full physical clearance exam.
Employees and applicants who do not have a current medical clearance must have a physical examination and have this evaluated by Medical Clearances. The purpose of a medical clearance is to identify health needs and medical conditions that may require specialty management, follow-up or monitoring or could be prone to exacerbation in certain environments. If one does not have an unlimited (Class 1) medical clearance, there must be further post approval for Iraq. This is required in order to ensure that medical conditions can be properly monitored and managed. Medical clearances are based on an individual assessment of the needs of each employee or candidate in light of his or her particular medical history and status.
Iraq entails some unique medical challenges. Travel in and out of Iraq is physically demanding. The trip may take several days and uses military aircraft. Personnel must wear heavy body armor and helmets, and carry all of their own luggage over long distances. During the summer months this is all done in extreme heat. Medical resources are limited to the primary care services provided by the Embassy Health Unit staffed by Department of State clinicians and nurses. (The U.S. military hospital provides lifesaving care to those wounded by hostilities and its personnel and material resources must be prioritized to that goal.) There are few if any medical specialists available for consultations (e.g., cardiologists, pulmonologists, endocrinologists). Mental health needs for diagnosed conditions may be very difficult to manage. Lab tests are limited; for example, lipid profiles, uric acid testing for gout, etc are not done in Baghdad. Blood levels of specific medications cannot be followed. Some medications, such as many types of insulin, are not available locally, so if one is taking insulin and would need to change types of insulin or refill it, this would not be possible. Furthermore, if one needs to be medically evacuated, this process can take considerable time.
The following immunizations are recommended but none are mandatory:
- Hepatitis A
- Hepatitis B
- Influenza
- Measles
- Rubella
- Polio
- Tetanus and Diphtheria
- Typhoid
- Meningococcal
- Rabies pre-exposure
- Anthrax (allowing at least 6 weeks before departure)
- Smallpox (allowing at least 2 weeks before departure)
Employees are strongly encouraged to participate in the voluntary DNA identification program. Blood samples are kept at the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology repository. Samples may be collected in State's MED clinic/laboratory or at overseas U.S. Mission Health Units.
Ethics
Employees must receive an ethics clearance, which requires completing and executing the Executive Branch Public Financial Disclosure Form (SF-278) and reading/signing the Government Ethics Guidance and Acknowledgement of Ethics Guidance Review. Ethics clearances are required to help ensure that employees do not violate, or participate in any actions creating the appearance that they are violating the law or standards governing ethical conduct for employees of the Executive Branch. A Termination Financial Disclosure Report must be completed upon your departure from ITAO. The Federal ethics and conflict of interest laws and regulations are important tools intended to foster public confidence in government.
