Overview
Medical professionals in the federal government deliver healthcare services in federal facilities. They may directly treat patients, perform laboratory work, respond to emergencies or ensure provided care meets regulatory requirements.
Those in the medical field are critical to patients who may have serious medical needs, limited access to healthcare or are part of a vulnerable population. This work is a great fit for those who can adapt to complex environments, are passionate about quality patient care and desire a hands-on approach to public service.
What You Might Work On
In the federal government, professionals in this field often:
- Diagnose and manage conditions, conduct exams, interpret tests and develop treatment plans
- Provide direct patient care through federal facilities, like correctional health centers and public hospitals
- Improve care quality and safety within national health programs
Is This a Good Fit?
While roles and responsibilities vary, you might enjoy this field if you:
- Are interested in hands-on problem solving and evidence-based decision making
- Care about supporting people in crisis
- Enjoy continuous learning and are excited by medical advances
- Communicate clearly under pressure and build trust with others
Job Series Codes
What are job series codes?
In the federal government, most jobs are grouped into “job series” based on the type of work. Each series has a four-digit code (for example, Nurse, 0610).
How to use them:
You can use job series codes to narrow your search on USAJOBS. Start with a keyword (like “program analyst”), then add a series code for more targeted results. Here are a few examples to get you started — there are hundreds of job series codes across the federal government!
| Code | Series / category name | Common keywords | What you’ll do |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0602 | Medical Officer | Physician, Cardiologist, Radiologist, Gastroenterologist | Diagnose and provide treatments to patients in accordance with medical specialty |
| 0610 | Nurse | Registered Nurse, Nurse Manager, Nurse Anesthetist | Provide nursing care to patients and administer medication |
| 0633 | Physical Therapist | Physical Therapist, Clinical Specialist | Help patient improve physical function through exercises, treatments and rehabilitation techniques |
| 0660 | Pharmacist | Pharmacist, Pharmacy Supervisor, Pharmacy Specialist | Dispense medications and advise patients on using them safely and effectively |
| 0682 | Dental Hygiene | Dental Hygienist | Clean teeth and examine patients for oral health issues |
Where You Could Work
The federal government is big — so where do you start?
One approach is to focus on a type of role. Another is to focus on a mission area, or the kind of impact you want to have (i.e., in public health, education, transportation or elsewhere).
Keep in mind: mission areas often span multiple agencies, so you may find relevant roles in places you wouldn’t expect!
Professionals in this field work across many federal agencies depending on mission area, including:
- Occupational health: Smithsonian Institute
- Optometry: Indian Health Service
- Emergency medical response: National Park Service
Sample Positions
Practical Nurse-Community Living Center (0620)
| Employer / agency | Veterans Health Administration |
|---|---|
| Location(s) | Albany, New York |
| Mission context | Licensed Practical Nurses at the Veterans Health Administration provide regular and recurring care to veterans living at the Community Living Center |
In this role, you may:
- Participate in assessing, planning, implementing and evaluating patient care by interviewing patients of variable populations, performing a general systems appraisal of the patient’s condition and collecting objective and subjective data
- Perform support duties for complex diagnostic tests and specialized practices or procedures, which include preparing the patient, assisting in the diagnostic examination, preparing and handling specialized instruments or other specialized equipment and monitoring the patient’s condition before, during and following the procedure
Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist (MRI) (0647)
| Employer / agency | Defense Health Agency |
|---|---|
| Location(s) | Fort Drum, New York |
| Mission context | This role conducts MRIs on Army soldiers at Guthrie Army Health Clinic |
In this role, you may:
- Conduct complex 3D and 2D magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans of the head, spine, extremities and body, ensuring precise image acquisition for diagnostic purposes.
- Instruct patients on procedure methods, safety precautions and risks to having an MRI
Top 10 agencies for this Field
Top 10 Most Common Jobs in this Field
Positions Currently Open on USAJOBS
Browse current federal job openings on USAJOBS and explore opportunities across agencies and career fields. Use the filters to find positions that match your skills, review requirements, and understand how to apply.
301 Results
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Permanent
Supervisory Medical Support Assistant
Veterans Health Administration
- Closes Jul 15, 2026
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Permanent
Physician (Family Medicine)
Military Treatment Facilities under DHA
- Closes Jul 15, 2026
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Permanent
Endocrine and Metabolism Fellow
Veterans Health Administration
- Closes Jul 15, 2026
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Permanent
Physician Assistant
Military Treatment Facilities under DHA
- Closes Jul 15, 2026
-
Permanent
Clinical Nurse Specialist – Hematology/Oncology
Veterans Health Administration
- Closes Jul 15, 2026
-
Temporary
Resources Pool Registered Nurse
Veterans Health Administration
- Closes Jul 15, 2026
-
Permanent
Emergency Department Nurse Manager
Veterans Health Administration
- Closes Jul 15, 2026
-
Permanent
PACT Registered Nurse
Veterans Health Administration
- Closes Jul 15, 2026
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Permanent
Float Pool/Nurse Resource Assistant Nurse Manager
Veterans Health Administration
- Closes Jul 15, 2026
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Permanent
Nurse Practitioner- Psychiatric Mental Health
Veterans Health Administration
- Closes Jul 15, 2026
