I have heard that some companies (apparently some of the better companies) are very fussy about minor medical conditions.
What is the straight story on this?
What conditions are a problem in addition to high blood pressure?
What companies are being very fussy?
To get a good answer you need to say what you think will be an issue and ask specifically about that.
Back injury, back surgery, psych issues.
AGE and WEIGHT
Actually I’ve heard that even some of the academy guys in their 20’s cannot pass certain company physicals. specifically, ECO was mentioned as being especially fussy — rejecting people that had no problem getting hired almost anywhere else.
If you are over 40 ECO will give you an EKG.
I had a very minor 15(+/-) year old stable/reducible umbilical hernia. Passed 4 or 5 USCG physicals with it. Six different doctors (including 2 surgeons) said there was no reason to have it surgically repaired. It was considered disqualifying by ECO’s Dr… I had surgery on it a coupe of weeks ago just so it won’t be an issue there or anywhere else. If you have had surgery for any reason, make sure you have or can get hold of all the pertinent records, especially if it is recent. And yes you will get an EKG if over 40. I have a friend who was turned down by HOS for a 16 year old minor back injury. If you have ever had back issues they will likely want x-rays and your full treatment history. You will also need a full history for anything like high blood pressure or diabetes, if the condition is well controlled it is not necessarily disqualifying. Good Luck!
Just curious, do they do a regular static EKG, or a Stress EKG (while running on a treadmill)?
[QUOTE=tugsailor;66066]Just curious, do they do a regular static EKG, or a Stress EKG (while running on a treadmill)?[/QUOTE]
Static, they just run a minute or so of tape with you just sitting there.
So far none of that sounds like a problem.
I assume they do a chest xray? Any other xrays? Prostate exam? Do they worry about moles that might become cancerous in the future? Do they do blood and urine lab work? Any other tests beyond the typical USCG physical?
Do they fuss about cholesterol levels?
What about teeth? Do they inspect teeth? Do they expect teeth to be fully maintained, and without any impending need for additional dental work that might subject their dental benefits plan to future claims?
Does this mean any sports related injuries can or will disqualify even an experienced applicant from the larger companies?
I carry a titanium plate between L4 and L5 vertebrae that I earned from my college football days. I have never worked a day on a boat or a ship without it, I have passed all my pre-employment and USCG physicals. I have no symptoms or restrictions.
Would I be wasting my time by even trying?
He will ask for current xrays to be taken by an orthopedic surgeon and then make an evaluation. Like that it is still in place, everything looks good as new, any screws haven’t backed out any, etc.
Then he will send you to his physical therapist for an evaluation. A guy with three fused vertebrae got past all that, you should be fine.
So your advice is to bring new X-rays and evaluation from an ortho with me, that doesn’t sound too bad. I have not seen a doctor for this since my original surgeon released me fifteen years ago. Thanks Capt. Phoenix
I can’t guarantee the report wil have everything he wants, but thats what I would do, especially if you still have insurance.
Is anyone being asked to get back MRIs instead of X-rays? I think they cost about twice as much, but because the imaging quality is so much better some employers are going in that direction.
Just as a side note, I would highly discourage accidentally omitting something from the physical questionnaire. Doing so could result in a loss of future maintenance and cure payments in the event that you do get hurt on the job.
Caldive has their crews go through MRI’s and ECO’s company doc looks at everything, for my high blood pressure I had to go through the hamster wheel at a cardiologists and get ultrasounds and meds and such. Aside from being a royal pain and making me wait in LA for a week with nothing to do they cleared me right after I went in again.
Too bad, ECO sounds like an excellent company other than over doing the medical exams. I don’t think very many guys over 50 would get though all that.
What about the medicals at Gulfmark, HOS, and other companies?
Tidewater denied a friend of mine for having a herniated disc in his lumbar spine. They did an MRI and apparently wasn’t in good enough condition to get cleared.
[QUOTE=“tugsailor;66186”]Too bad, ECO sounds like an excellent company other than over doing the medical exams. I don’t think very many guys over 50 would get though all that.
What about the medicals at Gulfmark, HOS, and other companies?[/QUOTE]
I know a gut who is probably around 55 who had a few fused disks in his neck who got hired by ECO. You can get hired with a lot of problems as long as you disclose them.