At what point would a medical DQ occur? Prior to the background, during, or after?

[macteam]

In the research I've been conducting, I think there's a strong possiblity that I will be DQ'd on medical grounds. At what point are medical records reviewed? Is it prior to having all of my employers (including my current employer) contacted and interviewed? I'm kinda hoping it is, because I'd really like the agencies to examine this medical issue first and make a call on whether it's a DQ prior to my boss finding out that I'm thinking of leaving (which I'd rather she didn't find out, to be honest, unless I'm really far in the process and the medical issue has been adjudicated.) I'd like to stay working at my current job if the feds don't work out for me, and having my boss notified would all but screw that idea up.

Any ideas?

[Piggy]

It may depend on the agency. My experience has been that usually the medical will take place. Assuming you are going for some type of Federal Agent position, the background process may not start until you are actually hired. The background process will not include any medical testing, and will only cover previous mental health treatment.

One of my co-workers is testing for a USMS position. He just went through the medical and has been given a conditional offer, but the BI hasn't been started yet.

The medical testing can usually be done in less than a day. The background process is expensive and time consuming so they will want to get that taken care of first.

[Citicop]

I don't know how the Feds do it, but every local background I have ever been involved in (on either side) has made the call to the current job the LAST thing they do before the offer for just that reason.

[macteam]

Thanks for the info, Piggy and Citicop.

So the background investigation doesn't involve medical records? I thought the medical records were obtained and then the agency doctor took a look to see if there were any problems. Or does the agency doctor basically conduct their own medical screening? (I guess though that me having a bad cold five years ago and other really minor medical stuff isn't a huge deal killer, so I can see why my family doctor's medical records might not be that much use.)

My sudden medical concern is that I was exercising and think I might have re-damaged my knee - it feels kinda bad/weird. I did have knee surgery once before, and if it doesn't clear up on its own with rest and stuff like that, I can see myself having surgery again - the symptoms are the same. I'd like the agency to review this first, just to make sure that it's cool with them before they start their hardcore background investigation.

(Oh, and one more thing. "Checking the oil" seems to be a common phrase when it comes to medical exams. I think I know what that entails - something to do with a gloved finger and my bottom. What age do they start "checking the oil"? I'm currently a "virgin" as far as that goes, and was hoping to keep it that way until I turn 50 and the regular doc decides that I'm "ready".)

[nyctrainer8]

For what it's worth, the USMS COMPLETED my medical (including putting me on review to get more info from doctors) before my background was started. I don't remember medical issues coming up once the background started. And, for what it's worth, the medical I took didn't include any "oil checks." Hope that helps.

[JohnMarcus]

For what it's worth, the USMS COMPLETED my medical (including putting me on review to get more info from doctors) before my background was started. I don't remember medical issues coming up once the background started. And, for what it's worth, the medical I took didn't include any "oil checks." Hope that helps.

Whew, thats good to know. I have mine tomorrow, and I got all scared for a minute.

[SemperFiVet]

If any of you all have ever been in the military, is this a thorough exam like the one you received at MEPS, or one more like an annual routine physical clearing your way to play football or get an insurance policy?

When you go through the required medical exam, I assume they will ask you then if you have any other conditions that may affect your ability to perform the job of an 1811, or at least review previous medical records before hand and/or want to see your records at that time?

[Kimble]

If any of you all have ever been in the military, is this a thorough exam like the one you received at MEPS, or one more like an annual routine physical clearing your way to play football or get an insurance policy?

Having gone through both (MEPS physical and federal LE physical), the two are fairly similar (though we did the "duck walk" during MEPS, but not for the fed medical). Also, just like MEPS, count on a lot of waiting time between examinations.

[SemperFiVet]

Having gone through both (MEPS physical and federal LE physical), the two are fairly similar (though we did the "duck walk" during MEPS, but not for the fed medical). Also, just like MEPS, count on a lot of waiting time between examinations.

Is it a civilian doctor or a Federal facility, it's not actually MEPS is it?! (A zero four thirty wake up in a roach motel for a zero five thirty show time for maybe a zero eight hundred indoc! Hurry up and wait, recruit! :D Hahaha!)

Do you bring your med records with you, or say specifically a letter from a specialist saying that he believes any medical condition that you may have is otherwise permissible for an 1811 per the OPM guidelines, or how does that work? Just kind of wondering when to go about getting the information ready, the VA health care system doesn't always move at the drop of a hat.

[Kimble]

Is it a civilian doctor or a Federal facility, it's not actually MEPS is it?! (A zero four thirty wake up in a roach motel for a zero five thirty show time for maybe a zero eight hundred indoc! Hurry up and wait, recruit! :D Hahaha!)

LoL... I forgot about the "roach motel" until you just said that, I was bunked up with an Army recruit that was a pretty cool guy, but damn that place was rancid!

No, you will likely go to a civilian doctor (though it could be a federal/military doctor if there are no civilian doctors in your areas that are "fed approved"), and I think I got there around 0800/0900'ish.

Do you bring your med records with you, or say specifically a letter from a specialist saying that he believes any medical condition that you may have is otherwise permissible for an 1811 per the OPM guidelines, or how does that work? Just kind of wondering when to go about getting the information ready, the VA health care system doesn't always move at the drop of a hat.

Get in touch with your agency's Applicant Coordinator for further guidance, but with my agency, I just showed up with a blank standard federal med exam form, which they filled in with my exam results. I don't recall bringing in any additional medical records when I did my medical exam.