PSNI Recruitment - Stage 4 - The Medical

carlty888 · 27-07-2008 8:06pm

belfastard wrote: »

3 weeks after your ac pass letter you will recieve your med invitation letter? am i right ?

Afraid not.

If you are lucky enough to receive an invitation to a medical, you will have roughly three weeks in which to fill in a medical questionaire and get it signed by your GP. You bring this (completed) form with you to the medical and hand it over to the examining doctor.

MrFug · 28-07-2008 3:20pm

Can anyone shed any light on what the medical questionaire asks?

Is it General medical questions dealing with serious medical conditions, asthma, depression etc or does it probe a little deeper and ask about prescriptions for a certain period, recent surgery, emergency treatment etc?

carlty888 · 28-07-2008 3:55pm

MrFug wrote: »

Can anyone shed any light on what the medical questionaire asks?

Is it General medical questions dealing with serious medical conditions, asthma, depression etc or does it probe a little deeper and ask about prescriptions for a certain period, recent surgery, emergency treatment etc?

It's mostly general stuff. Have you had the following...... If yes please give details. It asks about conditions, illnesses, injuries, the treatments prescribed and where prescribed.

pb999 · 28-07-2008 5:18pm

3 weeks from you get your letter inviting you to medical

as carlty says its standard stuff, just a load of yes/no boxes to tick covering everything, a wee bit for you to detail any specialists of consultations you've had e.g laser eye surgery and then your doc puts your injection record down and signs it

pb999 · 06-08-2008 7:30pm

anyone heard anything about medical dates yet???

belfastard · 06-08-2008 7:45pm

not yet,id imagine 3 or 4 weeks.just goin by what it said on the pass letter mate

PEGGYSUE'S MAMA · 06-08-2008 11:07pm

Hi, newbie poster here.... just got my pass letter today, only did my AC last Tues. Am so pleased, this is my dream job, had laser surgery and everything as I failed my medical last time (5 years ago on account of my blindness!). Can anyone advise me how long does it take after the medical for everything to fall into place? I have a very lovely holiday booked in Jan 09, really don't want to miss out if I am successful!

Any responses would be greatly appreciated

MrsGeneHunt · 07-08-2008 10:38am

PEGGYSUE'S MAMA wrote: »

Hi, newbie poster here.... just got my pass letter today, only did my AC last Tues. Am so pleased, this is my dream job, had laser surgery and everything as I failed my medical last time (5 years ago on account of my blindness!). Can anyone advise me how long does it take after the medical for everything to fall into place? I have a very lovely holiday booked in Jan 09, really don't want to miss out if I am successful!

Any responses would be greatly appreciated

Theres no hard and fast rule, there are guys in Garnerville now who started this week, who have EXCELLENT merit placings and only got the call for august. Considering the process started in June last year!
Vetting seems to cause delays and theres no way round it.
Have you got your vetting forms?

Chris86 · 07-08-2008 11:15am

hey folks, just wondering if anyone is in the same position as myself.

i have passed my AC and vetting and am just waiting for the medical date.

also is there an interview board to face?

a few people have said about it but I can't find any info on it soim not sure wheter there there used to be one or if there still is.

MrsGeneHunt · 07-08-2008 11:23am

Chris86 wrote: »

hey folks, just wondering if anyone is in the same position as myself.

i have passed my AC and vetting and am just waiting for the medical date.

also is there an interview board to face?

a few people have said about it but I can't find any info on it soim not sure wheter there there used to be one or if there still is.

How do you know you've passed your vetting? Is this for C13 or C14?

Chris86 · 07-08-2008 11:28am

I'm pretty sure i got a letter saying that was successful with the vetting, although im not sure about the AC, i just presumed I had passed it due to getting the vetting forms. I'm in work at the min so will have to double check when i get home at lunch.

Also not sure which group it was with. I applied in march.

PapaYankeeGirl · 07-08-2008 11:32am

Did you receive vetting forms?
Did you receive a letter saying you had passed your AC?

As far as im aware you're not told you have passed vetting unless you ring up

MrsGeneHunt · 07-08-2008 11:38am

Chris86 wrote: »

I'm pretty sure i got a letter saying that was successful with the vetting, although im not sure about the AC, i just presumed I had passed it due to getting the vetting forms. I'm in work at the min so will have to double check when i get home at lunch.

Also not sure which group it was with. I applied in march.

If you applied in March you are in C14. And its highly unlikely you've received a letter saying you've passed vetting but we will be interested to have that clarified!:D

PEGGYSUE'S MAMA · 07-08-2008 12:08pm

MrsGeneHunt wrote: »

Theres no hard and fast rule, there are guys in Garnerville now who started this week, who have EXCELLENT merit placings and only got the call for august. Considering the process started in June last year!
Vetting seems to cause delays and theres no way round it.
Have you got your vetting forms?

hi,

No, no vetting forms yet, only had my ac last Tues, couldn't believe I heard so quickly. Hubby is in for C14 as well, he did his ac mid-june, found out about 3 weeks ago he had passed, no forms for him either, he is already vetted anyway on account of his current job, i have been previously but it has likely expired, don't know if that makes any difference, prob not! Consensia guy at the ac commented that there seems to be no rhyme nor reason as to who gets the vetting forms when.

All just a waiting game I suppose, used to that though! Reading the boards last night though I am a bit worried about the finance thing, we have a sizeable enough mortgage, car & personal loan and credit cards, am sh****ng it that that may go against me, have never defaulted on any payments, been late with the old cards once or twice, but then noone is perfect!

Chris86 · 07-08-2008 12:59pm

ok am home now. just reading over what i recieved it says 'you have successfully completed the assessment centre stage of the recruitment process'

so my bad i guess! thought i had another tick in the box:(

back to waiting then

MrsGeneHunt · 07-08-2008 2:26pm

PEGGYSUE'S MAMA wrote: »

hi,

No, no vetting forms yet, only had my ac last Tues, couldn't believe I heard so quickly. Hubby is in for C14 as well, he did his ac mid-june, found out about 3 weeks ago he had passed, no forms for him either, he is already vetted anyway on account of his current job, i have been previously but it has likely expired, don't know if that makes any difference, prob not! Consensia guy at the ac commented that there seems to be no rhyme nor reason as to who gets the vetting forms when.

All just a waiting game I suppose, used to that though! Reading the boards last night though I am a bit worried about the finance thing, we have a sizeable enough mortgage, car & personal loan and credit cards, am sh****ng it that that may go against me, have never defaulted on any payments, been late with the old cards once or twice, but then noone is perfect!

No previous Vetting counts. You get vetted again from scratch.
Whilst there doesnt seem to be any real method to the vetting general consensus is that higher scorers at AC may be getting theirs first.
But again we are all just thinkiing out loud.
Wouldnt worry about the credit thing as long as theres no CCJs defaults or bankruptcies you'll be fine.
Its you Uncle Bin Laden I'd be concerned about:D LOL

PEGGYSUE'S MAMA · 07-08-2008 3:04pm

Do any of you think me finding out that I have passed after such a short space of time is an indicator of anything? Did my ac on 29th july got a letter dated the 4th aug (did my IST middle of june)... am not so good when it comes to not knowing what happens, sounds like this is going to be one long drawn out fun-filled process, lol!:)

owen1976 · 07-08-2008 4:10pm

PEGGYSUE'S MAMA wrote: »

Do any of you think me finding out that I have passed after such a short space of time is an indicator of anything? Did my ac on 29th july got a letter dated the 4th aug (did my IST middle of june)... am not so good when it comes to not knowing what happens, sounds like this is going to be one long drawn out fun-filled process, lol!:)

Sorry to disappoint but I would think all it indicates is you passed your AC. Have you got your vetting forms yet?
The system of recuitment isn't very clear you never really know where you stand or how your doing until you get you merit number. Even then its not for sure!!!

carlty888 · 07-08-2008 4:30pm

Can someone please explain defaults to me?
Are these different to missed payments?

PEGGYSUE'S MAMA · 07-08-2008 4:46pm

carlty888 wrote: »

Can someone please explain defaults to me?
Are these different to missed payments?

I think a default is when payments on a credit agreement, be it a loan, card or mortgage, are missed more than once, say 3 months in a row, if it was just once then i think it is classed as being in arrears. May differ depending on who or what the "debt" is owed to though.

PapaYankeeGirl · 07-08-2008 6:41pm

Hey,

I dont mean to be a bitch but this is the medical thread you are on. Maybe you could set up a seperate 'debts' thread or just use the 'vetting' or 'any worries thread'. Thanks.

All the best:)

WEE SCOT · 15-08-2008 1:52pm

owen1976 wrote: »

Sorry to disappoint but I would think all it indicates is you passed your AC. Have you got your vetting forms yet?
The system of recuitment isn't very clear you never really know where you stand or how your doing until you get you merit number. Even then its not for sure!!!

I appear to be in same boat - did my AC early July - got vetting forms 2 weeks later. Who knows. Have been told not to expect AC score until November.

belfastard · 17-08-2008 9:25pm

there is going to be a hair sample taken at the medical?l usually keep a shaved head.figure i should maybe let it grow?

pb999 · 17-08-2008 9:27pm

there was no hair sample taken when i did med for c13, just urine sample

belfastard · 17-08-2008 10:00pm

i thought i seen some where about a hair sample.if not i guess i can keep it short and neat still lol

pb999 · 18-08-2008 2:43pm

i know that they take hair samples for english forces, and they may do for garda, but the dont for psni, or at least they didnt with me.

MrsGeneHunt · 18-08-2008 4:18pm

pb999 wrote: »

i know that they take hair samples for english forces, and they may do for garda, but the dont for psni, or at least they didnt with me.

It did say somewhere about the hair thing being introduced this year for drug testing.

The only thing they'll find in mine is peroxide....:o

belfastard · 18-08-2008 5:34pm

yeah i thought i read it somewhere myself.maybe ill grow the mane just to be safe!

pb999 · 18-08-2008 7:35pm

apparently in the english forces, if you're bald up top, they take it from down below! :eek:

MrsGeneHunt · 18-08-2008 7:38pm

pb999 wrote: »

apparently in the english forces, if you're bald up top, they take it from down below! :eek:

ROTFLMAO

They'll be plucking your pubes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:eek:

Thats the best thing I have heard all day, I was having a crap one that has cheered me right up!!!!!:D

PapaYankeeGirl · 18-08-2008 7:51pm

Hate to spoil the fun MGH of the thought of the good old 'slap heads' getting the short and curlys plucked. I looked at the sheet that i think came with the vetting forms (maybe it was AC pass letter) and it says pubic hair would not be used:D:D

They say a "sample" means- and I quote;

(a) a sample of hair, other than pubic, complete with roots;
(b) saliva; or
(c) a swab taken from the mouth

So good news for all you baldies:)

faceman08 · 18-08-2008 8:39pm

does anyone know how strict they are when testing you Body Mass Index?

I have always been very fit and into my sports, however, over the last year ive put on a little bit of weight. personally i wouldnt say im overweight but my current BMI tells me that i am.

Recently ive got back into training so hopefully by the time the medical comes around, if i even get called for one, i should be ok.

i suppose im just wanting to know if there is a strict cut-off or is there any leeway given?

MrsGeneHunt · 18-08-2008 8:59pm

faceman08 wrote: »

does anyone know how strict they are when testing you Body Mass Index?

I have always been very fit and into my sports, however, over the last year ive put on a little bit of weight. personally i wouldnt say im overweight but my current BMI tells me that i am.

Recently ive got back into training so hopefully by the time the medical comes around, if i even get called for one, i should be ok.

i suppose im just wanting to know if there is a strict cut-off or is there any leeway given?

I do knowthat in C13 a guy failed his medical due to BMI - he got it reversed on appeal, they had taken his height incorrectly.
There seems to be tremendous emphasis on fitness, personally I wouldnt risk it and would try to get it down in the event that you get called for medical.
BMI is a load of poo anyway, anyone who trains with weights will have a higher BMI due to being more muscle and it weighing more.:rolleyes:

pb999 · 18-08-2008 9:07pm

i failed medical in c13 on body composition, they test your bmi, if it is over 30 they hook you up to a wee machine that tests your bodyfat %, so you can have a bmi over 30 however your bodyfat must be within acceptable ranges (mine wasn't). if for example you play rugby, lift alot of weights, you are going to be more muscular than average, it saves hassle if you can get your bmi below 30, but bodyfat% is the key indicator.

keeponrunnin · 19-08-2008 11:54am

I failed med in c13 on body composition, as my bmi was above 30. I appealed with a doctor's letter, and was given the opportunity to do the pca at garnerville, under a time of 3mins 43 secs. I made 4 errors during the circuit, and finished just marginally outside the time.

There were others who were in a similiar boat to me, and it's worthwhile bearing in mind that the time alloted is the time that Student Officers need to beat in order to graduate from College. So there are ways of showing that you are fit to do the job, but getting your bmi down to below 30 is the best option.

We got a good look around garnerville too!

pb999 · 19-08-2008 5:51pm

keeponrunnin wrote: »

I failed med in c13 on body composition, as my bmi was above 30. I appealed with a doctor's letter, and was given the opportunity to do the pca at garnerville, under a time of 3mins 43 secs. I made 4 errors during the circuit, and finished just marginally outside the time.

There were others who were in a similiar boat to me, and it's worthwhile bearing in mind that the time alloted is the time that Student Officers need to beat in order to graduate from College. So there are ways of showing that you are fit to do the job, but getting your bmi down to below 30 is the best option.

We got a good look around garnerville too!

yeah a mate of mine was in the same boat and appealed and did the pca but also failed it. tbh i didnt feel right about appealing as i knew myself my weight and bodyfat was too high and wanted to get it off. As said getting down below 30 is the option with the least hassle and risk.

faceman08 · 19-08-2008 5:56pm

keeponrunnin wrote: »

I failed med in c13 on body composition, as my bmi was above 30. I appealed with a doctor's letter, and was given the opportunity to do the pca at garnerville, under a time of 3mins 43 secs. I made 4 errors during the circuit, and finished just marginally outside the time.

There were others who were in a similiar boat to me, and it's worthwhile bearing in mind that the time alloted is the time that Student Officers need to beat in order to graduate from College. So there are ways of showing that you are fit to do the job, but getting your bmi down to below 30 is the best option.

We got a good look around garnerville too!

I presume the fail mark is 30 then??

At the moment im around 28, so hopefully should be ok. thats not to say i wont be hitting the gym in the meantime.

Thanks for your responses

New Recruit · 19-08-2008 6:42pm

Yep you need to have a BMI below 30 to avoid the body fat calculator being brought out. When I did my medical my BMI was 27 and there was no problems.

The most difficult part of the medical for me was the hearing test, I was told afterwards that I had perfect hearing, but when they put on the headphones, I thought they where defective the tones where so low. So don't fret and start pressing the button at will, just press it when you actually do hear the tone.

pb999 · 19-08-2008 8:38pm

and dont look at the dots in the soundproof booth, they will make you very dizzy and nausious!!:p

Jason Clerkin · 20-08-2008 11:07pm

It says on sheet that Consensia sent that Fingerprints and Samples are for candidates who are selected for entry to training as Police Officers Patrol/Probationer so doubt this will happen at the medical stage. Only if you are succesful in being selected for Training!

Does anyone know how long after vetting forms are sent do the medicals happen? Is the time frame the same/different for everyone, by how long ago you done A/C, Does it go by the merit pool etc..?

inspector71 · 21-08-2008 11:46am

Jason Clerkin wrote: »

Does anyone know how long after vetting forms are sent do the medicals happen? Is the time frame the same/different for everyone, by how long ago you done A/C, Does it go by the merit pool etc..?

As far as i know, they won't be inviting anyone to their medical until their vetting has cleared. I don't know if they even process the vetting if the merit score ain't close enough though.

smyff · 21-08-2008 2:41pm

ohhhhh nooooo. stripping down will be the worst bit for me if i get to that stage. afro nips on the go.

Jason Clerkin · 21-08-2008 3:55pm

inspector71 wrote: »

As far as i know, they won't be inviting anyone to their medical until their vetting has cleared. I don't know if they even process the vetting if the merit score ain't close enough though.

Cool. Thanks for your help Inspector71. Someone in c13 had there medical within a month of receiving Vetting forms last year though. Doubt Vetting would of cleared that quick. Is it different this year?

MrsGeneHunt · 21-08-2008 4:46pm

Jason Clerkin wrote: »

Cool. Thanks for your help Inspector71. Someone in c13 had there medical within a month of receiving Vetting forms last year though. Doubt Vetting would of cleared that quick. Is it different this year?

I think I know who you're referring to, sometimes vetting can clear very quickly, treat that candidate as the exception rather than the rule:D

Jason Clerkin · 21-08-2008 6:21pm

Thanks MGH. So Medical = Passed Vetting. Would make sense really, saving on cost and all that jazz...

New Recruit · 21-08-2008 7:32pm

Sorry to blow another theory out of the water, but I passed my Medical in March and didn't clear Vetting until June....

pmk · 21-08-2008 7:33pm

Medical does not mean passed vetting. Not for c13 anyway. Passed my medical in Nov and my vetting is still ongoing at the minute.

MrsGeneHunt · 21-08-2008 8:08pm

pmk wrote: »

Medical does not mean passed vetting. Not for c13 anyway. Passed my medical in Nov and my vetting is still ongoing at the minute.

Not for C13 being the key phrase there. All change for C14 it seems!:rolleyes:

carlty888 · 21-08-2008 8:26pm

MrsGeneHunt wrote: »

I think I know who you're referring to, sometimes vetting can clear very quickly, treat that candidate as the exception rather than the rule:D

I think Jason's reffering to me.

I sent my vetting forms back at the end of November and had my medical in mid-December. There was no way my vetting had been completed at this stage.

C14 seems to be working slightly different to C13, so you never know, you might have to wait for your vetting to clear before being offered a medical.

Jason Clerkin · 21-08-2008 11:24pm

Yeah I was mate

PSNI Recruitment - Stage 4 - The Medical

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