When I applied for PC I was well aware that my invitation was contingent upon medical clearance. Now, besides for having a booty that Jason Derulo could write an entire album about, I consider myself a pretty healthy person. Even though I seemed to have had a relatively quick and straight forward clearance process, I still feel like it was a complete run around. Here’s some info for future invitees looking to learn more about what’s to come.
Exactly 200 days before our tentative departure date tasks generated in the medical applicant portal (MAP) for us to begin working on. The tasks are generated based on you age, gender, and your answers that you fill out after accepting your invitation on your health history form (HHF). The link to the HHF is sent immediately after you accept your invitation, so, before answering immediately (like I did) I would recommend sitting down and really thinking about how your going to answer the questions. I didn’t realize it at the time, but the answers you give on the HHF will affect your future more than any other aspect of the application.
Some of the general tasks I was expected to complete were:
- Provide birth control related documents
- Provide a PAP smear cytology report
- Sign the health history positive response form
- Reported medication verification form
- Have your physician complete the physical examination form
- Have your dentist complete the dental exam form
- Copy of vaccine records
- Complete your signed medical care compliance form
- Complete and provide varicella proof of immunity form
- Complete and provide the MMR proof of immunity form
- Provide the lab work as outlined in your physical examination form
- Provide dental x-rays as outlined in your dental examination
- Complete and provide the tetanus and diphtheria proof of immunity form
- Complete and provide the yellow fever proof of immunity form
- Complete and provide proof of polio immunity
- G6PD lab test
- Mental health personal statement
When I first looked at this I almost had a heart attack because it was a lot to take in. I recommend printing off everything (an entire rainforest) so you have a hard copy to take with you to the provider and you can see what you’re working with. Make appointments early. There are so many fine details that your provider has to fill out perfectly before PC will accept the form for review. I was meticulous in looking things over before, during, and after my visits, but I still had to make a couple of trips back. Upload your documents as they’re completed.
You will be assigned one nurse specific to you who will help you get through your tasks. Some people in my group had their nurse immediately and he or she cleared tasks as they were uploaded. I didn’t receive a nurse until many days after everything was uploaded. Some people didn’t get a nurse until weeks afterwards. Don’t get impatient. There seems to be little consistency in how medical clearance is completed, so a positive attitude will make all the difference. Your nurse will be your point of contact for any medical questions from that point on.
For me, getting my nurse marked the beginning of the waiting game. Waiting for medical clearance took months, and made me sick. People in my group began getting clearances, some began getting turned away, and some of us received task after task after task to complete for follow up evaluation. For those of you searching for information as to what will disqualify you for service, I am no expert. However, the people in our group overwhelmingly seemed to get denied if they had mental health treatment within the last two years. This even includes well-being counseling. We do know that you are required to show a period of stability for 2 or more years. Many of us found this to be very frustrating because mental health is so subjective. As for advice, I would recommend only putting the absolutely crucial and required points of interest on your HHF. When you’re completing your tasks, I promise you’ll thank me. The good news is if you are denied you can appeal, however, only one girl in my group was able to successfully appeal.
Eventually, and anticlimactically, I got my clearance that I was fit to serve for Peace Corps!
The Traveling Spud 