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johntpartee
Joined: 02 Mar 2010 Posts: 3258
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Posted: Tue Dec 21, 2010 8:24 am Post subject: Anybody ever been axed because of medical? |
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I recently got my health card renewed. My blood pressure was a lot higher than the last two times I took it (148/92) and my "T wave" was low. I think the BP was up partly because I tanked up on coffee before I went in (before you tell me how stupid that was, the FAO came and got me on the spur of the moment to take the exam). The whole thing is a mystery to me because I feel better now than at any time since I've been in China. So, anyway, anybody have any experience with "iffy" test results? |
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johntpartee
Joined: 02 Mar 2010 Posts: 3258
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Posted: Wed Dec 22, 2010 9:33 pm Post subject: |
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bump |
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El Chupacabra
Joined: 22 Jul 2009 Posts: 378 Location: Kwangchow
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Posted: Tue Dec 28, 2010 3:36 pm Post subject: |
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They've been letting me carry around a gallstone for the last couple of years. Perhaps they are more concerned with social diseases. I dunno. |
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johntpartee
Joined: 02 Mar 2010 Posts: 3258
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Posted: Tue Dec 28, 2010 4:27 pm Post subject: |
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That was my thinking (AIDS; STD's in general). From what I've been able to ascertain on my own (Googling), the low "T wave" is not in itself an indicator of poor health, and high blood pressure is easily managed, but the mere fact that they have seen fit to take note of these "abnormalities" gives me pause about my employability. |
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El Chupacabra
Joined: 22 Jul 2009 Posts: 378 Location: Kwangchow
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Posted: Wed Dec 29, 2010 5:11 am Post subject: |
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johntpartee wrote: |
That was my thinking (AIDS; STD's in general). From what I've been able to ascertain on my own (Googling), the low "T wave" is not in itself an indicator of poor health, and high blood pressure is easily managed, but the mere fact that they have seen fit to take note of these "abnormalities" gives me pause about my employability. |
I'm not sure how much the health certificate really matters. Mine expired while in my current post, and the waiban said we don't need to renew it.
I had a high BP reading on one of my health certificates too. I also learned about so many things wrong with me, like fatty liver and gallstones. While they may not affect our employability, I rather like the modern facilities they use to get multiple tests done in less than one day. The card has become a handy reference for my own health monitoring, so I'm a little disappointed they didn't send me back for a renewal.
As you've noted, blood pressure can be all over the map in a single day. If you wish to track it, you can get a sphygmamometer from a pharmacy. |
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daCabbie

Joined: 02 Sep 2007 Posts: 244
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Posted: Wed Dec 29, 2010 9:16 am Post subject: |
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I wouldn't worry about it. I used to work with a guy who had open heart surgery. He had the Frankenstien staple marks and a big scar down the center of his chest and they always passed him.
I have never heard of anyone directly let go because of the medical. But if you are on the fence with your employeer then they might use it as a reason to not hire you, very unlikely.
Considering the general health of all the Ft's in China I would't think this is high on the list of concerns for the school. I have known many an alcoholic, overweight and road worn-chain smoking teachers to get hired in China.
I wonder if they make FAO's and administrators at these schools take the same physical. Most of them would have a hard time prooving they are healthy. |
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johntpartee
Joined: 02 Mar 2010 Posts: 3258
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Posted: Wed Dec 29, 2010 9:33 am Post subject: |
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Considering the general health of all the Ft's in China |
That never occurred to me; that is a good yardstick. Mostly the weight. Those folks' blood pressure must be sky high. |
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The Edge
Joined: 04 Sep 2010 Posts: 455 Location: China
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Posted: Wed Dec 29, 2010 11:27 am Post subject: |
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What's a medical?  |
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Big Poppa Pump
Joined: 28 May 2010 Posts: 167
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Posted: Wed Dec 29, 2010 1:14 pm Post subject: |
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I passed a medical while under the influence.
ok not really, but I probably could have. I've always gotten astonished glances from the doctor after the behold the glory that is the hairy monster called Big Poppa Pump.
That and my 5 tattoos.
Along with my beer gut.
And huge feet.
And head like a king sized bowling ball.
Actually, based on appearances alone I'm not sure why they've even classified me as human.
Must be my witty charm and stunning (feral) smile (snarl). |
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Kiwi303
Joined: 20 Nov 2010 Posts: 165 Location: Chong Qing Jiao Tong Da Xue, Xue Fu Da Dao, Nan An Qu, Chong Qing Shi, P. R China
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Posted: Thu Dec 30, 2010 12:12 am Post subject: |
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Frankly, given what I have read here and on other forums, I wouldn't be worrying overmuch about the medical results if you are at a good school.
But if you are at a BAD school, I would be worrying about the scenario of being called tot he managers office three or four days before term end and being told you are being let go for medical reasons, and since you haven't been able to finish the year, no end of year bonus or flight allowance payable, bye bye. |
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frenchfrydoggy
Joined: 16 Nov 2010 Posts: 53
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Posted: Thu Dec 30, 2010 1:27 am Post subject: |
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If you have specific medical issues that cannot be managed here, then go home.
Use the internet and government sources to find out the official medical maladies that forbid legal employment in China - the list is quite limited.
Anyone firing you for other medical conditions is illegal and you have full legal recourse for wrongful termination - yes, even in China.
Then again, also be smart enough to go pick up your medical exam results yourself and give the school ONLY the summary which shows the medically required visa tests and not the physical exam results, etc.
Use some common sense here. |
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johntpartee
Joined: 02 Mar 2010 Posts: 3258
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Posted: Thu Dec 30, 2010 4:14 am Post subject: |
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Quote: |
Use the internet and government sources to find out the official medical maladies that forbid legal employment in China - the list is quite limited |
Do you know? If so, how about posting it? |
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El Chupacabra
Joined: 22 Jul 2009 Posts: 378 Location: Kwangchow
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Posted: Thu Dec 30, 2010 7:33 am Post subject: |
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frenchfrydoggy wrote: |
If you have specific medical issues that cannot be managed here, then go home.
Use the internet and government sources to find out the official medical maladies that forbid legal employment in China - the list is quite limited.
Anyone firing you for other medical conditions is illegal and you have full legal recourse for wrongful termination - yes, even in China.
Then again, also be smart enough to go pick up your medical exam results yourself and give the school ONLY the summary which shows the medically required visa tests and not the physical exam results, etc.
Use some common sense here. |
Full recourse, in China, is usually more like full intercourse.
Apparently, not all schools require the medical exam results. As I commented earlier, my waishiban doesn't care. How many waishiban's really need this document? Perhaps it is requisite for initial employment only? Or for the visa? |
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johntpartee
Joined: 02 Mar 2010 Posts: 3258
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Posted: Thu Dec 30, 2010 7:40 am Post subject: |
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Everywhere I've been in China, the Health Card is required to renew the resident permit. |
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El Chupacabra
Joined: 22 Jul 2009 Posts: 378 Location: Kwangchow
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Posted: Thu Dec 30, 2010 8:42 am Post subject: |
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johntpartee wrote: |
Everywhere I've been in China, the Health Card is required to renew the resident permit. |
That explains a couple of things then. First, the waishiban only cares to satisfy the government regs; ie. securing a residence permit. Second, the waishiban probably cares nothing about what's actually on your card.
In my case, the waishiban is saving the physical exam fee by postponing it until the next contract renewal. |
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