Job Discussion Forums

[ruby_silence]

Hey, I'm an ALT with Interac. I'm currently attending the training in Japan and on Friday, we have a health check. This check includes a blood test and urine test (in addition to questions about our medical conditions and prescriptions). When I asked what the blood test was for, the trainer said it was to check our cholesterol. I don't find this believeable. What are they checking for? Is a blood and urine test common when starting your ALT job? I never heard of this until now.

[seklarwia]

I've been with Interac 2 years and never had a blood test.

[jcook77]

At the Tokyo branch, all new ALTs are required to have a health check that includes withdrawal of a blood sample. To the best of my knowledge, the hospital is only checking for serious problems (though cholesterol would qualify if someone's was unusually high). Along with the aforementioned urine sample, a chest x-ray is something all teachers go through as well (tuberculosis check).

It doesn't take long, no more than 30-40 minutes. Necessary or not, it's good to get a clean bill of health along with peace of mind.

[seklarwia]

I'm in the Tokyo branch, too.

I've had two rounds of health checks which consisted of a urine test, chest x-ray, weight, height, eye sight and a short physical examination with some general health questions. In the last one they checked my hearing, too.

But in neither check did they come anywhere near me with a needle.
And I know for certain that this isn't just me. I was one of a group having the health check done at the same time; we were taken as a group by our ICs at our placement.

So is it a new policy or are they doing that because some BOEs are asking for it?

[Glenski]

Maybe Interac is getting on the "metabo" bandwagon. If they can show their employees with metabo reduce their fat content, Interac may get some stimulus package from the government.

If you don't have some serious medical condition or drug problem to hide, I'd say shrug it off and go with it.

[steki47]

I am starting a job with another large ALT company and they also require a medical check. It is included with training (at employee's expense) or can be done on your own at the hospital of your choice.

The recruiter at my new job said that the TB check was one of the most important parts of the medical check. Working with dirty little kids, makes sense.

[mstoffer]

For my company I was allowed to do the check on my own and just have a form filled out. It was a bit expensive in the US but it was nice to be able to do it on my own with my own doctor and not feel like some diseased dirty foreigner or anything. Mine consisted of a urine test, chest x-ray, vision test, hearing test, blood pressure, and general check up. No needles or blood samples were involved. I believe that is all that is required by the Japanese gov.

[ruby_silence]

Thanks, guys. I'll just roll with it.

[lisa111082]

What next, sperm samples? Stomach acid samples?

[move]

I was told I needed a TB test, got it done stateside, got to Japan and they don't ask for it.

[ruby_silence]

Ha. I was told to get one in the US and I did. Brought it here and they told me they have to do their own anyway. $35 bucks down the toilet.

[Mr_Monkey]

This is because Japanese TB is special: it only kills Japanese people.

[wayne432]

i've had it... the whole thing is the standard physical that interac asks alts to get. Go get it, because interac pays for it