Korean Job Discussion Forums

[nimrand]

I have high blood pressure. It runs on both sides of my family, but its well under control with medication (I test it regularly and its right where it should be). I spoke with a recruiter a while back, and he made a big deal of it when I told him. He said that when I go into my health screening that I must not have any medication in my system whatsoever, so I would have to stop taking the medication long enough to get it out of my system before the checkup. However, this seems like bad advice. For starters, if I go off the medication, my blood pressure will be high and the doctor will be certain to notice this. Secondly, I can't imagine why the doctor would fail me for having blood pressure medications in my system, since that's exactly what I'm supposed to have in my system to keep me healthy. It's not like those medications would erroneously show up as a narcotic or anything (I can verify this with my doctor, but I'm pretty sure that would never happen with these meds). Also, I've read about other's health screenings where they showed the doctor the medications they were taking (including anti-depressants, even) and it didn't cause a problem, so the recruiter's advice doesn't really jive. I think the recruiter might have just been paranoid, because some doctors might look for any reason to fail you, but per my first point above I don't think stopping the medication for a week would help matters in that regard.

Now, I'm currently in a new workout program to get in better shape. Its quite possible that I wont even need the medication by the time I get to Korea, as there's only 15 pounds difference between where I am now and where I was the last time I was off the medication. So, it might be a moot point, but I wanted to make sure I wasn't missing something regard the health screening.

[Scorpion]

The recruiter is wrong. High blood pressure medication will not show up on a blood test. Ne need to stop taking it. I have taken it for years, never a problem. Just don't tell them you are taking medication for it. When they ask you if you are on any medication the answer is always 'no'. Also do not mention it on your job application. I did once and lost the job.

Take the medication, just keep that information to yourself.

You will not have any problem.

[nimrand]

Yeah, sadly my EPIK application got rejected after having the interview with EPIK interviewer, probably for that very reason. Oh well, I can aways apply for the Spring 2014 intake.

[lemak]

recruiters can barely be trusted at the best of times.

certainly don't take their advice when it comes to medical issues.

many of us have had medication in our systems and have "passed" the checks just fine.

don't jeopardize your health at the misguided word of some scumbag out to make himself a buck at your expense.

[philthor]

I don't know enough about the various types of bp medicine to say yours will or won't show up, but mine didn't cause any problems. I take metoprolol and passed fine.

[Skippy]

I think the recruiter was more thinking of not taking medication that can cause a false positive for drug usage. Like some pain killers or ADD drugs. My recommendation is continue on your medication if it is known to NOT cause a false positive on a 5 panel drug test. When you go for the test, bring in your prescription and actual drug. Just mention to the doctor who is doing the test of what you are taking.

Also the recruiter is trying to cover his ass. If after all the WORK he went to lie to you and getting you to accept some cruddy job offers, it could all fall through if you are refused a job because of a drug/medication issue. He would rather have you die of a heart attack (?) then lose out on his fee.

SKIPPY'S RULE OF RECRUITERS Number (NOT DECIDED)
Recruiters are in it only for themselves.

Also, remember to answer NO for all question in your health screening questionnaire aka IQ test. Unless you have a serious health problem do not answer yes to be honest.

[young_clinton]

[nimrand]

From what I've read since that time, it wouldn't be the first time an application was rejected on that basis. But, it's impossible to say. My application will be stronger the next time around, in any case.