work physical

Anonymous

September 24,2023 at 3:02PM UTC

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work physical

I recently posted on here three weeks ago about getting a job offer at my local hospital as a customer service representative in patient financial services. I passed my background check went for my pre employment physical at their occupational health facility and while there took my drug test, eye exam etc. when the actual nurse practitioner came into my room she did my vitals and my blood pressure was high. Well I have a history of that since 2006 and she put me on a different dose of medication. Since a week ago I have been monitoring my readings at home for about a week and have to go tomorrow to get it checked by her since she has to have paperwork to HR by 3:00 on Wednesday. She said if BP is normal then she would clear me and I am supposed to start orientation on Oct 2nd. I really want this position but seems to be a little hindrance due to the fact just because of my blood pressure. Just debating if it is worth it or not feels like a runaround.

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AnonymousSeptember 24,2023 at 3:07PM UTC
I don't think there is anything nefarious going on here, just due diligence to make sure you are healthy enough to do the job. If your blood pressure has been fine at home on the new dose, going in with high anxiety is likely to cause it to go up when you have it taken at the follow-up, so try to relax, especially do some deep breathing exercises.
AnonymousSeptember 24,2023 at 3:09PM UTC
No harm in trying. If you don't pass you're back to where you'd be anyway.
AnonymousSeptember 24,2023 at 4:14PM UTC
Blood pressure for background check?
I may be naive but I didn't think that was an issue for a CS rep. I can see it being an issue for a truck driver (DOT regulation,) I thought it was drug testing and possibly Covid vaccine proof. I working financials and they wanted my credit score.
Learn something every day!!
I agree that this situation alone would make your BP go up - mine would!! Go ahead and return
The worst that can happen is they say no.
AnonymousSeptember 24,2023 at 7:13PM UTC
It is SOP for people who work in hospitals that have any chance of interacting with or coming close to patients (custodial people also). COVID-19 only made this more of an issue now than before. I agree that a high BP is hardly a reason to delay an onboard, depending on how high it was, but that may be part of the SOP now regardless of whether or not someone may be contagious. I went through the full panel of titers and immunizations when I worked in a hospital in 2008-9 as a chaplain.
AnonymousSeptember 24,2023 at 8:08PM UTC
That makes sense. I had no idea!!!
JMSeptember 26,2023 at 1:31PM UTC
Covid and vaccines and contagious viruses are fair to put on the table before working with vulnerable populations, but It is not uncommon for blood pressure to rise and blood sugar to get wonky (just as examples) as people age, even when you have a healthy life-style. Many medical conditions are hereditary and folks are genetically predisposed. This seems like a slippery slope towards all kinds of workplace discrimination and it makes me very concerned about the potential for ageist hiring practices.
AnonymousSeptember 25,2023 at 4:10AM UTC
BP for a desk job in a hospital???? My pre-employment physical was vaccine proof, a drug test, a TB test, and discussion of any health issues that could affect work....the latter which seems a bit invasive.
AnonymousSeptember 25,2023 at 12:35PM UTC
I would go still but I would suggest the following to be a part of the discussion. I totally understand their pov. "I have high blood pressure, but it does not affect my ability to perform my job duties. I take medication to control it and I follow a healthy lifestyle that includes regular exercise and a balanced diet. I also monitor my blood pressure regularly and consult with my doctor if I have any concerns. I am confident that I can handle the stress and challenges of the work environment and deliver high-quality results. I appreciate your consideration and I hope that you will not let this condition prevent you from hiring me."
Sarah PageSeptember 25,2023 at 1:32PM UTC
I have been going back and forth on replying to this for a few days. I don't think that high BP should take you out of the running for an office position. Here is where my worry comes in, your possibly new employer's employee came in and made changes to your prescription. You don't mention if she consulted your actual doctor or not but that is a big red flag to me that they are expecting to have some control over your medical life.
Anytime that my late husband was in that position (he was a truck driver with diabetes and high blood pressure, he had physicals every 6 months to see if he could keep his license), they always sent him back to his regular doctor. Never once did the company appointed doctor ever decide to just change things up for him with his prescriptions because they did not know his full history.
AnonymousSeptember 25,2023 at 7:54PM UTC
I went to occupational health and nurse practitioner was happy with my BP of 140/90. She is going to clear me on her end. So HR will review everything and hopefully they will cal me with my official offer. Thank you everyone for the positive notes.
JMSeptember 26,2023 at 1:34PM UTC
I am happy that it all worked out for you! I am very concerned that workplace medical staff overrode you primary doc without consultation. That just seems like emoployer overreach to me. I'm sure it's legal, but not everything that's legal is ethical or right.
surfnwriteSeptember 26,2023 at 9:28PM UTC
So much of blood pressure is based on breathing. Research James Nestor and Patrick McKeown. Have you tried mouth taping when you sleep? I dropped my top number 30 points.
Rosa GoesSeptember 29,2023 at 4:18PM UTC
I agree. James Nestor's book 'Breathe' is insightful and helpful.
Kim PfeifferSeptember 27,2023 at 4:59PM UTC
A physical for a customer service representative? That's a desk job, I don't get it, unless they want a healthy workforce to save on medical premiums. And isn't your medical info supposed to be confidential from your employer under HIPPA?
That aside and just anecdotal, whenever my BP is taken by a machine, it comes back high. Guess why--because the damn machine nearly squeezes my arm off and it hurts like hell. I always ask them to have a human retake it and it comes back normal. Geez.
Leslie MortonSeptember 27,2023 at 10:50PM UTC
Consider getting a wrist (radial) cuff. Doesn't hurt as much. Debatable if it's as accurate but manual bp readings may not be either if the cuff isn't calibrated on a regular basis.
As for OP, if ur home cuff readings are good and ur monitor saves ur readings, bring in ur monitor to show provider. She may or may not accept them but worth a try. I agree, this seems excessive for a desk job. Good luck!
AnonymousSeptember 28,2023 at 5:26PM UTC
Let them take your bp after you have been there awhile. Helps with anxiety. No caffeine, drink water only. Cuff should be on bare arm- not over clothing. Feet flat on floor, sit up straight and make sure your bladder is empty. This should help with those high readings.