Medical Employment Limitation ( MEL )

[Staff Weenie]

OTWO - I am a staff Officer at the DCSM/JPSU HQ in Ottawa.  I would suggest that you go to the nearest IPSC and ask to discuss the procedures for a posting to the IPSC with them.  The usual tipping point for a transfer to the IPSC is when a 6 month TCat with restrictive MELs is assigned.  Usually it's done after the assigning of the second TCat, but it can be done on the first one if the MELs are very restrictive, and the member cannot be safely employed in their unit. 

As you are on a PCat with MELs of 'clerical duty' you should really visit the nearest IPSC, and discuss the issue of a posting.  Always keep your chain of command in the loop as well.

I know that you probably have a million questions, and more stress than anyone needs at the moment, but help is out there at the IPSC.  And, you can always contact me any time at [email protected] - I'll do whatever I can to get you an answer.

 

[ArmyGuy99]

OTWO,

There are several ways to get posted to JPSU/IPSC.

A little known way is to write a memo requesting it.  I did.  No problems.  Write the memo, fill out the form and send it up.  I was posted out a few weeks later.  Mind you I had the support of my CoC. 

Staff Weenie is correct though, your first stop should be to pop into your local IPSC det or at least call them.  They are a great and fantastic resource.

I'm out now, but I'm willing to help out if I can.  PM me and I'll help you anyway I can.  I'm out of town this week so I don't have access to my files, directly but It's still fresh (like 45 days ago I was a Cpl).

 

[DAA]

Feel free to correct me if I am wrong.  But should a posting to JPSU/IPSC only be considered in cases where a member is assigned "restrictive" MEL's and where it is not possible to advantageously or gainfully employ them within unit lines and the unit needs to free up the position to have a replacement posted in.

I know of an instance where an RMS Clk was assigned a PCAT which breaches UoS and had the restriction "Clerical duties only as tolerated".  The member was happy in their job and the unit was able to employ them, so a posting to JPSU/IPSC was not even considered nor requested by the member.  Nevertheless, it's all about the CF member and if they are NOT comfortable with the duties they are assigned and if they would "prefer" to move over to the JPSU/IPSC, then their request should be considered.

The bad thing about the wording on PCATs is that they are very "generic" in nature and subject to "creative interpretation" at unit level. 

So a unit sees the restriction of "Clerical duties only as tolerated" and then tells the member that they are required to undertake Annual Refresher Trg (ie' FA/CPR, CBRN, Ranges, etc).  Now the person has to go back to their local Health Services to get the issue resolved and may very well be viewed as a "whiner" by the CoC.

 

[Teager]

DAA, the JPSU/IPSC is usually a good place for members to go to who go on a PCAT and breach UoS. In your example if that person were to get posted to an IPSC they could still continue to work in the same work place working within there MEL's on a return to work. This would free up a position for the unit and also have an extra hand at no cost to the unit. The IPSC is able to support the member much better as they have the most up to date info and how too. The member will usually have many concerns and questions and most of these can be answered by a IPSC. If there are any issues at a members RTW then the member can bring them up with their IPSC CoC and it is usually fixed right away and can avoid being told to do things that go against there MEL's.

 

[DAA]

DAA, the JPSU/IPSC is usually a good place for members to go to who go on a PCAT and breach UoS. In your example if that person were to get posted to an IPSC they could still continue to work in the same work place working within there MEL's on a return to work. This would free up a position for the unit and also have an extra hand at no cost to the unit. The IPSC is able to support the member much better as they have the most up to date info and how too. The member will usually have many concerns and questions and most of these can be answered by a IPSC. If there are any issues at a members RTW then the member can bring them up with their IPSC CoC and it is usually fixed right away and can avoid being told to do things that go against there MEL's.

Excellent point!!!  I never thought about it in this context.  I am more accustomed to seeing the, shall we say, bad side of things.

Thanks for this!!!

 

[lavoie020]

Good day,

I'm looking into the policy that says that after two consecutive 30 day MEL you need a TCAT. I can't seem to find it on the CMP intranet.

Can anyone point me in the right direction.

Thanks

 

[Eye In The Sky]

Maybe in here as a start...Part 1 is info on MELs. 

http://www.forces.gc.ca/en/about-policies-standards-medical-occupations/selected-medical-conditions.page

http://www.forces.gc.ca/en/about-policies-standards-medical-occupations/index.page

 

[lavoie020]

I found those, but scanning through them I didn't find anything on the two consecutive 30 day chits.

Is there an actual policy on it, or is this just what we have been doing.

 

[Eye In The Sky]

I am just a button monkey...here's the only other thing I can find.

http://www.forces.gc.ca/en/about-policies-standards-medical-occupations/cf-medical-category-system.page

Temporary Categories (TCats) and Permanent Categories (PCats)

11. Frequently, it becomes necessary to temporarily change one or more of the medical category factors while waiting for a medical condition to stabilize enough to allow for it to revert back to the previous Med Cat. The validity of most temporary changes shall not exceed six (6) months, but a TCat may be renewed once (i.e., maximum 12 months temporary medical category status).

12. An initial TCat may be assigned for 12 months in exceptional circumstances where there is no benefit to the member to be re-assessed at the 6 month point. Examples would include pregnancy or situations where there will be a prolonged delay in accessing definitive therapy.

13. A 12 month time frame should allow an accurate assessment of the prognosis for most medical conditions. As soon as the member's condition has plateaued and/or is not expected to significantly improve in the foreseeable future, a PCat should be assigned, even before the end of the 12-month period of TCat. A statement regarding prognosis shall be made in the PHA at the earliest reasonable time.

14. In the rare case where additional temporary status beyond 12 months may be warranted for extenuating circumstances, the case must be reviewed and approved by D Med Pol /Medical Standards section. Guidelines for the application of and approval authorities for TCats and PCats are in CF H Svcs Gp Instruction 5020-07 Changes of Medical Category or Employment Limitations.

The ref in yellow might be what you're looking for.

 

[CombatDoc]

Good day,

I'm looking into the policy that says that after two consecutive 30 day MEL you need a TCAT. I can't seem to find it on the CMP intranet.

Can anyone point me in the right direction.

Thanks

AFAIK, there is no hard and fast policy stating that 2 x 30 days MELs = TCAT. Each patient is assessed individually on a case-by-case basis, and the prognosis (ie outlook for recovery to full duties) drives the decision on whether a TCAT is required.

 

[Mediman14]

To any MO's or PA's - When a Mbr receives an MEL that states " has a chronic medical condition with high risk exacerbation if required to perform duties in hostile or life threatening environments etc (can't remember the rest), During exacerbation, requires Level 2 care.

Does that mean "High Risk PCat"?
Is that G5 O5?

 

[Armymedic]

Yes.

 

[ModlrMike]

Without the benefit of having seen the file... that sounds about right.

 

[medicineman]

Yes.

Without the benefit of having seen the file... that sounds about right.

Ditto

 

[CombatDoc]

To any MO's or PA's - When a Mbr receives an MEL that states " has a chronic medical condition with high risk exacerbation if required to perform duties in hostile or life threatening environments etc (can't remember the rest), During exacerbation, requires Level 2 care.

Does that mean "High Risk PCat"?
Is that G5 O5?

I can’t say with certainty what the Geographic and Occupational factors would be that D Med Pol will likely assign, because all the details of your case are not available. For example, there may be other MELs in addition to this one.

What I can say is that the MEL you have listed is likely to breach U of S (which would trigger 3B release). DMCA has already made changes to how they process MELs vis a vis U of S, and U of S is also being reviewed as part of The Journey project being lead by COS Strat from MPC.

 

[Mediman14]

I guess it would be safe to say that the Pearls of Wisdom book would change as well with the new U of S. The other MEL's include  Specialists less than every 6 months, Medical less than every 6 months, unfit shift work, no running, etc, unable to stay alert. Unfit force test, no duck, no drill,  Change positions every 5 minutes , access to lab, physio etc, flexibility in work schedule,  Clerical duties only and light physical tasks only.

 

[CombatDoc]

I guess it would be safe to say that the Pearls of Wisdom book would change as well with the new U of S. The other MEL's include  Specialists less than every 6 months, Medical less than every 6 months, unfit shift work, no running, etc, unable to stay alert. Unfit force test, no duck, no drill,  Change positions every 5 minutes , access to lab, physio etc, flexibility in work schedule,  Clerical duties only and light physical tasks only.

You have multiple MELs that likely breach U of S, although DMCA is the authority for making that determination.