TCAT and applying for Class B employment

[sloganc]

I would just go into the unit and ask around - but its 3pm on a Friday ..  and my OR is off at a function.. and its march break...  I could wait till monday but the stress is starting to get to me.

I have to re-compete for my position after 6yrs in a Class B pos.  I left my medical late and in doing it this week i find out i have high blood sugar levels and most likely will be put on a TCat early next week when more tests come back. With my position's competition ending on 31-Mar .. not alot of time to turn anything around TCat wise .. so my question is can i apply for my job while on the TCat .. or should i start looking for work outside the military asap?

thanks in advance.

 

[ModlrMike]

I think you can still apply. That being said, your employment limitations may make it difficult to win the competition.

 

[DAA]

Apply for the position, if not already done.  At the end of the day, you need to meet the minimum requirements of the job, which include a current Med Cat within the prescribed minimums of the job.

6 years in the job and you didn't realize this was coming up and waited till the last minute?      :facepalm:

 

[Ayrsayle]

Somewhat related, but from the other side:

Class B Position
Medical requirement: Be Med Fit
Applicant has an G3, O4 and elevated risk - Universality of Service.
Member does not meet Med requirements to be within own trade (which is the same as advertised position)

Obligations for the Employing Unit to consider his application?

 

[sloganc]

its a desk job so the limitations should be minimal.

and yes facepalming is in order. I would like to say its a one off, but it seems to me more of an SOP. (drivers license in my mid 30's, marriage after 13 years together, first kid at 38.... you get the picture).

and thanks for the answer .. muchly appreciated ..

 

[DAA]

its a desk job so the limitations should be minimal.

and yes facepalming is in order. I would like to say its a one off, but it seems to me more of an SOP. (drivers license in my mid 30's, marriage after 13 years together, first kid at 38.... you get the picture).

You still have to be "med fit" like Ayrsayle mentions above.  If the job is Class B and happens to be "PRL" managed (ie; MILPERSCOM), you could be in for a shock.  They have been known to allow for extensions after the first three (ie; 3+3) but can't say that I've ever seen anyone hired without a current/valid Med CAT beyond that point in time.

Good luck.

 

[RADOPSIGOPACCISOP]

I would just go into the unit and ask around - but its 3pm on a Friday ..  and my OR is off at a function.. and its march break...  I could wait till monday but the stress is starting to get to me.

I have to re-compete for my position after 6yrs in a Class B pos.  I left my medical late and in doing it this week i find out i have high blood sugar levels and most likely will be put on a TCat early next week when more tests come back. With my position's competition ending on 31-Mar .. not alot of time to turn anything around TCat wise .. so my question is can i apply for my job while on the TCat .. or should i start looking for work outside the military asap?

thanks in advance.

I'd be surprised they assign a TCAT based on one test. Do you think it may be due to a mistake fasting (chocolate cake and a large double double in the car on the way to the MIR?)

Seems like this would be something they'd run a second test to confirm that there's no error on the test, especially if you explain that it could have serious career implications. Plus, since it's your health they should confirm things to give you the best medical advise.

That said, if you do have a TCAT assigned then it kind of puts you outside the req for the job. There is no strictly desk jobs in the military, since we all have to meet the universality of service. Except, of course, if you are a Maj or above, then they'll lift your TCAT for a day to do things like promotions or career boosting deployment DAGs.

 

[PuckChaser]

I can't help but think, you wouldn't be worrying about what you'd do for work if you joined the Regular Force 6 years ago, instead of being a CL B junkie. But like you said, maybe it's one of those things you put off.

 

[Occam]

I'd be surprised they assign a TCAT based on one test. Do you think it may be due to a mistake fasting (chocolate cake and a large double double in the car on the way to the MIR?)

Depends on which test they did.  If it was a fasting blood glucose, a second test would be called for if the reading was high. 

If it was a HbA1c test and the reading was high, he's done like dinner and is diabetic...no amount of retesting will change that.

 

[Haggis]

.. or should i start looking for work outside the military asap?

Yes and always.  The days of making Class B a "career" are pretty much done.

And, as pointed out by PuckChaser, if you like the CAF so much as an employer, you should consider CT'ing to the Regular Force (once your medical issue is sorted out, of course).

 

[sloganc]

was a 2nd test - and still high.  HbA1c result is due back monday.. but i expect it to be high as well.  So ya diabetic .. although i dont think high enough to require insulin injections .. just maybe meds - and definitely diet and more exercise.

thanks for more responses .. done like dinner it is 

I probably would CT but my wife makes a lot more than i and as i cant grantee where i would be posted - so not something i can seriously look at until she retires. 

I think i will just have to take the good class b work i have gotten as the godsend it was and move on.  The new rules that allow CF mbrs to apply for public service might open up some doors.. if not the experience i have accumulated will stand me in good stead.

 

[Occam]

Welcome to the type 2 club.  :nod:

 

[sloganc]

thanks ?  i guess. 

worst thing really is i think im going lose my kids their spots at the excellent Halifax MFRC daycare.

 

[RADOPSIGOPACCISOP]

Depends on which test they did.  If it was a fasting blood glucose, a second test would be called for if the reading was high. 

If it was a HbA1c test and the reading was high, he's done like dinner and is diabetic...no amount of retesting will change that.

I'm certainly no expert on medical things, but that sounds like a test that wouldn't be routine and more often then not is the follow on test to a high blood glucose result on your standard fasting blood test?

 

[RADOPSIGOPACCISOP]

was a 2nd test - and still high.  HbA1c result is due back monday.. but i expect it to be high as well.  So ya diabetic .. although i dont think high enough to require insulin injections .. just maybe meds - and definitely diet and more exercise.

thanks for more responses .. done like dinner it is 

I probably would CT but my wife makes a lot more than i and as i cant grantee where i would be posted - so not something i can seriously look at until she retires. 

I think i will just have to take the good class b work i have gotten as the godsend it was and move on.  The new rules that allow CF mbrs to apply for public service might open up some doors.. if not the experience i have accumulated will stand me in good stead.

Wife is public service with HR staffing. A med release from the military puts you on the highest priority list for public service jobs. I'm not sure if being a reservist affects that, but I suspect you're still good. Without asking where you live, if there is a sizable federal government presence in the area you are all but guaranteed a job, though you may be pushing paper and doing filing for a living.

If you are interested in this, let me know and I'll see if she can dig up all the relevant info for you.

 

[medicineman]

I'd be surprised they assign a TCAT based on one test. Do you think it may be due to a mistake fasting (chocolate cake and a large double double in the car on the way to the MIR?)

Seems like this would be something they'd run a second test to confirm that there's no error on the test, especially if you explain that it could have serious career implications. Plus, since it's your health they should confirm things to give you the best medical advise.

There are fasting and non fasting high and low levels for blood sugars, plus these days we often just do a glycosylated hemoglobin, all of which are all that's required to make a preliminary diagnosis - the remainder are balances for the checks.  I stopped doing fasting blood work in family med a number of years ago - if you wait too long it affects the tests just as adversely as if you don't fast long enough. 

MM

 

[Nudibranch]

Wife is public service with HR staffing. A med release from the military puts you on the highest priority list for public service jobs. I'm not sure if being a reservist affects that, but I suspect you're still good. Without asking where you live, if there is a sizable federal government presence in the area you are all but guaranteed a job, though you may be pushing paper and doing filing for a living.

If you are interested in this, let me know and I'll see if she can dig up all the relevant info for you.

A simple DM2 (if that's what the mbr ends up having) won't necessarily give him a med release, at least not immediately.

His problem is that he'll likely be put on a TCAT to allow time to determine the severity of his med condition, and its prognosis. The usual "something's wrong, we need time to investigate what and just how wrong, and try to get things under control as much as possible" TCAT. For med release you need PCAT, and the system doesn't go "Oh, elevated sugars - PCAT 4U!"
And being Res and applying for new contract, the TCAT might simply cause him to not be picked up for contract - this isn't a med release, it's a "we can't hire you at this time."

 

[Occam]

I'm certainly no expert on medical things, but that sounds like a test that wouldn't be routine and more often then not is the follow on test to a high blood glucose result on your standard fasting blood test?

Not at all.  The HbA1c is a very simple test that doesn't even require fasting.  My doc didn't even do a fasting or non-fasting glucose before calling for the HbA1c.  Of course, the fact that I was drinking everything in sight, peeing like a racehorse, lost 20 lbs and my vision changing half a diopter in three months were probably dead giveaways...

As he pointed out to me at my follow-up on Wednesday, you can fool a bunch of fasting/non-fasting glucose tests, but you can't fool the HbA1c.

 

[medicineman]

As he pointed out to me at my follow-up on Wednesday, you can fool a bunch of fasting/non-fasting glucose tests, but you can't fool the HbA1c.

I call it the cheat test.

MM

 

[Occam]

I call it the cheat test.

MM

Yes, and now I know why; after starting metformin and getting rid of the major symptoms, I exercised a little (okay, a lot of) denial and continued my usual diet.  Needless to say, I went from 10.5 in Dec to 9.2 last week. 

My appt with the dietician is on the 29th... ;D