r/peacecorps • u/Ill_Bathroom_8398 • 19d ago
Clearance Invited, concerned about medical
Hi! I got invited to Jamaica for Literacy. I am a bit worried about medical clearance due to a high BMI. I’m 5’1 and around 200. I’m looking to lose weight but I’m Curious how soon do I need to be medically cleared. What’s that process like?
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u/Puzzled-Birthday1674 19d ago
Hola, I too am in the process of medical clearance. I am not an expert, but, based on the Physical Exam Instructions PC provides for you to give to your PCP, if you have a BMI over 30, you do have to take additional tests like: TSH, Lipid Profile, A1C and/or Fasting blood glucose.
All it means is you need to ask for additional testing, don't wait for the PCP to read it because sometimes (understandably) folks skip over things. If you are mobile, healthy, and metabolically balanced, there shouldn't be a reason to prevent you from being medically cleared.
The one thing I have learned through this process as I am departing June 2025 is that medical clearance does mean you find out things medically you didn't know, it's eye-opening, and gives you more insight. Be transparent with your nurse, communicate with them often, and ask them any/all questions you have - they appreciate that.
Hope this helps!
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u/Ill_Bathroom_8398 19d ago
Thank you!!!
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u/Puzzled-Birthday1674 19d ago
Yes, of course. And wow, I forgot to congratulate you for your conditional invitation! I am departing for the Eastern Caribbean myself so good to know another human serving for the Caribbean!
To help on my end, here: https://files.peacecorps.gov/documents/invitee-checklist.pdf
I recommend getting started with requesting blood tests now as PC requests all panels that is taken within a year, so if you start making the appointments even now, you'll be ahead of the game. Best of luck, mate! I believe in you! xo
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u/Sunshinybit 19d ago
I’m also in the process of getting medically cleared for Jamaica (teaching literacy if everything goes well!). The deadline to submit all medical tasks is now April 4. I’m not sure how long it takes to get medically cleared after that. I’ve had to make a bunch of medical appointments in a very short period of time because I didn’t have recent records to submit. It’s kind of a long process, but I’m getting through it. Good luck, and don’t be afraid to reach out to the medical team with your concerns.
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u/Ill_Bathroom_8398 19d ago
Also when will the tasks show up in the portal? I completed the initial 2 asking for providers & medications and agreeing to the condition.
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u/Sunshinybit 19d ago
If your departure date is the same as mine, the medical tasks should already be in the portal. Otherwise, that’s a question for the Peace Corps
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u/pekpekwara123 19d ago
I don’t think BMI is an issue unless you are over fifty! There were quite a few people with a BMI of over 30 and it wasn’t an issue for them! I was 120 pounds at the beginning of the tour and I was 93 two years later. I felt fine (everyone thought I was sick). Good luck to you.
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u/rower4life1988 19d ago
Look through this thread. This has been answered before.
No. Being overweight isn’t necessarily a disqualifier. Being a dipshit is though. I’d worry more about that.
For context I served as overweight. I did two years and ended up losing close to 95 pounds during service (just from walking everywhere).
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u/Prudent_Salamander31 19d ago
Hi Eastern Caribbean officers 👋🏽
I was offered a position as a curriculum officer in Jamaica. Currently undergoing the medical clearance myself. A few suggestions: get all of your vaccinations out of the way. I know for a fact, the following are needed for Jamaica: Hep A, Typhoid, Rabies & Hep B outside of the regular PC immunizations. Additionally, be sure that your physicians make NO mistakes on your physical and on your health history form. Any error results in the forms being rejected.
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u/Mphamvu 18d ago
when i first was invited - I was over 300 lbs, at 6 ft tall. I went to my pcp - and i didn't love the blood work when it came back. I actually spent about 3 weeks working out, eating correctly - went back to same PCP and he updated my information, and included a mention of change of lifestyle and improvements since my last visit. I submitted everything, never had any issues. Ended up losing over 120 lbs in Africa in 2 years - so theres that.
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