Expert: Jack Toomey - 1/6/2010

Question
Hello Mr.Toomey. I know you get alot of questions concerning medical disqualifications, standards and whatnot. Your input would be greatly appreciated and helpful.

I'm 17 years old and my whole life I've wanted to have a career in law enforcement, specifically with the Pennsylvania State Police. I have a bicuspid aortic valve, (heart condition where the aortic valve has two leaflets instead of three). It is not debilitating in any way. I also take Atenolol, a beta blocker for blood pressure. I don't have high blood pressure. My doctor prescribed me it just as a precaution. I also have no side effects whatsoever from the meds. I'm in very good shape, keep myself healthy and run/exercise at least 3-4 times a week. I asked my doctor about joining the state police and he said as of now there's no reason why I shouldn't be able to apply. I also talked to a recruiter from the state police and she only told me that as long as I get clearance from my doctor, she doesn't see why I wouldn't be able to as long as the state police doctor gives me the go ahead. What I wanted to ask you is if you we're a recruiter and from your experience, how would you look at this situation and could it effect how you are ranked on the hiring list?

Thank You.

Answer
Blaine,

If I was a recruiter I would not discuss any medical situations except to give the prospective candidate some encouragement.  Its not a good idea to talk about things that you don't have expertise in.  On my department a recruiter also is an investigator so he/she would also be doing your background investigation and the investigation would have nothing to do with medical issues since you would have already gotten by the medical issue hurdle.  In other words on MY department any medical issue would have been ruled on before you would have advanced to the background stage.  This is done so not to waste time and manpower hours.

So I would defer to the people (doctor and recruiter) that you talked to.  A lot can happen in the next four years so keep your nose clean and make sure that the doctor is going to be still around when you are 21 or whenever you apply.