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Post by mapleleaf on Feb 20, 2012 21:15:26 GMT
o all,
Just returned my offer and would like to get more information about the SAMSO medical clearance process. Is the SAMSO medical a questionaire to fill out by yourself or does it also require a physical and or tests completed by a doctor? I have read that many new hires go to Houston to have a medical done, is that part of the SAMSO medical process? Is the process the same the same for all members of the family or just myself?
I understand the Visa medical does require specific test and forms done by a doctor, can this be done by any doctor (in Canada) as long as you prove certification of the doctor (or is this when new hires have a medical in Houston by an Aramco doctor).
Thank you for clarification.
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Post by Hadia on Feb 21, 2012 8:12:59 GMT
You fill out the medical forms yourself, one for each family member, including children. Our experience was that the employee and spouse bloodwork was done at a national chain laboratory in our home state (not Texas) and was sent to Aramco by the lab. We never even received the results, only the employer saw them. My husband's (employee) chest x-ray was done through his own private doctor in our home state. Results were faxed/FedEx'd to Houston. The only time my husband went to Houston was when they flew him there for an interview. Everything else was done from our home state, even the orientation, which we did through an online session. We were not provided with the option to travel to Houston for the (spouse) orientation and medical. Since we're a US family, I'm not sure if the process is the same for Canadians.
I strongly recommend that you be judicious when filling out the medical forms. There is much that's been said about this in the forum, if you use the search function or go to Google and type some key words. The form is lengthy and thorough. You may want to make a few "working copies" first, before finalizing how you want to present everything. Also, important to make sure your childrens' (if you have kids) questionnaire jives with the parents'.
Best of luck!
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Post by Twofeets on Feb 21, 2012 8:35:31 GMT
It seems to be different, from person to person, department to department, but to answer your question from my experience...
For me they flew me to Houston for each occasion, the interview, the medical, etc. All my medical work, blood tests, xrays, orientation, was done in Houston (I lived in Florida).
As was stated, you fill out the forms yourself and send them in, but please dont try to hide anything that would be easy for them to find. While you dont want to tell them every ache and pain, you also dont want to try to hide serious conditions which youve been treated for.
The background checks can be VERY thorough, on mine they asked about things 15-20 years ago which I had long forgotten. As long as they feel you have been honest with them they seem to be good to work with, and they realize sometimes we forget minor things or things from long ago, but if they feel you're intentionally hiding things it can be a job killer.
Honestly, this is the more stressful part of the process. We were thrilled when I got the job offer after the interview. The flight back from Houston felt like a weight had been lifted off my shoulders....but then the next few months, the medical, the background check, etc were pretty stressful. Hang in there and good luck! For most of us it has been well worth it!
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Post by Tremblent on Feb 21, 2012 16:06:36 GMT
mapleleaf,
SAMSO medical is only on paper. You fill in the informations requested and SAMSO will review to accept or reject.
Visa medical can be done in Canada. If you are from Calgary, then I have a contact information for the clinic which does everything from A to Z and they are aware of Saudi Visa Medical requirements.
Please PM me to get more info.
I would strongly advise to have the medical done in your own city rather than in Houston. Home town doctors can perform additional tests to support your case if there is something wrong. You will not have that previlege in Houston though.
GoodLuck in your Medicals.
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Post by mapleleaf on Feb 21, 2012 22:19:03 GMT
Thank you for your informative replies! This helps us to understand the process a little better. Just trying to stay one step ahead and understand what is coming next. Hopefully we will be sent the paperwork soon so we can get started. It does seem the medical and background checks are the nail biting part of the process....getting closer to the ultimate goal of clearance, yet still so far!
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Post by flyingon15 on Feb 22, 2012 4:34:53 GMT
When we submit this questionnaire, do we also have to hand over our medical records from the past XX number of years? I'm worried that I may not be able to gain access to all of my medical records, since I've moved around alot and don't even remember all of my doctors'/clinics' names.
Related to that....how specific will we need to be? If I can't find certain records, there's no way I can be specific about dates, etc. Will approximations be ok?
I realize that my adviser should be able to answer these questions, but I'm just beginning the paperwork process and haven't been assigned anyone yet. I just want to be prepared so that I'm not as frantic when I get the medical paperwork. Thanks!
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Post by soverydeb on Feb 22, 2012 11:09:43 GMT
No, you do not turn your medical records over. And yes, you can approximate if you cannot remember the exact date. On a funny note---one question was if I had been hospitalized. Marked "yes". Then was asked the result of the hospitalization...I wrote "girl". LOL Short answer---don't stress it.
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Post by flyingon15 on Feb 22, 2012 11:54:51 GMT
Great, thanks! I have another question....do we have to provide all of our current and previous doctors' names/contact info? I really don't have that for entire years at a time! I guess I'm just worried that it will appear that I'm lying or trying to hide something, when really I don't have a lot of the information. I haven't had many health problems over the years, so I haven't gotten used to keeping those kinds of records. But I'm learning.  Also, based on the other posts I've read, it sounds like we fill out a health questionnaire & send it in (but they don't double check what you've written), then we get a physical/health check, then an Aramco doctor reviews the file and makes a decision. Is that correct? |
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Post by soverydeb on Feb 23, 2012 17:15:10 GMT
Pretty much that's the way, except the job candidate will have an actual physical to do. The spouse and kiddos only fill out forms and then go to a local lab for bloodwork. A doctor reviews it and then you'll know if you've been accepted. Timeline varies, so patience is KEY here. Some people's go quickly (ours did) and others take longer.
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Post by cal_ram on May 17, 2012 18:20:55 GMT
Hi Tremblent, I am from Calgary and looking for the contact information for the clinic which does everything from A to Z for Saudi Visa Medical requirements. Please PM. Can I request your personal e-mail? I am a new user and I could not able to PM to you. Thanks.
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Post by Tremblent on May 25, 2012 17:26:56 GMT
Congratulations cal_ram and TrueCanadian on you Job offer!!! Here you go. Calgary Foothills Plaza www.wellpointhealth.ca/driving-directions.php Foothills Industrial Park - Foothills Plaza Suite 202, 3716 - 61 Ave. SE Calgary, Alberta Canada T2C 1Z4 Tel: (403) 236-8400 Fax: (403) 236-8806 Hours of Operation: 7:30am to 5pm M to F Goodluck!! I tried to PM truecanadian but could not succeed, may be some problem. If you need more info, please PM me your e-mail id. Tremblent. |
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kilted_highlander78
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Post by kilted_highlander78 on May 25, 2012 18:26:20 GMT
That is actually useful info...instead flying me to houston I can go from vancouver to Calgary to do my tests..I hope this is an option.
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Post by Tremblent on May 26, 2012 9:10:12 GMT
kilted_highlander78,
I am sure there are medical clinics in Vancouver does Saudi Medical Tests. I will post it it here, if I find any.
Goodluck with your medical!
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Post by ohcanada on May 26, 2012 16:00:12 GMT
Hi - I 'passed' my medical recently and only had to supply a doctor's letter to confirm something on the form - no actual medical/blood work yet. I think I was told the actual medical is required for the visa application to the Saudi government so that would still come later, after I pass my BI.
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Post by cal_ram on May 27, 2012 0:50:17 GMT
Tremblent,
Thanks for the information. I appreciate it. I will contact them next week.
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