Assessments & Medicals discussion

[king_walnut]

Hi,

I have just passed a psychometric test for a new driver post for LNER, I am currently awaiting to hear a date for my medical.

I am generally fit and well and have no medical conditions and take no medication. However over 5 years ago I had a vasovagal/simple faint and was taken to hospital where I was investigated by neurology who stated I had a one of vasovagal syncope due to contributing factors which were : not eating and drinking properly prior to a long run/ being jetlagged from a long haul flight. As stated this has never happened prior/ since and I am overall fit and well.

Just wondering if this is something that will be included in the driver medical and something that will likely lead me to failing the medical examination?

Thank you

They will ask you if you have any history of epilepsy, seizures or blackouts etc .. in which case be honest.

All that will happen is that they'll speak to you further about it and possibly ask for the documentation relating to it from your GP. I can't imagine a one off incident several years ago being any sort of barrier to you passing it successfully.

 

[Line speed]

Now then comrades, bit of a nerdy one for you.

I've just got a drivers job (buzzing) and I'm looking to see if anyone has the specific standard for sunglasses? I'm a tail lamp currently for the same company but where i hail from Guards are forbidden from wearing them. I wear prescription sunglasses already but just want to make sure its all alright.

 

[Ducatist4]

Hi,

I have just passed a psychometric test for a new driver post for LNER, I am currently awaiting to hear a date for my medical.

Medical before the MMI and DMI? That's unusual.

 

[NSEWonderer]

Medical before the MMI and DMI? That's unusual.

Pretty sure LNER does the DMI right after the video interview which is then followed by the psychometrics and mmi and then if successful, the medical.

 

[Ducatist4]

okay, fair enough.

 

[Islineclear3_1]

Any medics here who work for Transport for London buses? If so, can you PM me please

 

[RebeccaHW]

Hi everyone, is it correct that failing a DMI doesn't lose you a life? So basically you have unlimited attempts at DMI?

 

[NSEWonderer]

Hi everyone, is it correct that failing a DMI doesn't lose you a life? So basically you have unlimited attempts at DMI?

Yes but you will usually have to wait 6 months with the TOC you failed with to resit with them.

 

[RebeccaHW]

Yes but you will usually have to wait 6 months with the TOC you failed with to resit with them.

Thank you! That's very helpful

 

[fletchar2]

Hi guys, I'm after some advice.

I'm booked in for an OPC assessment tomorrow morning but I've come down with a sickness bug. My little one has just started at nursery so it is like playing bingo with him picking up every disease and illness going.

Realistically I don't think I'm well enough to go tomorrow. I'm still feeling very ill and no doubt contagious. But I'm worried that I won't be given another date and will effectively be culled from the application process.

I'm also worried that if I don't attend, and if I notify the recruitment team that I can't go, will this count as a life lost with the OPC?

 

[Terry844]

Hi guys, I'm after some advice.

I'm booked in for an OPC assessment tomorrow morning but I've come down with a sickness bug. My little one has just started at nursery so it is like playing bingo with him picking up every disease and illness going.

Realistically I don't think I'm well enough to go tomorrow. I'm still feeling very ill and no doubt contagious. But I'm worried that I won't be given another date and will effectively be culled from the application process.

I'm also worried that if I don't attend, and if I notify the recruitment team that I can't go, will this count as a life lost with the OPC?

I don’t believe it’s a life lost as you only loose a life if you sit and fail the tests.

Unfortunately you probably won’t be given another date, and be told to try again next recruitment push. You could always ask them if any other date is available

 

[NSEWonderer]

Hi guys, I'm after some advice.

I'm booked in for an OPC assessment tomorrow morning but I've come down with a sickness bug. My little one has just started at nursery so it is like playing bingo with him picking up every disease and illness going.

Realistically I don't think I'm well enough to go tomorrow. I'm still feeling very ill and no doubt contagious. But I'm worried that I won't be given another date and will effectively be culled from the application process.

I'm also worried that if I don't attend, and if I notify the recruitment team that I can't go, will this count as a life lost with the OPC?

On the day you're asked if there is any reason why you feel you can't continue the assessment by the examiners before starting the tests.

Ideally you'd want to tell recruitment before making the journey there, especially if you're knowingly sick as you'd want to minimise the risk of transfer. Part of the job will be to make these tough decisions and asses the risk your actions may pose to others aswell as yourself.

If you go there, you're doing so pretty much to say you're ready for that day of testing else it will be a wasted trip. It's unfortunate luck indeed and the next testing date indeed may be unknown but on the flip side you get more time to recover and practice!

 

[CreswellSig]

Are there any differences between a medical for a conductor role and a medical for a driver role?

If so, what extra things are tested for on the driver medical?

 

[Snake_hips]

I’ve just found out that I have passed my stage 1 for EMR and now onto the assessment day. If anyone has any tips or advice on what happens at the assessment day it would be appreciated Thanks

 

[Andywen]

Is anyone still waiting for a medical in Darlington? I passed my tests back in March but have heard nothing since!

I had a medical on 19th September. Got email today saying I'd passed and job offer.

 

[davids86]

Hi,

I've recently been unsuccessful with one question on my MMI with the OPC apparently... and I was just thinking, is that 6 months before reapplying like a general rule that all the TOCs are obliged to follow? Or is it to do with the OPC? Because I've heard that there are some TOCs that are doing their MMI internally. If a role with any of the TOCs that do them this way would become available, then is there a chance of applying earlier or is it an absolute necessity to wait them 6 months minimum? TIA

 

[NSEWonderer]

Hi,

I've recently been unsuccessful with one question on my MMI with the OPC apparently... and I was just thinking, is that 6 months before reapplying like a general rule that all the TOCs are obliged to follow? Or is it to do with the OPC? Because I've heard that there are some TOCs that are doing their MMI internally. If a role with any of the TOCs that do them this way would become available, then is there a chance of applying earlier or is it an absolute necessity to wait them 6 months minimum? TIA

6 months wait if you fail any OPC assessment of which you need to resit the specfic area you failed. In this case it also may affect applications that you have with other TOCs as the MMI is a standard assessment interview that forms the national level criteria of grading.

 

[davids86]

And it doesn't matter if the other TOCs would be doing the MMI in house? They will wouldn't consider me before the 6 months after I've failed with OPC? And if them 6 months is an absolute necessity I reckon I could still apply a bit earlier then after 6 months if any position would become available in the meantime as it usually takes a while before they'll get to stage 2 assessments, am I thinking right here? Cheers

 

[NSEWonderer]

And it doesn't matter if the other TOCs would be doing the MMI in house? They will wouldn't consider me before the 6 months after I've failed with OPC? And if them 6 months is an absolute necessity I reckon I could still apply a bit earlier then after 6 months if any position would become available in the meantime as it usually takes a while before they'll get to stage 2 assessments, am I thinking right here? Cheers

Yeah its all stored on the national database so even if a toc is doing the mmi at their own center and not the opc, they still follow the mandated rule of a 6 month gap between the last failed assessement, unless its an enhanced test failed that they do not use themselves like the VSE or DFFT, or enhanced scoring that is higher than what they accept(national level).

But the MMI is just a simple pass or fail, no enhanced score so if you fail it with anyone then all TOCs are affected.

 

[davids86]

Understood. Thanks for that

 

[Edw00d108]

Hello all,

I have only been driving for a few years and over the past couple of months seem to have developed sciatica which is extremely painful and disrupting my day to day life. Never suffered with it before nor had back pain so odds are pointing to train driving being a major contributing factor. Just wondered if anyone had any tips or used any form of aids to help aliviate the discomfort?

Thanks.

 

[mickeyC]

Hello all,

I have only been driving for a few years and over the past couple of months seem to have developed sciatica which is extremely painful and disrupting my day to day life. Never suffered with it before nor had back pain so odds are pointing to train driving being a major contributing factor. Just wondered if anyone had any tips or used any form of aids to help aliviate the discomfort?

Thanks.

Hi,
Get yourself to a good chiropractor for a check up, I suffer with it and visit a chiropractor maybe once a month for a stretch and pull, they should also show you stretches and exercises to do daily

 

[richfoz84]

If you’re in the railway benevolent fund, you’ll get free chiropractic appt’s upto around £300 (from memory!) that’s certainly worth looking into.
I suffer with it and I’ve found kettlebell exercises and cycling helps to keep mine at bay

 

[Horizon22]

Hello all,

I have only been driving for a few years and over the past couple of months seem to have developed sciatica which is extremely painful and disrupting my day to day life. Never suffered with it before nor had back pain so odds are pointing to train driving being a major contributing factor. Just wondered if anyone had any tips or used any form of aids to help aliviate the discomfort?

Thanks.

Is this something you have already discussed with your line manager / occupational health. Or is it something you’d rather not?

 

[Edw00d108]

If you’re in the railway benevolent fund, you’ll get free chiropractic appt’s upto around £300 (from memory!) that’s certainly worth looking into.
I suffer with it and I’ve found kettlebell exercises and cycling helps to keep mine at bay

Will look into it thanks.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 29 Sep 2024 ==

Hi,
Get yourself to a good chiropractor for a check up, I suffer with it and visit a chiropractor maybe once a month for a stretch and pull, they should also show you stretches and exercises to do daily

Think that's my first port of call! Cheers.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 29 Sep 2024 ==

Is this something you have already discussed with your line manager / occupational health. Or is it something you’d rather not?

Rather not for now. Want to take some personal responsibility and try tackle it now.

 

[newbiewannabe]

Hi, I’ve applied for trainee train driver with southeastern. Over the weekend I had go at the group bourdon test practice material I found on this forum.
I think I averaged around 7-8 rows left to right per page.
My results were average speed and above average accuracy. This was my first attempt with a lot of distractions so I’m hoping to improve on this.
Does anyone know the results needed to pass?

Thanks.

 

[NSEWonderer]

Hi, I’ve applied for trainee train driver with southeastern. Over the weekend I had go at the group bourdon test practice material I found on this forum.
I think I averaged around 7-8 columns per page.
My results were average speed and above average accuracy. This was my first attempt with a lot of distractions so I’m hoping to improve on this.
Does anyone know the results needed to pass?

Thanks.

If you truly mean columns(dots going down in a linearly vertical direction) then you're doing the test incorrectly and won't pass with that. It should be down from left to right, starting from the top left first group of dots. You really want to be averaging 8+ rows of dots as most have already commented on this forum about the group bourdon and with minimal ommissions and little to none errors(incorrectly slashed dots that aren't 4 dots). Good luck

 

[elduderino78]

Hi, I’ve applied for trainee train driver with southeastern. Over the weekend I had go at the group bourdon test practice material I found on this forum.
I think I averaged around 7-8 columns per page.
My results were average speed and above average accuracy. This was my first attempt with a lot of distractions so I’m hoping to improve on this.
Does anyone know the results needed to pass?

Thanks.

I believe they count in rows, not columns, and I would concentrate on being as accurate as possible, even if it means slowing down a bit.

I think I got around halfway down when I did it and easily passed.

 

[newbiewannabe]

If you truly mean columns(dots going down in a linearly vertical direction) then you're doing the test incorrectly and won't pass with that. It should be down from left to right, starting from the top left first group of dots. You really want to be averaging 8+ rows of dots as most have already commented on this forum about the group bourdon and with minimal ommissions and little to none errors(incorrectly slashed dots that aren't 4 dots). Good luck

Cheers, I meant rows!

 

[RebeccaHW]

Hi all, my partner has completed stage 1 and 2 assessments plus MMI and is now awaiting a DMI with WMT later this week.

He's just been sent a link to complete an OPC online assessment with Cross Country. This is the first stage of this application. From researching the forum I think this will be a VSE?

He hasn't completed a VSE with WMT but if he attempts this VSE and failed, would this jeopardise his WMT application in any way? Or not because WMT don't use the VSE?

Thank you for any advice you can give.