W. Va. Code R. § 81-2-8

Current through Register Vol. XLI, No. 45, November 8, 2024
Section 81-2-8 - Medical Selection Stage
8.1. The remaining applicants shall submit to a medical examination by a licensed physician chosen by, and at the expense of the State Police.
8.2. The applicant shall complete a comprehensive medical history questionnaire, supplied by the State Police, which will elicit information dealing with the applicant's family health history, current health habits such as smoking, alcohol intake, physical activity, and medications. The questionnaire will also deal with, among other things, primary factors associated with coronary heart disease such as high blood pressure, high blood fat levels, obesity, physical inactivity, etc. The medical examination shall consist of selection criteria aimed at identifying conditions that may potentially exclude an applicant from consideration for appointment to the position of state police officer. The following conditions may be cause to exclude an applicant from consideration for employment, except where specifically noted;
8.2.1. Eyes and Vision
8.2.1.1. Visual Acuity - An applicant's uncorrected distant vision may be equal to but not worse than 20/100 in the weaker eye, and, shall be correctable to better than, or equal to 20/30 (Snellen) in each eye. Means of correction must be worn on the job and must not interfere with proper fitting of a facial mask, e.g. gas mask, riot helmet, or air, or blood borne pathogen masks, etc.
8.2.1.1.a. Far visual acuity shall be at least 20/30 binocular with contact lenses or spectacles. Far visual acuity uncorrected shall be at least 20/100 binocular for wearers of hard contacts or spectacles. Successful long-term soft contact lens wearers (six months without a problem) are not subject to the uncorrected standard.
8.2.1.1.b. Ophthalmological procedures such as radial keratotomy, repair or retinal detachment. Sufficient time (i.e., six months) must have passed to allow stabilization of visual acuity and to ensure that there are no postsurgical complications.
8.2.1.2. Visual Acuity - Color Vision: The applicant must pass a "controlled color discrimination test", e.g. United States Department of Transportation Color Vision Examination.
8.2.1.3. Visual Acuity - Depth Perception: An applicant's depth perception should be sufficient to demonstrate normal stereo depth perception with or without correction to the standard: 80 ARC seconds.
8.2.1.4. The examining physician is to note any other conditions which may interfere with the applicant's ability to perform the duties attendant to the position of state police officer.
8.2.2. Ears and Hearing
8.2.2.1. Hearing Acuity - Using an audiometer, the applicant should have no average loss of 25 or more decibels at the 500, 1000, 2000, and 3000 Hertz (Hz) levels in either ear with no single frequency loss in excess of 40.
8.2.2.2. Acute Otitis Media, Otitis Externa, and Mastoiditis - If the applicant meets Hearing Acuity guidelines and the condition is resolved, then these conditions are non-disqualifying.
8.2.2.3. Any Inner/Middle/Outer Ear Disorder Affecting Equilibrium, e.g. Meniere's Disease - If the applicant has historically had episodes of vertigo, the applicant may require further evaluation.
8.2.3. Nose, Throat, and Mouth
8.2.3.1. Loss of Sense of Smell.
8.2.3.2. Aphonia, Speech Loss or Speech Defects.
8.2.3.3. Abnormalities of the Nose, Throat, or Mouth - If the abnormality does not interfere with the applicant's breathing, or the proper fitting of a gas mask, then the condition is non-excludable.
8.2.4. Peripheral Vascular System
8.2.4.1. Hypertension - An applicant's resting blood pressure should be less than, or equal to, 140 mmHg systolic and 90 mmHg diastolic on three successive readings. (If the applicant has controlled hypertension not exceeding this standard and is on medication with side effect profiles which do not interfere with performance of duty as a state police officer, then the condition may not cause the applicant to be excluded.) The applicant must have a functional and therapeutic cardiac classification no greater than 1A, i.e., Functional Capacity I: Applicants with cardiac disease and no limitation of physical activity. Ordinary physical activity does not cause discomfort. Applicants in this class do not have symptoms of cardiac insufficiency, nor do they experience anginal pain. Therapeutic Classification A: Applicants with cardiac disease whose physical activity need not be restricted.
8.2.4.2. Peripheral Vascular Abnormality - any condition which is severe and/or symptomatic may cause the applicant to be excluded, e.g. arterial insufficiency, deep or superficial vein thrombophlebitis, Reynaud's disease.
8.2.5. Heart and Cardiovascular System
8.2.5.1. Congenital Heart Disease - if the applicant's functional work capacity is unimpaired, then the condition may not cause the applicant to be excluded.
8.2.5.2. Valvular Heart Disease - includes significant valvular insufficiency, significant septal defects (any valve), and prolapsing mitral valve (symptomatic).
8.2.5.3. Coronary Artery Disease.
8.2.5.4. ECG Abnormalities (if associated with organic heart disease) - including but not limited to: WPW Syndrome, ST Depression, Partial or Complete Left Bundle Branch Blocks, 3 Degree A-V Block, Mobitz Type II A-V Blocks, Sinoatrial Block or Sick Sinus Syndrome, Ventricular Extrasystole (frequent - 20/minute with exercise, 10/minute without exercise), Ventricular Tachycardia, Atrial Fibrillation or Flutter, Episodic Supraventricular Tachycardia or Consistent Supraventricular Tachycardia at Rest or Persistent After Exercise Even if Asymptomatic.
8.2.5.5. Angina.
8.2.5.6. Congestive Heart Failure.
8.2.5.7. Cardiomyopathy.
8.2.5.8. Pericarditis, Endocarditis, and Myocarditis.
8.2.6. Respiratory System
8.2.6.1. The applicant's respiratory system must be free of chronically disabling conditions that would interfere with the applicant's ability to perform the duties attendant to the position of state police officer.
8.2.6.2. Infectious or Potentially Infectious Pulmonary Tuberculosis.
8.2.6.3. Chronic Bronchitis.
8.2.6.4. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.
8.2.6.5. Emphysema.
8.2.6.6. Restrictive Lung Diseases.
8.2.6.7. Bronchiectasis and Pneumothorax (current or repeated history)
8.2.6.8. Pneumonectomy.
8.2.6.9. Acute Mycotic Diseases - including, but not limited to, Coccidioidomycosis and Histoplasmosis.
8.2.6.10. Acute Pleurisy.
8.2.6.11. Malignant Disease - any condition which may interfere with the applicant's ability to perform the duties attendant to the position of state police officer must be noted.
8.2.7. Gastrointestinal System
8.2.7.1. Colitis - including but not limited to Crohn's Disease, Ulcerative Colitis, Irritable Bowel Syndrome (symptomatic or needing medication), and Bacterial Colitis.
8.2.7.2. Diverticulitis.
8.2.7.3. Esophageal Disorders - including, but not limited to, Esophageal Stricture, Lower Esophageal Ring and Esophageal Spasm. If the applicant's condition is controlled, then the condition is non-disqualifying.
8.2.7.4. Pancreatitis.
8.2.7.5. Gall Bladder Disorders.
8.2.7.6. Active Peptic Ulcers.
8.2.7.7. Symptomatic Inguinal, Umbilical, Ventral, Femoral, or Incisional Hernias.
8.2.7.8. Malignant Disease of the Liver, Gall Bladder, Pancreas, Esophagus, Stomach, Small or Large Bowel, Rectum, or Anus.
8.2.7.9. Gastrointestinal Bleeding.
8.2.7.10. Active or Chronic Hepatitis.
8.2.7.11. Cirrhosis of the Liver.
8.2.7.12. Motility Disorders, e.g. Scleroderma.

If any of the above or gastro-intestinal conditions are controlled, then they may not cause the applicant to be excluded.

8.2.8. Genitourinary System
8.2.8.1. The examining physician is to note any conditions which may interfere with the applicant's ability to perform the duties attendant to the position of state police officer.
8.2.8.2. Pregnancy - the examining physician should record if the applicant is pregnant.
8.2.8.3. Nephrectomy - if an applicant possesses this condition with normal natural renal function, then the condition is non-disqualifying.
8.2.8.4. Acute Nephritis.
8.2.8.5. Nephrotic Syndrome.
8.2.8.6. Acute Renal/Urinary Calculi.
8.2.8.7. Renal Transplant.
8.2.8.8. Renal Failure.
8.2.8.9. Hydrocele and Varicocele (Symptomatic).
8.2.8.10. Malignant Diseases of Bladder, Kidney, Ureter, Cervix, Ovaries, Breasts, Prostate, etc.
8.2.8.11. Active Venereal Diseases.
8.2.8.12 Urinary Tract Infection.
8.2.8.13. Polycystic Kidney Disease.
8.2.8.14. Pelvic Inflammatory Disorders.
8.2.8.15. Endometriosis.
8.2.8.16. Inflammatory Disorders, e.g. prostatitis, orchitis, epididymitis.
8.2.8.17. Scleroderma.
8.2.9. Endocrine and Metabolic Systems
8.2.9.1. Uncontrolled Thyroid Disease.
8.2.9.2. Diabetes Mellitus - potential excludability requires a case by case assessment by a physician designated by the State Police as to the control of diabetes and presence and severity of symptoms and complications.
8.2.9.3. Adrenal Dysfunction - including, but not limited to, Addison's Disease and Cushing's Disease.
8.2.9.4. Insulin Reactions.
8.2.9.5. Untreated Thyroid Malignancy.
8.2.10. Musculoskeletal System
8.2.10.1. The examining physician is to note any condition which may interfere with the applicant's ability to perform the duties attendant to the position of state police officer.
8.2.10.2. Disorders that Limit Motor Function.
8.2.10.3. Cervical Spine or Lumbosacral Fusion.
8.2.10.4. Degenerative Cervical or Lumbar Disc Disease (if symptomatic).
8.2.10.5. Extremity Amputation.
8.2.10.6. Osteomyelitis.
8.2.10.7. Muscular Dystrophy.
8.2.10.8. Loss in the Motor Ability from Tendon or Nerve Injury/Surgery - in an area relevant to the applicant's performing the essential tasks of the job.
8.2.10.9. Arthritis - if the applicant possesses this condition with no functional impairment, then the condition is non-excludable.
8.2.10.10. Coordinated Balance.
8.2.10.11. Symptomatic Herniated Disc.
8.2.10.12. Spinal Deviations.
8.2.11. Hematopoietic and Lymphatic Systems
8.2.11.1. Hematopoietic Disorders (including malignancies), e.g. SCD, thalassemia, G6PD, etc.
8.2.11.2. Hemophilia.
8.2.12. Nervous System
8.2.12.1. The applicant must be free of any disorder which may interfere with performing the duties attendant to the position of state police officer.
8.2.12.2. Seizure Disorder (all types).
8.2.12.3. Cerebral Palsy.
8.2.12.4. Movement Disorders, e.g. Parkinson's.
8.2.12.5. Cerebral Aneurysms.
8.2.12.6. Syncope.
8.2.12.7. Progressive Neurological Diseases - including, but not limited to, Multiple Sclerosis and Huntington's Chorea.
8.2.12.8. Peripheral Nerve Disorder - including, but not limited to, Polyneuritis, Mononeuritis, and Neurofibromatosis.
8.2.12.9. Narcolepsy.
8.2.12.10. Cerebral Vascular Accident.
8.2.12.11. Central Nervous System Infections.
8.2.13. Any condition that requires further evaluation beyond that offered by the State Police's physician shall be conducted at the applicant's expense.
8.3. The Cadet Selection Board may exclude those applicants who, in the opinion of the examining physician, possess any medical condition that would preclude the applicant from performing the duties attendant to the position of state police officer. The Cadet Selection Board shall remove those applicants excluded during the medical screening stage, and present a rank ordered list to the Superintendent.

W. Va. Code R. § 81-2-8