What is it about ?
All students of 1time and 2th kindergarten, from 1time, 3th and 5th primary, and 1time and 3th secondary school undergo a medical examination organized by the team of the PMS center (psycho-medico-social center). This team is made up of a doctor, a psychologist, a nurse and a social worker and regularly monitors the state of health of the children.
During the last medical examination, around the age of 14, the team pays particular attention to health factors that may influence or limit the child’s future professional choices. If necessary, a training plan is drawn up in collaboration with the pupil concerned, parents, teachers and possibly other bodies, such as social security or an employment agency.
What exams are performed?
- The PMS center team draws up a file containing the pupil’s chronic ailments and symptoms, his expectations and training plans, his academic results and any learning problems.
- During a medical examination, we assess whether the child hears well, sees well and perceives colors well.
- We have observed the limitations related to health. If necessary, the child is referred to one or more specialists for additional examinations, such as allergy tests, an eye exam, etc.
Health factors that limit the choice of a profession
The choice of a profession is personal and depends on the expectations and motivation of the student. Actual restrictions are rather rare and are often related to the safety or prevention of the transmission of contagious diseases. For example, a child with epilepsy will not be able to become a forklift driver or pilot. In most cases, the team gives advice, which the pupil and his parents are free to take into account or not. There may be obstacles, but these can be overcome by various workplace arrangements.
Some factors to take into account:
- Atopic dermatitis and eczema on the hands: the mild forms do not represent a restriction, for example when the eczema only appears in winter and does not affect the hands. Students who suffer from it all year round and have lesions on their hands cannot practice a profession where the hands are constantly in contact with chemicals or dirty water, where the hands must be washed often or which requires wear rubber or plastic gloves. Some examples include: hairdressing, nursing, body care, the food industry, cleaning, handling chemicals, and surface finishing work such as painting. A contact allergy limits tasks involving contact with allergens such as nickel, rubber, vegetables, fruits, spices, etc. It is also advisable to avoid any contact with the flour (bakery) and the animals (breeding, refuge, …).
- Asthma and hay fever: mild asthma, well controlled with medication, is not a restriction. A few simple measures, such as wearing a mask or gloves, can often prevent contact with the triggers. In more serious forms with attacks of breathlessness or forms requiring a lot of medication, exposure to flour (bakery), animals (cats, grooming), textiles (sewing workshop, carpet making) should be avoided. ) and wood (carpentry). Hair can also make the problem worse (hairdressers). Finally, people with severe asthma should preferably avoid strenuous physical work and limit working time in a cold or humid environment.
- Visual disturbances: Reduced vision that can be completely corrected by glasses is not a problem. Defects in visual acuity and / or color perception may constitute a restriction for exercising certain occupations, such as personnel employed on ships, trains and planes, certain functions in the police and the army, laborers in electricity, painters and people working in the graphic industry (illustrators), laboratory technicians and cosmetics specialists who work with colors, professions in the art world, … If a student wishes despite while exercising any of these professions, he must pass a comprehensive eye examination, on the basis of which advice will be formulated.
- Hearing problems: good hearing is an absolute necessity in certain branches of transport, such as navigation, aviation and rail, as well as for road professionals. If the hearing loss is due to an inner ear condition, it is not recommended to work in a noisy environment. Continuous noise can indeed increase damage. It is recommended to seek the advice of an ear specialist (ENT).
- Epilepsy: people with epilepsy cannot work in the transport sector (navigation, aviation, road professionals). If epileptic seizures are completely controlled with appropriate medication, all other professions can in principle be practiced. If the seizures persist despite the treatment, the student should avoid occupations involving safety risks and direct dangers such as falls (roofing, construction) and burns (firefighters), handling heavy and dangerous machinery, etc. .
- Others: The situation of people with diabetes, rheumatism, heart disease, neurological conditions or other rare diseases should always be considered on a case-by-case basis. A person who self-injects insulin will only be able to become a road professional if their diabetes is under control. An addiction to alcohol or drugs is a restriction in many professions, especially in terms of safety risks. Mental disorders and learning problems must also be taken into account when choosing a future job.
The importance of collaboration
It is absolutely necessary that the people concerned collaborate, in particular the pupil, the parents, the teachers and the collaborators of the PMS center. If necessary, additional examinations can be carried out, seek the advice of people active in recruitment and organize company visits or trial internships.
The doctor can establish a certificate listing the major disorders and handicaps for the choice of a profession and the possible and impossible types of employment. This is a free certificate, without binding value. The person in question can be very motivated and decide to try their luck anyway, even if the profession they want to practice is not recommended. Provided, of course, that the limits imposed by law allow it.
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