TIPS FOR DEPARTING OFWs

POEA CHECKLIST OF REQUIREMENTS

This was effective May 16, 2012, so there might be changes made thereafter.

PREPARE YOUR DOCUMENTS!

Here is the checklist of the basic documents you need to prepare so that applying to the US as a Medical Technologist will be smooth sailing.

· HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA

Where: Your high school 

I somehow lost the original, so I went to my high school alma mater and asked for a certified copy.  I had to pay a certain amount for it.  I think I asked 2 certified copies from them, one for my keeping and one they had to submit directly to CGFNS for the VisaScreen.

· DIPLOMA OF BSMT

Where: Your college

I believe you have this on hand once you graduate the 4 year course.  Usually agents or employers just need a clear copy or a scanned copy of this.

· TRANSCRIPT OF SCHOOL RECORDS

Where: Your college

You have to ask for at least 2 certified copies of this to be sent to your agent/employer and to the Foreign Credential evaluating company.  I think you also have to ask them to send a certified copy directly to CGFNS for the VisaScreen.

· FOREIGN CREDENTIAL EVALUATION

Where: WES or JSILNY

I chose JSILNY because it was cheaper that time.  Click HERE to download and print the application form.  It contains all the instructions already.  Shown below was my application status.

· PRC MEDTECH CERTIFICATE

Where: PRC 

I believe you have this on hand once you pass the board exam.  Usually agents or employers just need a clear copy or a scanned copy of this.

· PRC MEDTECH BOARD RATING

Where: PRC 

I believe you have this on hand once you pass the board exam.  Usually agents or employers just need a clear copy or a scanned copy of this.

· AMT or ASCPi CERTIFICATE and SCORE REPORT

Where: AMT or ASCPi 

Most of us took the test for the ASCPi.  The certificate is valid for 3 years and you can renew it thereafter by paying a fee and maintaining a certain amount of CEU.  I will discuss more on the process of taking the ASCPi in another post.  Usually agents or employers just need a clear copy or a scanned copy of this.

· ENGLISH LANGUAGE COMPETENCY

Where: TOEFL or IELTS

Most of us took IELTS.  It is valid for 2 years.  Basically, it is just needed to complete the VisaScreen application.  Your employer may also need a clear or scanned copy of the results/certificate.  I may post a detailed discussion on this someday.

· CERTIFICATE OF EMPLOYMENT

Where: Employer

You need at least 2 years of employment preferably in a tertiary hospital as a generalist.  You also need to ask for a Job Description which I believe you can get from the HR department.

· RESUME

Where: Yourself

When I made my resume, I learned that I should not put photos on them.  However, some agency prefer to have some photos posted, so it really just depends.  Some also prefer to have at least 3 character references.

· PASSPORT

Where: DFA (Department of Foreign Affair)

At the time I processed my passport it was only valid for 5 years.  I heard it has now extended to 10 years.  Usually agents or employers just need a clear copy or a scanned copy of the first page of the passport.

· BIRTH CERTIFICATE

Where: PSA (Philippine Statistic Authority)

I already have a bunch of certified copies of my birth certificate so this was really a no-brainer for me.   Usually agents or employers just need a clear copy or a scanned copy of this.  If you are married, you may need to get a hand of your MARRIAGE CERTIFICATE as well.

· NBI CLEARANCE

Where: NBI (National Bureau of Investigation)

It is only valid for 6 months.  I forgot if this was really required but I remember lining up for this for something.

· VISASCREEN CERTIFICATE

Where: CGFNS
Prepare the following documents: secondary school diploma, college diploma and TOR, PRC certificate, IELTS and ASCPi/AMT certificate.  Honestly, this was the most challenging thing I had to process.  It was just too complicated for me on top of it being sooooo expensive.  I had to pay 540 USD for the application.  It was no spare money for me at that time.  It was like almost 3 months worth of my salary working as a Medtech in the Philippines.  Anyhoo, too much for that.  Again, I'll talk more on that in another post.  Basically, this is valid for 5 years and renewable for a certain fee.  Usually agents or employers just need a clear copy or a scanned copy of this.   

STEP BY STEP US VISA INTERVIEW

From the Hotel (Hotel 101 near MOA), we left 7:40 AM and arrived by 8:00 AM by the bridge.  It costs us P 120.00 for the Taxi.  This happened on May 18, 2016 (Wednesday).

Picture taking is prohibited.  My schedule for the interview was 9 AM and I was all done by 9:30 AM.  The whole process was really smooth but nerve-racking  at the same time.

1.  Gate opens 15 minutes before the schedule.  Present your passport & confirmation letter.

2.  Leave your gadgets behind!

3.  STEP 1(initial screening) - present passport, confirm. letter and NOA

4.  STEP 2(fingerprint capture)

5.  STEP 3(interview)
     Here are possible questions that will be asked:

• What's your name and birthdate?
• What state will you be working?
• What will your work be?
• What course did you take and when did you graduate?
• Have you practiced your profession prior to applying for the job in the US?
• How much will your pay be?
• How many hours will you work? (I think I answered 8 hours, hehehe..maybe it should have been 40 hours per week?)
• Have you read your rights as a nonimmigrant worker? (You will be provided a booklet on this.) 
  

• Who will keep your passport? (Of course, you should say that YOU will keep it.)

6.  PASS! They will take your passport & it'll be sent back approx. 1 week after through 2go.

(Mine arrived by Friday, the next week.)

  

GETTING READY TO WORK IN THE USA AS A MEDTECH

Steps:

1. Prepare documents : IELTS, ASCPI, VisaScreen , Credential evaluation(JSilny or WES) and certifications.
2.  Have at least 2 years of experience in the laboratory preferably as a generalist.
3.  Look for job openings online preferably in non-profit US hospitals or acquire assistance from an agent (for direct hire), placement agency (MedPro Staffing, Passport USA, etc) or ask referral from your former coworkers who have worked in the US already.
4. Pass the interview of your prospective employer (through skype, phone call, etc.)
5. Employer will file the H1B petition at   USCIS.  Once completed, documents will be sent to you.
6. Schedule for a US Visa interview at the US embassy in Manila.  Payment will be done through MRVP.
7. Complete the POEA requirements, medical certification and PDOS.
8. Book your ticket.
9. Hello US of A.  Get your SSN right away.

UPDATE: TIMELINE FROM PHILIPPINES TO US

Hi there! (Whoever is reading this)

This is a long overdue blog update.

I have long been wanting to maintain a blog to keep a record on my progress in....umm progress in life? But I keep on kicking this plan to the curb.  I got too distracted with watching vlogs, anime and Korean shows.😉

Anyhoo, back to the main goal for today.  Here is my timeline in my journey as a medtech =):

April 2012 – Graduated BSMT

Sept 2012 – Passed Board Exam

Oct 2012 – Work @ a private tertiary hospital (Full time MedTech in Microbio)

June 2014 – Work @ a medical school (Part-time Faculty)

Aug 2014 – Passed ASCPi

Sept 2014 – Work @ another medical school (Part-time Clinical Instructor)

Aug 2015 – Passed IELTS

Dec 2015 – Acquired VisaScreen Cert.

Feb 2016 – Passed interview @ US hospital and acquired State License 

March 2016 – Resigned from the hospital and schools that I served

May 2016 – Passed interview @ US embassy

June 2016 -  Hello US of A!

The whole process was actually challenging yet fun.  Whenever there is a thing that I need to accomplish, I always treat it like how I challenge myself when I used to play computer games (I say used to since I now somehow gave up on computer games..ahem).  You know how computer games have quests that needed to be completed before proceeding to the next round?  That was the same thing with me complying with all the requirements just to set foot here in the USA as a Medical Technologist.  I get the same thrill whenever I get one thing accomplished as when I completed a level in a game.  

It took me around 4 years to transition  as a Medical Technologist in the Philippines to a Medical Technologist here in the US.  I think it took me longer compared to most of the Medtech I know that took the same route.  Some were even able to do this in the span of 2 years.

I will post more details on this whole process.  I will try to make this a daily thing.  I think it Is therapeutic for me. =)

PS: I know it may sound cliché but if possible, I really just want to work and stay In the Philippines but the money is here sooooo…..yeah!  I guess that will be a great topic in another blog post.