I posted this query under the HP Washing guide thread but I think it'll get abit more exposure here, any help for the above questions would be much appreciated!
1) it's not guaranteed. There are enough minor inconsistencies in that guide and misleading statements due to poor wording that it really should be re-written, but it still hasn't been. You gain a 4 point range of HP per reset used, you've just gotten unlucky so far. Also, the resets will always show you a fixed number, but you will actually gain in a range, so make sure to check your before and after HP rather than just going with what the reset says. 2)When you're entirely done washing, you take the point out of MP and reset it back into primary stat. You're just 1 point weaker until then.
Did you max Improving HP in 1st job? Did you actually put the point in, or are you just looking at the preview HP within the AP reset? I think the AP reset doesn't show the effect from Improving HP, but you will get the full ~50 HP once you actually reset.