What is an SAP?
The US Department of Transportation (DOT) regulation — 49 CFR Part 40 — defines the Substance Abuse Professional (SAP) as a person who evaluates employees who have violated a DOT drug and alcohol regulation and makes recommendations concerning education, treatment, follow-up testing, and aftercare. In order to be an SAP, you need to have certain credentials, possess specific knowledge, receive training, and achieve a passing score on a DOT approved examination.
What is the Return To Duty (RTD) process?
Return to Duty” process refers to a series of steps an employee must complete after failing a DOT drug or alcohol test, involving an evaluation by a Substance Abuse Professional (SAP) to determine if they can return to a safety-sensitive position, typically requiring treatment, education, and follow-up testing before being allowed back to work; this process is crucial for ensuring public safety in transportation industries regulated by the Department of Transportation (DOT).
What are the 6 Steps of the Return to Duty Process?
Below are the 6 steps involved in the return to duty process. However, the client will complete the first 4 steps with his SAP. The client must complete step 5, the return to duty drug or alcohol test and step 6, the RTD follow-up testing schedule with his employer. The SAP will provide the RTD follow-up testing schedule to the employer, which the client cannot receive.
6 Steps for the DOT Return To Duty Process
- Designate an SAP in the DOT Clearinghouse.
- SAP accepts your request.
- The SAP will schedule an initial evaluation and determine a suitable program for you. This could include:
- Online substance abuse education classes
- An outpatient treatment program
- An inpatient treatment program
- Clients must complete all recommended education or treatment programs before returning for a follow-up evaluation.
- Follow-up evaluation. SAP will authorize you to return to duty (RTD). You will be required to submit a negative drug and/or alcohol test to regain your status as non-prohibited driver
- Follow-Up Testing Schedule. The SAP will create a required follow-up testing schedule to ensure ongoing compliance.
Who are applicable for Return to Duty process?
According to DOT regulations, any employee in a safety-sensitive position who tests positive for drugs or alcohol, refuses a drug or alcohol test, or is found to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol while on duty must go through the “return to duty” process, which involves an evaluation by a Substance Abuse Professional (SAP) and may include required treatment or education before they can return to their job.
Who will pay for the Return to duty process?
It depends on the employer’s policy, if it says that the company will pay for the return to duty process then employers are obligated to pay for it otherwise the employee has to bear the expense.
Do employees on prescribed medications undergo RTD?
“DOT” in the context of prescription drugs for safety-sensitive employees refers to the U.S. Department of Transportation, which regulates drug testing for employees in safety-sensitive positions like truck drivers, pilots, and railroad operators, meaning they can require employees to disclose their prescription medications if they could potentially impair their ability to perform their job safely; if a concern arises, the employee’s doctor must communicate with a Medical Review Officer (MRO) to assess the situation and determine if the employee can continue working safely.
What is the difference between the Return to duty test and the Pre-employment test?
The main difference between both is that a pre-employment test screens potential candidates for drug or alcohol use before they are hired on the job, while a return-to-duty test is conducted on employees who have previously tested positive or violated the company’s substance abuse policy and are seeking to resume their job responsibilities.
How can substance misuse impact the critical thinking of safety-sensitive employees?
Impaired judgment and reduced situational awareness affect overall decision-making abilities. Essentially, any substance (legal or illegal) that alters the mind has the potential to impact judgment.
How does substance misuse affect job performance
Various effects include impaired judgment, decreased concentration, slower reaction times, increased risk-taking behavior, decreased coordination and balance, impaired vision, impaired hearing, impaired memory function, and impaired speech. These effects can have disastrous results, especially in safety-sensitive positions. Substance misuse can impair the following: reaction time, critical thinking, judgment of time and distance, coordination, and attention/focus.
Who potentially suffers from an accident caused by a single substance misuse incident?
Various individuals and groups – Driver/operator – Passengers Pedestrians – Families and loved ones – Emergency service employees – The employer – company/organization – The wider community. Overall, a single incident of substance misuse can have far-reaching negative effects.
State initiatives do not affect the Department of Transportation’s Drug and Alcohol Regulation – 49 CFR Part 40. True or False?
True. Marijuana remains a drug listed in Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act. DOT does not authorize the use of Schedule I drugs, including marijuana, for any reason.
How substance misuse incident can have life-changing effects on you?
Loss of life, job loss, licenses, injury, death, family, criminal charges, fines, incarceration, reputation, relationships, mental and physical health.
