A substance use professional (SAP), as defined by the Department of Transportation (DOT) is a person who evaluates employees who have violated the DOT’s alcohol. It also includes the violation of drug policy and establishes criteria for therapy, education, testing after treatment, and aftercare. To pass the test you need to have a specified set of credentials. Also with a certain set of qualities and knowledge, to finish the training.
Sometimes an employer must decide where to put a worker
- behind the wheel of a school bus
- in the cockpit of an airplane
- at the helm of an oil tanker
- at the throttle of a train
- in the engineering compartment of a subway car
- or at the emergency control valves of a natural gas pipeline
You, as an SAP, represent the key decision point (and, in some cases, the only decision point).
When deciding whether to keep a worker in the public sector, an employer may use an SAP. As SAP provides analysis and assessment. And in some cases, the only assessment SAP has is a huge obligation to the general population.
Process for SAP Evaluation
An SAP evaluation is rather simple. A plan that may involve education and/or treatment is first created by the SAP (Substance use Professional). They then deliver a report giving their suggestions to your company. Also keeping track of your progress as you carry out the strategy. When you meet in person for a follow-up SAP examination following your therapy, the SAP will then determine whether or not you can clear to take a return-to-duty test.
As part of the return-to-duty procedure, the employer must now conduct an observed drug test. If the employee’s test results come back negative, the employer is free to reinstate them in their responsibilities that involve danger. Any employee who passes a drug and/or alcohol test upon returning to work should take additional tests. These tests are throughout the course of the subsequent 12 months of employment. You need SAP by regulations to put up a minimum of six random tests over a 12-month period. However, if a SAP has cause to suspect that a breach might occur again. They may choose to request any number of unannounced tests over the course of 60 months.
Employees who fail the SAP return-to-duty test are considering repeat offenders. And must go through the full process again. If a SAP believes an employee has not followed their treatment plan, they also have the power to issue an employer a complaint of non-compliance.
THE FORMULA FOR REFERRAL
The SAP’s recommendation of the employee to the right programme following the evaluation is crucial. The needs of the employee as determined by a clinical evaluation should be taken into consideration. Other conditions like employee insurance coverage, employee ability to pay for care, employer treatment contracts, company policy about availability of leave for employees needing assistance, and accessibility of treatment and education programmes should also be taken into account by the SAP.
The SAP should be familiar with reputable programmes and trained counsellors. The SAP may allow the employee to choose the facility or practice from a list of providers. Those providers who have been approved by the SAP when a variety of relevant treatment programmes are accessible in the employee’s locality.
Because of this, the rules do not prevent the SAP from referring an employee to:
- A public organisation (such as an outpatient treatment facility run by a State, county, or municipality);
- A person employed by or under contract to the employer to provide alcohol and drug treatment and/or education services (such as the employer’s contracted treatment provider);
These restrictions are meant to make sure that the SAP receives no financial gain in any way from the recommendation. Additionally, the SAP must maintain neutrality while assessing what truly qualifies as a dependable resource. It is because the SAP must be aware of reliable treatment resources.
Locate a DOT SAP Evaluation Near Me Easily
Some positions are regarded as DOT-mandated safety-sensitive positions. The Federal Railroad Administration, the United States Coast Guard, the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, the Federal Aviation Administration, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, and the Federal Transit Administration all employ these people. If you work in this business and occupy a DOT-mandated safety-sensitive position, you will frequently be subject to drug and alcohol testing. You might look for a “DOT SAP Evaluation Near Me” if you fail or refuse to take a test.
Understanding DOT Testing Procedures
When it comes to the regulations around drug and alcohol testing, the DOT is extremely clear. All employees are expected to submit to a drug and alcohol test prior to employment, upon request, and occasionally after certain sorts of incidences. Employees who fail the test or refuse to take it will have their jobs immediately suspended.
After failing or refusing to take a drug or alcohol test, most employees become anxious. But the DOT has established a clear path that will make it possible for you to go back to work. You need to finish the return-to-duty procedure. Employees are first subjected to a trained and Qualified SAP evaluation (Substance use Professional).
What medical care and/or educational interventions required are then decided by SAP. After you have followed the suggestions, the SAP will reevaluate you. If they determine that you performed the required actions, they will permit you to take a return-to-duty test.
Choosing FastTrack Enrollment to Locate a DOT SAP Near Me Has Many Advantages
Do you require an SAP to start the return-to-duty process at this time? Searching online for “a DOT SAP nearby me” will save you from taking a chance. If the SAP you discover has allowed its DOT certifications to lapse, you will have to go through the full procedure again.
You can visit SAP Evaluation LLC at www.sapevaluation.org or give us a call at 1-800-683-7745 if you’d like to learn more.
