A sap substance abuse professional is an advocate for neither the employer nor the worker. Their recommendations protect the general public safety if the worker returns to the performance of safety-sensitive functions.
- A DOT recognized drug abuse Professional must be one among the following:
- A licensed physician (Doctor of drugs or Osteopathy)
- A licensed or certified caseworker
- A licensed or certified psychologist
- A licensed or certified employee assistance professional
- An alcohol and substance abuse counsellor **
This program includes information on the nine required content areas designated in DOT Section 281(c) of Part 40. Content areas include a summary of the DOT drug and alcohol testing program, the drug and alcohol testing rules, and key DOT drug testing requirements.
WHAT DOES An SAP DOT?
The SAP’s fundamental responsibility is to supply a comprehensive face-to-face assessment and clinical evaluation to determine the level of assistance the worker needs to resolve problems related to alcohol use or prohibited drug use. The SAP then recommends a course of education and/or treatment with which the worker must demonstrate successful compliance before returning to DOT safety-sensitive duty.
Treatment recommendations can include but aren’t limited to In-patient treatment, partial in-patient treatment, out-patient treatment, education schemes, and aftercare. Education recommendations can include but aren’t limited to bona find drug and alcohol education courses, self-help groups, and community lectures. Upon determining the simplest recommendation for assistance, the SAP will function as a referral source to help the employee enter a suitable program.
Before the employee’s return to safety-sensitive duties, the SAP will have a face-to-face follow-up evaluation with the worker to work out if the individual has demonstrated successful compliance with recommendations of the initial evaluation.
This evaluation must be accomplished before an employer can consider the worker for return to safety-sensitive functions. Therefore, the evaluation serves to supply the employer with assurance that the worker has made appropriate clinical progress sufficient to return to duty.
