Understanding Employer Screening Needs – Non-DOT vs DOT Screening, Drug Tests, MROs, and More
As an employer, it is your responsibility to ensure a safe and healthy work environment for all employees. One of the most crucial ways to guarantee that safety is pre-employment screening and occasional regular screening for all employees. But with many different types of drug tests available and the need to comply with various regulations and standards, it’s easy to get confused about which screening options to choose. This blog post is designed to demystify the process and provide you with everything you need to know about employer screening needs.
Need to order a test today? Call our knowledgeable support staff at 844-573-8378 or [email protected] or press on link to order a service now: Order Here
Non-DOT vs. DOT Drug Screening
The first thing to consider when it comes to employee screening is whether you need Non-DOT or DOT screening. If your organization doesn’t have to comply with the US Department of Transportation (DOT) Drug and Alcohol Testing Regulations, you can opt for non-DOT or non-reg screening. The latter is more comprehensive and complies with the DOT regulations. DOT drug testing helps to ensure the safety of everyone who shares the road with commercial drivers and other safety sensitive employees. When it comes to DOT screening, make sure you follow all the requirements, including using only approved laboratories and Medical Review Officer or MRO services to interpret positive test results.
What Is a 5-Panel Drug Test?
A 5 panel drug test screens for five specific categories of drugs that are most commonly abused: THC, cocaine, amphetamines, opiates, and PCP. If you have an entry-level position or a job that doesn’t involve heavy machinery and driving, a 5-panel drug test will suffice in checking your employees’ history of drug use.
What Is a 10-Panel Drug Test?
For a higher level of detail, a 10 panel drug test provides testing for ten different categories of drugs that are commonly abused. In addition to the five drugs included in the 5-panel test, this test is designed to detect barbiturates, benzodiazepines, methadone, methaqualone and propoxyphene. These drugs are typically found in prescription medications, which are often abused by employees or candidates who are seeking work.
Hair Follicle Drug Testing
If your organization is looking for a comprehensive screening option, hair follicle drug testing might be a suitable option. Hair tests provide an accurate and long-term record of an individual’s drug history for up to 90 days depending on the length of the individual’s hair. It’s important to note that while hair sample drug tests are accurate, they may not detect recent drug use as effectively as urine tests as it takes 10 days for drugs to grow into the shaft of the hair. Additionally, some individuals may have limited hair samples, which means you may also need urine or oral fluids to supplement the results of hair follicle drug tests effectively. Hair testing has the highest positive rate due to length of detection and being an observed collection.
Oral Fluid Drug Testing
Oral fluid drug testing is also a viable option for employers to check drug usage in the workplace. The test is non-invasive, painless, and can detect drugs in an individual’s saliva. It is also ideal for post-accident testing. Testing can be performed using a mouth swab or saliva collection. The test can also detect drug use in as little as 30 minutes. Oral fluids is also an observed collection and can provide more positives as it thwarts drug testing cheaters. As of this writing, Oral Fluid Drug testing has been approved by DOT. # major components must happen before an employer can use Oral Fluid Drug Testing for DOT Testing:
- Device must be approved
- Labs must be trained, inspected and certified (two of these labs must utilize the same device)
- DOT collectors must be trained and certified with DOT Oral Fluid Drug Testing
Medical Review Officer (MRO)
In addition to choosing the right drug test format, it’s also crucial to ensure that you secure the services of a certified Medical Review Officer. MROs ensure that drug testing processes are compliant with DOT requirements, interpret test results, and provide reports to employers. MROs play a critical role in drug testing programs, particularly when an employee tests positive. The MRO evaluates circumstances that may compromise a test and rules out any medical conditions or medications that could result in a false positive test.
The FMCSA Clearinghouse
The FMCSA Clearinghouse is an online database that keeps track of commercial truck and bus drivers’ drug and alcohol test violations of FMCSA Drivers. This database also includes information about drivers who have completed return-to-duty programs and follow-up testing. As an employer, you must register with the Clearinghouse and perform queries to ensure that the commercial motor vehicle drivers you employ are safe to operate on the road. With this tool, employers can request information about previous drug and alcohol test results and, if needed, address any drivers with a history of violations. All FMCSA employers must register for the Clearinghouse FMCSA and perform pre-employment & annual queries.
The safety and productivity of your staff is paramount, and employee screening is one of the essential investments your organization can make. By opting for DOT or Non-DOT drug screening, including oral fluid or hair follicle testing, choosing the right panel drug tests. When enrolling new staff or conducting routine tests, ensuring that you have an MRO review the test results, anticipating the FMCSA Clearinghouse if regulated by the FMCSA, you are taking the necessary steps to adhere to various regulations and ensure the safety and well-being of all employees. Need to Order a drug test today or need assistance with your employee screening program? Contact our knowledgeable support staff today at 844-573-8378 or [email protected] or press on link below to order a service now: Order Here
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Employee Screening Needs
Understanding Employer Screening Needs – Non-DOT vs DOT Screening, Drug Tests, MROs, and More
As an employer, it is your responsibility to ensure a safe and healthy work environment for all employees. One of the most crucial ways to guarantee that safety is pre-employment screening and occasional regular screening for all employees. But with many different types of drug tests available and the need to comply with various regulations and standards, it’s easy to get confused about which screening options to choose. This blog post is designed to demystify the process and provide you with everything you need to know about employer screening needs.
Need to order a test today? Call our knowledgeable support staff at 844-573-8378 or [email protected] or press on link to order a service now: Order Here
Non-DOT vs. DOT Drug Screening
The first thing to consider when it comes to employee screening is whether you need Non-DOT or DOT screening. If your organization doesn’t have to comply with the US Department of Transportation (DOT) Drug and Alcohol Testing Regulations, you can opt for non-DOT or non-reg screening. The latter is more comprehensive and complies with the DOT regulations. DOT drug testing helps to ensure the safety of everyone who shares the road with commercial drivers and other safety sensitive employees. When it comes to DOT screening, make sure you follow all the requirements, including using only approved laboratories and Medical Review Officer or MRO services to interpret positive test results.
What Is a 5-Panel Drug Test?
A 5 panel drug test screens for five specific categories of drugs that are most commonly abused: THC, cocaine, amphetamines, opiates, and PCP. If you have an entry-level position or a job that doesn’t involve heavy machinery and driving, a 5-panel drug test will suffice in checking your employees’ history of drug use.
What Is a 10-Panel Drug Test?
For a higher level of detail, a 10 panel drug test provides testing for ten different categories of drugs that are commonly abused. In addition to the five drugs included in the 5-panel test, this test is designed to detect barbiturates, benzodiazepines, methadone, methaqualone and propoxyphene. These drugs are typically found in prescription medications, which are often abused by employees or candidates who are seeking work.
Hair Follicle Drug Testing
If your organization is looking for a comprehensive screening option, hair follicle drug testing might be a suitable option. Hair tests provide an accurate and long-term record of an individual’s drug history for up to 90 days depending on the length of the individual’s hair. It’s important to note that while hair sample drug tests are accurate, they may not detect recent drug use as effectively as urine tests as it takes 10 days for drugs to grow into the shaft of the hair. Additionally, some individuals may have limited hair samples, which means you may also need urine or oral fluids to supplement the results of hair follicle drug tests effectively. Hair testing has the highest positive rate due to length of detection and being an observed collection.
Oral Fluid Drug Testing
Oral fluid drug testing is also a viable option for employers to check drug usage in the workplace. The test is non-invasive, painless, and can detect drugs in an individual’s saliva. It is also ideal for post-accident testing. Testing can be performed using a mouth swab or saliva collection. The test can also detect drug use in as little as 30 minutes. Oral fluids is also an observed collection and can provide more positives as it thwarts drug testing cheaters. As of this writing, Oral Fluid Drug testing has been approved by DOT. # major components must happen before an employer can use Oral Fluid Drug Testing for DOT Testing:
- Device must be approved
- Labs must be trained, inspected and certified (two of these labs must utilize the same device)
- DOT collectors must be trained and certified with DOT Oral Fluid Drug Testing
Medical Review Officer (MRO)
In addition to choosing the right drug test format, it’s also crucial to ensure that you secure the services of a certified Medical Review Officer. MROs ensure that drug testing processes are compliant with DOT requirements, interpret test results, and provide reports to employers. MROs play a critical role in drug testing programs, particularly when an employee tests positive. The MRO evaluates circumstances that may compromise a test and rules out any medical conditions or medications that could result in a false positive test.
The FMCSA Clearinghouse
The FMCSA Clearinghouse is an online database that keeps track of commercial truck and bus drivers’ drug and alcohol test violations of FMCSA Drivers. This database also includes information about drivers who have completed return-to-duty programs and follow-up testing. As an employer, you must register with the Clearinghouse and perform queries to ensure that the commercial motor vehicle drivers you employ are safe to operate on the road. With this tool, employers can request information about previous drug and alcohol test results and, if needed, address any drivers with a history of violations. All FMCSA employers must register for the Clearinghouse FMCSA and perform pre-employment & annual queries.
The safety and productivity of your staff is paramount, and employee screening is one of the essential investments your organization can make. By opting for DOT or Non-DOT drug screening, including oral fluid or hair follicle testing, choosing the right panel drug tests. When enrolling new staff or conducting routine tests, ensuring that you have an MRO review the test results, anticipating the FMCSA Clearinghouse if regulated by the FMCSA, you are taking the necessary steps to adhere to various regulations and ensure the safety and well-being of all employees. Need to Order a drug test today or need assistance with your employee screening program? Contact our knowledgeable support staff today at 844-573-8378 or [email protected] or press on link below to order a service now: Order Here