By CCG Staff
This information is provided for educational purposes only. Reader retains full responsibility for the use of the information contained herein.
There are many options available for those looking for substance abuse training, and it can be quite difficult to find a good fit. Often, employers wonder what type of training they need, where the correct information can be found, who to go to with training questions, and more. Ideally, employers are able to find a “one stop shop” that enables them to fulfill all their training needs in one place. This article will focus on employer trainings and help answer questions about what type(s) of training to choose and where to find resources for employer training.
If you are familiar with the Department of Transportation (DOT) regulations as well as state laws, then you know there are two main categories of training – Consortium/Third Party Administrator (TPA) and employer training. Consotium/TPA training comprises collector, Breath Alcohol Technician (BAT), and Screening Test Technician (STT) training. These training courses are for anyone who wants to collect specimens (urine or oral fluid), provide alcohol testing (using an Alcohol Screening Device or ASD), Evidential Breath Alcohol Device (EBT), or oral fluid device under DOT and/or company authority.
Employer training, on the other hand, includes training, such as DOT and non-DOT reasonable suspicion for supervisors, employee awareness, Designated Employer Representative (DER), DOT agencies specific rules and regulations, company policy training, and more. These employer trainings are for anyone that has a drug and alcohol program and/or deals with companies that have a drug and alcohol program. Employer trainings are important to maintain the integrity of a well-run drug and alcohol testing program. Training helps deter the use of drugs and alcohol in the workplace, promotes a safe working environment, keeps employees and the public safe, reduces workplace accidents and injuries, and provides helpful and required information related to drug and alcohol testing. Many companies choose to facilitate annual training to keep employees current on regulatory changes, company updates, and to keep information fresh. Regular training maintains confidence when dealing with difficult situations, such as, reasonable suspicion encounters.
What Type of Employer Training do I Need as an Employer?
Often, the most challenging part of developing a training program is determining what kind of training is needed. The first step is determining what DOT agency regulates your company and employees. Do you have any safety sensitive employees that fall under the DOT regulations? Reasonable suspicion training is mandatory for employers/supervisors that have employees that may be required to submit to a required drug and alcohol test, such as those who fall under DOT safety sensitive guidelines.
Reasonable suspicion situations can be difficult to navigate; reach out to Workplace Screening for employer-related trainings (online and instructor led) to help you remain compliant with your applicable DOT agency. Two specific trainings offered are supervisor and employee reasonable suspicion training, both geared toward training individuals to determine if drug or alcohol testing needs to take place for an employee that is exhibiting signs and symptoms of possible substance use.
Other types of trainings to consider are DER training, DOT specific agency rules and regulations training (FMCSA, FAA, FTA, etc.), and non-DOT supervisor and/or employee training. Depending on the specific DOT agency the employee falls under, these trainings may or may not be required. Regardless, it is important to realize that dealing with a drug and alcohol testing program can be very complex. Having an expert team by your side that helps you understand applicable training requirements and best practices for your particular business is essential for both service providers, and individual employers.
The Role of the Service Agent in Employer Training
So, who is a service agent? A service agent is defined as any person or entity, other than an employee of the employer, that provides services to employers and/or employees in connection with DOT drug and alcohol testing requirements. This includes, but is not limited to, collectors, BATs, STTs, laboratories, Medical Review Officers (MROs), SAPs, and Consortium/TPAs. In other words, a service agent helps support those who have a drug and alcohol testing program. To act as a service agent, persons and organizations must meet all applicable DOT qualifications.
Is employer training for service agents? Yes! Take, for example, a company supervisor that has a situation arise with an employee during one of their late shifts. They have a TPA running their drug and alcohol testing program, and the supervisor calls the service agent/TPA to clarify the process of handling the employee’s test(s). As a service agent, it is beneficial to understand all aspects of the testing process, especially those pertaining to reasonable suspicion and post-accident testing. By attending an employer training, whether online or in person, service agents can be well versed in testing procedures and relay correct and accurate testing processes to the supervisor and company they support. One issue that arises all too often is that many TPA’s, service agents, and employers fall short in knowing the correct information and relaying that information to the appropriate personnel.
Service Agents, Employers, and DER Training
DER training is another important area of training. A DER is defined as an employee authorized to take immediate action(s) to remove employees from safety-sensitive duties, or cause employees to be removed from these covered duties, and to make required decisions in the testing and evaluation processes. The DER receives test results and other communications for the employer consistent with the requirements of 49 CFR Part 40 (Part 40 if employees fall under DOT authority) and company policy.
A service agent cannot act as a DER. Many employer trainings are applicable to a DER, as the DER is responsible for understanding all aspects of the company’s drug and alcohol testing program. DER training is a crucial piece in helping support service agent’s and employers, and in providing the necessary information on how to run a testing program smoothly and efficiently. DER training consists of understanding what to do with test results, what to do with dilute test results, when to have and when not to have an employee submit to a post-accident test, testing processes and procedures, when to remove the employee from their job functions, and more.
Conclusion
Understanding what type of training is needed is an important factor in maintaining confidence in a company’s drug and alcohol testing program. To learn more about Workplace Screening employer trainings, visit our website at www.workplacescreening.com or email us at support@workplacescreening.com.