: A Guide for Employers, HR Professionals, and Fleet Managers
Hiring the right employee is crucial for the success and safety of your business. In today’s competitive landscape, where the cost of a bad hire can be steep, ensuring you have the right person in every role is more important than ever. This comprehensive guide dives into the essentials of making hiring right made easy, from employment drug screening to the use of the FMCSA Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse.
Why Screen Employees?
Screening employees is a critical step in the hiring process. It ensures workplace safety, maintains compliance with regulations, and helps in identifying the best candidates who fit not only the job requirements but also the company culture. Screening can range from background checks to various types of drug tests, each serving its purpose to mitigate risks associated with new hires. A very good reason to screen employees is due to tow very popular google searches:
- Jobs that don’t do background checks.
- Employers that don’t drug test.
Probably a safe assumption that these searchers either have something to hide on their background or indulge in drug use. Either leads to much more cost to employ a drug user or someone who has a troubled past and who hasn’t reforemed.
John L gave Workplace Screening Intelligence a 5 star review and said, From the beginning, Brenda has been a wealth of knowledge and has been very patient explaining aspect of the DOT random drug testing program. I called multiple times to clarify our responsibility and what WSI could do to help and Brenda has been cheerful and eager to help us get started. Phil the CEO of the company also provided guidance and was knowledge and was very pleasant throughout. I’m glad to have found WSI, this is truly a customer first company.
Need to order a drug screen or other employee screening service today? Contact our knowledgeable support staff at 844-573-8378 or press on link to order now: https://workplacescreening.com/order-here/
Employment Drug Screening
Drug screening has become a standard part of the hiring process in many industries, especially those involving safety-sensitive positions. Employment drug screening helps employers make informed decisions by identifying candidates who might pose a risk to the workplace due to drug abuse.
Regulated Drug Test vs. Non Regulated Drug Test
Understanding the difference between regulated and non-regulated drug tests is key in compliance and implementing an effective drug testing program. Regulated Drug Test are DOT Test. Non Regulated Drug Test are NON DOT Drug Test.
- Regulated Drug Tests are mandated by federal agencies, such as the Department of Transportation (DOT). These tests follow strict guidelines concerning the drug testing process, including what substances are tested for, specimen collection procedures, and the handling of results. DOT drug tests are essential for safety-sensitive positions, such as commercial vehicle drivers.
- Non Regulated Drug Tests, on the other hand, are not mandated by federal law and provide employers the flexibility to design their drug testing program based on their specific needs. Despite the lack of federal oversight, it’s important for these programs to respect state laws and consider what’s best for the workplace environment.
Alternate Drug Screens
Beyond the traditional urine drug tests, there are alternate drug screening methods, such as hair follicle tests and oral fluid drug test or saliva drug test, known as Quest Drug Tests or Lab Corps drug test. These methods can detect drug use over a longer period or offer more convenient and less invasive testing processes compared to traditional methods. Hair Follicle drug tests can detect up to 90 days thus making it difficult to hide drug abuse.
Drug Screening Locations Near Me
Finding a convenient and trustworthy drug screening location is vital for the smooth operation of your hiring process. If you are looking for a dot drug test near me or drug screening facilities near me, you have come to the right place. Workplace Screening Intelligence has over 20,000 electronically enabled sites near your workplace or employee’s home. Wish to see a list of convenient drug screen locations near me? Press on link below: https://workplacescreening.com/locations/ If you are looking for an Orlando, FL drug test, enter Orlando, FL or city and state or zip code you wish to test in.
Medical Review Office
A Medical Review Office (MRO) plays a critical role in the drug testing process. Staffed by certified Medical Review Officers, MROs review and verify drug test results, ensuring accuracy and confidentiality. The MRO’s involvement is essential in regulated drug tests, providing an extra layer of oversight before finalizing results.
FMCSA Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse
If you employ FMCSA employees, you need to comply with the FMCSA Clearinghouse. The FMCSA Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse serves as an essential resource for those involved in the transportation industry. This comprehensive database offers immediate access to information regarding drug and alcohol infractions for individuals holding a commercial driver’s license (CDL). By providing this crucial data, it assists employers in maintaining the safety of their operations by ensuring drivers with disqualifications are not allowed to operate commercial vehicles. Employers of FMCSA employees must do the following to be compliant with Clearinghouse FMCSA:
- Register in the FMCSA Clearinghouse.
- Write a DOT Drug and Alcohol testing policy addendum addressing FMCSA Clearinghouse.
- Educate your employees and supervisors on the rights and responsibilities with the FMCSA Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse.
- Perform pre-hire queries on each new driver in the FMCSA Clearinghouse.
- Perform annual queries on all drivers in the FMCSA Clearinghouse.
- Report all positive DOT Breath Alcohol Test to the FMCSA Clearinghouse.
- Document and Report Collection Site Refusals to the FMCSA Clearinghouse.
- Document and Report all Known Drug Use to the FMCSA Clearinghouse.
- Report all Return to duty drug test to the FMCSA Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse.
- Report all Follow-Up testing programs to the FMCSA Clearinghouse.
An employer may choose to allow a CTPA like Workplace Screening Intelligence to perm some or all of the duties in the FMCSA Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse. Want more information on how Workplace Screening Intelligence makes dealing with the FMCSA Clearinghouse mandate. Contact our knowledgeable support staff today at 844-573-8378 or press on link for more information. https://workplacescreening.com/fmcsa-chs/
Background Check
Background checks are a fundamental component of the employee screening process. They can include criminal history checks, employment history verification, education verification, and more. A smart background checks helps employers gain a comprehensive view of a candidate’s past behavior and qualifications, ensuring they’re fit for the role. If you need a background check up today, contact our knowledgeable support staff at 844-573-8378.
Not-so-Frequently Asked Questions
While much of the focus in hiring right is on drug testing and background checks, there are other considerations employers should be aware of. Additionally, knowing the exceptions and rights around screening gives a more nuanced approach to your hiring process, ensuring fairness and compliance. Below are some of the questions that aren’t asked often but are important:
Do Mushrooms Show Up on a Drug Test?
While not commonly screened for in standard drug panels, certain advanced tests can detect psilocybin (the active compound in psychedelic mushrooms). However, these substances typically leave the system and become undetectable within a few days after use. You can request mushroom test as an additional test.
How Long Does PCP Stay in Your System?
Phencyclidine (PCP) can be detected in urine for up to 14 days for infrequent users and up to 30 days for chronic users. It depends on various factors, including metabolism and dosage. In hair follicle drug test, PCP can be traced for three months after use.
How Long Do Drug Screens Take?
The time frame for receiving drug screen results can vary. Standard urine drug tests can deliver results within one day. Advanced tests, or those requiring confirmation tests for non-negative results, might take a bit longer, from 72 hours or more.
What is the Difference Between DOT Physical and NON-DOT Physical?
DOT Physical: Required for commercial vehicle drivers, it adheres to specific guidelines set by the Department of Transportation to ensure the driver’s capability to safely operate commercial vehicles. This includes vision, hearing tests, blood pressure/pulse rate assessments, and a review of overall health and medication use. DOT Physical must be repeated every two years unless you have a condition. Some conditions require DOT physical to be repeated every 90-365 days.
NON DOT Physical: Applies to employees in non-regulated positions and does not adhere to DOT-specific standards. These non dot physicals are more about assessing an employee’s overall ability to perform job-related tasks safely and can vary greatly depending on the job requirements and the employer.
Let Our 30 Years of Experience and Technology Be Your Peace of Mind
With over three decades of expertise in helping employers hire right, our cutting-edge technology and vast experience offer you the peace of mind needed in today’s complex hiring landscape. From navigating the intricacies of DOT drug test and non DOT drug tests to implementing comprehensive background checks and staying compliant with the FMCSA Clearinghouse, we provide end-to-end support for all your screening needs.
Conclusion to Hiring Right Made Eaxy
Hiring right made easy isn’t just about finding the most qualified candidate for the job; it’s about ensuring a safe, compliant, and efficient workplace. By understanding and implementing effective screening processes, from employment drug screening to background checks, employers can protect their businesses from potential liabilities and foster a healthy working environment. Whether you’re an employer, HR professional, or fleet manager, this guide provides the foundational knowledge needed to streamline your hiring process and make informed decisions.
John L gave Workplace Screening Intelligence a 5 star review and said, From the beginning, Brenda has been a wealth of knowledge and has been very patient explaining aspect of the DOT random drug testing program. I called multiple times to clarify our responsibility and what WSI could do to help and Brenda has been cheerful and eager to help us get started. Phil the CEO of the company also provided guidance and was knowledge and was very pleasant throughout. I’m glad to have found WSI, this is truly a customer first company.
Need to order a drug screen or other employee screening service today? Contact our knowledgeable support staff at 844-573-8378 or press on link to order now: https://workplacescreening.com/order-here/