The Back To Work Process Explained
Schedule a ConsultationAccording to DOT regulations,
when a safety-sensitive employee has a positive alcohol or drug test or refuses to take an alcohol or drug test, the employee may not return to safety-sensitive duties or be hired by a different DOT-covered employer until they have seen a SAP for an evaluation.
After the positive test or the refusal to take the test,
the employee will receive a referral from the Designated Employee Representative (DER) or Medical Review Officer (MRO) to schedule an appointment with a qualified SAP for a face to face clinical evaluation.
During the initial face to face evaluation,
the SAP will learn about the client’s current situation and personal history to develop a unique treatment and education plan. Additionally, the SAP will use assessment tools such as the Substance Abuse Subtle Screening Inventory (SASSI-3), Addiction Severity Index (ASI), and the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II).
After the initial evaluation,
the SAP will provide ongoing case management and coordination of care. The SAP will be available to communicate with and update the employer as needed.
Once the employee has made sufficient progress
in their treatment and/or education, the employee will meet with the SAP for a follow-up evaluation. At this appointment, the SAP will provide a follow-up testing plan and aftercare recommendations.
The SAP will report to the employer
whether the employee has or has not successfully complied with the recommendations. If the employee has complied, the employer can decide to schedule a return-to-duty test for the employee.
To return to safety-sensitive duties
for any DOT-covered employer, an employee must successfully comply with the SAP’s recommendation and be able to provide a negative return-to-duty test.