U.S. Department of Transportation Qualified SAP - (Substance Abuse Professional)

What is a Professional DOT Compliant Alcohol and Drug Evalualion?

Substance Abuse Professional Evaluations for employees in Safety Sensitive Positions regulated by (DOT) Department of Transportation. Qualified Substance Abuse Professionals are trained to complete evaluations for People Working in the fField of Truck Driving (CDL), Oil and Gas, and the Aviation Industry.

What is a Safety Sensitive Position?

The DOT defines a Safety-Sensitive Worker as someone who holds a job that can impact both their own safety and the safety of the public. Some of these Safety-Sensitive Duties include operating a train or ferry, working on pipelines, working on a flight crew, or fixing an airplane.
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Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) holders who operate commercial motor vehicles (CMVs), that carry 16 passengers or more (including the driver), or vehicles that transport hazardous materials are also considered Safety-Sensitive Employees.

The SAP Process:

• Face to Face Clinical Assessment
• Referral for Treatment and/or Education (Determined by SAP)
• SAP Monitoring of Employee Treatment
• Face to Face Follow Up Clinical Evaluation to Determine if Employee has Complied
• SAP sets Follow Up Testing Schedule and Aftercare recommendations (as deemed necessary)
• Written Reports from SAP are Sent to Employers Designated Representative Keeping them Informed of Progress and Recommendations

Reasons SAP Evaluations are Required:

• Violation of Federal DOT Drug/Alcohol Regulations Requires Employers to Remove the Employee from all Safety Sensitive Duties. Employee Must Contact an SAP for Evaluation
• Positive Urine Test for Drugs
• Refusal to Take a Work-Related Drug/Alcohol Test
• Failure to submit a drug test in a timely manner
• Employee is Involved in an Accident Meeting Specific Criteria of the DOT

Return to Duty

• Be Evaluated by a SAP
• Complete Treatment or Intervention Program Recommended by SAP
• SAP Sends Final Written Eeport to Employer’s Designated Representative Informing Them
• Whether Treatment/Intervention that was Recommended was Completed (successful compliance/unsuccessful compliance)
• SAP Evaluates Need for Ongoing Support (Can recommend self-help, aftercare counseling, etc.)
• SAP Sets Follow Up Testing Needs
• Employer’s Designated Representative Reviews Initial and Final Written Reports Received from SAP.
• Employer deems Whether Employee can Resume/“Be Released” Back to Safety Sensitive Work.

Follow-Up Evaluation

Second, Face to Face Clinical Assessment between SAP and Employee

Aspects that Will be Assessed During SAP Evaluation:

• Focuses on Employee’s Learning
• Understanding/Internalization of Goals Internalization of Goals
• Behavior and Lifestyle Changes
• Follow-Up Evaluation Report Deems Whether Employee Demonstrates Successfully Complied with Treatment

Two Possible Outcomes of SAP Assessment

• Successful Compliance with Treatment
• Unsuccessful Compliance with Treatment

“NO RETURN”/Unsuccessful Compliance: Employee is Not Allowed to Resume Safety Sensitive Work PT Did, Prior to Need for SAP Assessment

• Employer Reviews Second Follow Up Assessment findings and Decides Whether Employee can “Return-to-Duty”/Return to Safety Sensitive Work
• Employer Sets Personnel Action (Termination of Employee, etc.)
• Employer Evaluates Need for Ongoing support
• SAP must Set Follow Up Testing Needs.
• SAP also can Recommend Self-help, Aftercare Counseling, etc.

Follow-Up Evaluation

• SAP Establishes Follow Up Testing Plan
• SAP’s Only Individuals that can authorize R-T-D Testing
• Employer Carries out Testing Plan deemed by SAP
• Employer Recognizes Relapse Potential – Safety Risk
• Follow UP Testing plan is employee specific – based on SAP’s knowledge of employer’s use pattern
• Follow Up Testing Requires MIMIMUM 6 tests in first year
• Follow Up Testing Plan Can Last for/go up to 60 months
• Rate of Follow Up Testing is Specific to Employee’s Need for Support, Pattern  and Frequency of Use.

Qualifications for Conducting  DOT Compliant Alcohol and Drug Evalualions?

The US Dept of Transportation requires specialized training for Substance Abuse Professionals (SAP’s) Conducting DOT Compliant Substance Evaluations for employees in safety sensitive duties.
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In addition to Substance Abuse Certification, DOT/SAP’s must complete 12 hours of specialized training, every three years and pass a National Qualifying Exam specific to DOT Guidelines.

To Be in Compliance with DOT Guidelines, ONLY an SAP is Allowed to Evaluate You. Evaluations Cannot be Completed by any Drug and Alcohol Counselor.