WELCOME ALL SAFETY SENSITIVE EMPLOYEES

Hi, I'm Dr. Holly and it is a pleasure to meet you! I am a Department of Transportation (DOT) Qualified Substance Abuse Professional (SAP) and glad you are here.

I have the specialized training, credentialing and continuing education on drugs and alcohol per DOT CFR 49 Part 40 guidelines to serve you!

Below you will find some frequently asked questions (FAQs) outlined just for you. If you have any other questions or would like to move forward in working with me, please do not hesitate in contacting me using the form below!

Thank you and I look forward to serving you or your organization!

Dr. Holly, PhD, LPC, CAADC, NCC, SAP

FAQs

Dr. Holly, what is a SAP?

Great question! A Substance Abuse Professional (SAP) is:
  • A licensed clinician and certified specialist who evaluates employees who have violated DOT alcohol and drug program rule(s) such as a positive test.
  • Makes recommendations concerning education, treatment, follow-up testing and aftercare.
  • Protects the public interest and safety by recommending appropriate education and/or treatment.
  • Not an advocate for the employer or the employee. 
  • Has specialized training, credentialing and continuing education on drugs and alcohol per DOT CFR 49 Part 40 guidelines. 

​What is DOT Drug Testing?

The Department of Transportation (DOT) has drug and alcohol testing requirements of safety-sensitive employees employed in the aviation, railroad, public transit, trucking, maritime and pipeline industries. Employees are subject to federal drug and alcohol testing regulations. Should you test positive for drugs or alcohol either in a pre-employment, random, reasonable suspicion, post-accident, return-to-duty or follow-up test, you must be immediately removed from safety-sensitive functions.

Will I be able to work while going through the SAP process?

No. Individuals are NOT permitted to perform safety-sensitive duties while going through the DOT Return to Duty SAP process. However, individuals may work in a non-duty sensitive function. Placement in such a job is solely at the discretion of your employer.

Can I use my health insurance to pay for my SAP services?

No, typically SAP evaluations are not typically covered by health insurance. However, the cost of treatment may be. It is best to consult with your insurance provider to be certain. 

Dr. Holly, who Covers the Cost?

In rare cases, an employer will bear the cost of Return-to-Duty services. In cases where the positive test is a result of pre-employment, the employee is terminated or suspended as a result of a positive drug or alcohol test, or for any other reason the employee must pay the cost out-of-pocket, the one-time flat fee for services is $550.

This amount includes all SAP services:
  • The initial face-to-face* evaluation
  • Communication with the Medical Review Officer (MRO), if needed
  • Referral for treatment and/or education
  • Monitoring of the treatment/education process
  • A follow-up face-to-face* evaluation
  • All reports to the company Designated Employee Representative (DER), administrative agency or employee
  • Recommendations for aftercare and testing schedule
  • Maintenance of records and reports for future employers as needed
  • Reporting the ultimate disposition on the DOT Clearinghouse website.
*Due to COVID, evaluations are being held via Zoom until 6/30/2022.

What is the Return to Duty SAP Process?

The DOT return-to-duty process is very precise and can be lengthy. An employer who allows an employee with a violation to continue performing safety-sensitive duties is subject to fines, up to $10,000 per day.
​
  • The Return to Duty Process is required when a DOT regulated employee either tests positive on a DOT mandated drug and/or alcohol test or refuses to take a required DOT test.
  • The employee must successfully complete the Return to Duty Process in order to become eligible to return to the safety-sensitive job or to accept a safety-sensitive position with another DOT regulated employer.
  • The Return to Duty Process begins with a face-to-face evaluation conducted by a DOT qualified Substance Abuse Professional (SAP) who must make treatment and/or education recommendations for the employee. Due to COVID, evaluations are being held via Zoom until 12/31/2021.
  • Once the employee has successfully complied with the recommendations, a follow-up face-to face evaluation is scheduled with the same SAP. Due to COVID, evaluations are being held via Zoom until 12/31/2021.
  • Based upon the follow-up evaluation, the SAP issues a written determination of the employee’s eligibility (or ineligibility) to be returned to the safety sensitive job or to begin a new one.
  • The employee’s eligibility status is contingent upon a negative DOT Return to Duty test results. The decision to return the eligible employee to work, or to hire the employee is at the discretion of your employer. The employer is not obligated to continue to employ anyone who has a violation.
  • If the SAP reports that the employee has not successfully complied with the recommendations, the employer cannot return to the employee to safety-sensitive functions, nor can you be employed by any DOT-regulated employer until the SAP’s recommendations have been fully met, and the employee is able to provide a negative return-to-duty test.
  • Should you be reinstated, the SAP is required to provide recommendations for aftercare and a follow-up testing schedule for up to 5 years.

Who is required to go through the DOT Return to Duty SAP Process?

All DOT regulated safety-sensitive employees employed in the aviation, railroad, public transit, trucking, maritime and pipeline industries that have violated the DOT drug and alcohol testing rules, such as a positive test result.

I was terminated after a violation. Do I still need to go through the Return to Duty SAP process?

Yes. Once an employee has violated the federal drug and alcohol testing regulations, the employee is considered ineligible to perform safety sensitive duties until they have completed the SAP process.

If an employee test positive on a DOT Drug or Alcohol test can they retake the test in a couple of hours or days?

No. Once a DOT mandated employee receives a positive test result they must be removed from safety sensitive duties and complete the Return to Duty SAP process.

I believe my test results were a mistake. Do I still have to go through the DOT Return to Duty process?

Yes. The DOT has specific regulations to insure that the testing process is secure and accurate. Specimens are thoroughly reviewed by a Medical Review Officer (MRO) before test results are confirmed as positive. The MRO will contact the employee with notification of a positive test. If the positive result has occurred because the employee is under a doctor’s care and has a legitimate and current prescription for the medication, the test will not been deemed positive.

When this circumstance does not exist, and in the case of illicit drugs or alcohol misuse, the MRO will notify the employer of the positive result and will enter the violation on the DOT Clearinghouse at clearinghouse.fmcsa.dot.gov/

Dr. Holly, what are my options after the violation?

You have two options after your violation:

  1. You can be considered for returning to safety-sensitive functions in the transportation industry, but only after successfully completing DOT’s return-to-duty process, and then providing a negative result on a return-to-duty drug and/or alcohol test; -OR-
  2.  You can find another job, outside of the transportation industry.
 
  • The return-to-duty process requires that the employee be seen by a qualified and trained DOT/SAP.
  • The employee will be instructed to register on the Clearinghouse, if they have not already done so, and will be directed on that site to choose a DOT/SAP. ​

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