WELCOME ALL SAFETY SENSITIVE EMPLOYEES
Hi, I'm Dr. Holly!
It's a pleasure to meet you and I'm glad you are here. I am a NAADAC trained and Department of Transportation (DOT) qualified Substance Abuse Professional (SAP) in PA and NY. I have the specialized training, credentialing and continuing education on drugs and alcohol per DOT CFR 49 Part 40 guidelines to serve you! I am registered on the FMCSA Clearinghouse and open to work with all branches (FAA, FMCSA, FTA, FRA, PHMSA, USCG) in order to provide risk management for the employer by making sure that the employee is safe to return to their safety-sensitive position. I have experience in residential, outpatient and methadone settings working with co-occurring disorders as a licensed professional counselor (LPC), certified advanced alcohol and drug counselor (CAADC) and credentialed alcoholism and substance abuse counselor (CASAC). I am available to provide in-service training on drugs and alcohol and other services to the employer related to SUDs and MHDs. What makes me and my office unique compared to competitors is that I see the whole person. A positive drug and/or alcohol screen does not end or determine your career! I am a person of integrity that shares the mission to keep the public, community, agency and fellow employees safe. I am trustworthy as well as the best and most qualified SAP for your needs. Below are 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, LPC, NCC, ACS, CAADC, CASAC, SAP |
FAQs
Dr. Holly, what is a SAP?
Great question! A Substance Abuse Professional (SAP) is:
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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 $500.
This amount includes all SAP services:
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What is the Return to Duty SAP Process?
The DOT return-to-duty (RTD) can be a very precise and lengthy process. 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.
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Who is required to go through the DOT RTD 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 RTD 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 RTD SAP process.
I believe my test results were a mistake. Do I still have to go through the DOT RTD 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:
- 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- - You can find another job, outside of the transportation industry.
- The RTD 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.