Failed DOT test

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I failed my DOT test (or had a “refusal”). What do I do?

If you failed your DOT test and need a SAP (Substance Abuse Professional) in the Pittsburgh vicinity, please read on to learn about the DOT SAP process steps where I will assist you to get back to work.  If you were told you had a refusal, which equates to a positive drug test under DOT regulations, and you do not understand this, please call me and I will explain this to you.  The following is the DOT-regulated SAP process.

STEP #1 – INITIAL ASSESSMENT

I am a Department of Transportation SAP.  You start the process by calling me to schedule an appointment for an assessment.  My job is to determine that you are safe to go back to performing your position from a “public safety” perspective.  Keeping this in mind, I will work with you to get you back to work as soon as possible. I can usually schedule our first appointment within 48 hours.

We will meet to do a drug and alcohol evaluation and to discuss your current situation.  We will work together to do what is best to assist you to successfully return to work.  I will communicate with your DOT employer every step of the way so they know you are complying with what needs to be done.  If you have lost your job, at your request I will send information to a prospective employer.

STEP #2 – EDUCATION OR TREATMENT

Following our drug and alcohol assessment, under DOT regulations I must refer you to either education or treatment.  I will share my recommendations with you and make the SAP referral that I believe will be most helpful to you.  We will discuss this at length so that there will be no surprises.

STEP #3 – FINAL ASSESSMENT AND CLEARANCE FOR RETURN TO DUTY TEST ELIGIBILITY

Once you complete the assigned education or treatment, we must meet a second time to assess your ability to return to your safety-sensitive DOT job.  When you have successfully completed the education or treatment recommendations, you may be cleared to return to duty pending your passing a “return to duty drug test” (RTD) administered by your employer.  If you have lost your job, I will provide a letter of successful completion of the SAP program that you can take to any new prospective employer. I am required to write a Drug Testing Plan that I will send to your employer.  Going forward, you will be tested more frequently and these tests will be observed.

SPECIAL NOTE — FOR FMCSA CDL DRIVERS ONLY —  ABOUT THE CLEARINGHOUSE

DOT requires you to register on the FMCSA Clearinghouse.  This is a DOT national database of drivers where violations (positive drug tests) are entered.  For us to work together and have your driving prohibition lifted, you will need to register and choose me as your SAP (listed as Nedin, Jan).  That allows me to document the first and last dates that we meet.  Then your employer documents the date that you pass your return to duty test, and that lifts your prohibition from driving.