EMPLOYMENT QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
Q: Why should my business drug test potential hires and consider implimenting random drug tests?
We have a growing epidemic of drug and alcohol abuse in our Nation. You as a business owner, are responsible for the actions of your employees when they are at work. One of the ways to ensure your new employees are good and trustworthy employees is to make sure they are not taking or abusing harmful substances prior to hiring them.
Drug testing potential employees is a vital part of the employment process, however, it is also in a business owners best interest to periodically drug test employees to ensure nobody has fallen into the activities of abusing drugs. Many industries have made this a standard since the majority of their employees drive vehicles, operate machinery, work with children or work with personal information ans their liability is dependent on the employees they entrust to do their jobs safely.
Drug testing potential employees is a vital part of the employment process, however, it is also in a business owners best interest to periodically drug test employees to ensure nobody has fallen into the activities of abusing drugs. Many industries have made this a standard since the majority of their employees drive vehicles, operate machinery, work with children or work with personal information ans their liability is dependent on the employees they entrust to do their jobs safely.
Q: What testing guidelines are required for collecting samples?
AMDT follows all DOT/Federal guidelines for all specimen tests.
Samples shall be collected and tested, with due regard to the privacy of the individual being tested, and in a manner reasonably calculated to prevent substitutions or interference with the collection or testing of reliable samples. Sample collection shall be documented with labels to avoid misidentification and in accordance with reasonable chain-of-custody and confidentiality procedures.
Samples shall be collected and tested, with due regard to the privacy of the individual being tested, and in a manner reasonably calculated to prevent substitutions or interference with the collection or testing of reliable samples. Sample collection shall be documented with labels to avoid misidentification and in accordance with reasonable chain-of-custody and confidentiality procedures.
Q: Why should we sign up with Absolute?
AMDT is a locally grown company that works closely with businesses in the Inland Northwest to stay current with all regulations and provide individualized testing and services to meet your needs. Accuracy, timeliness and curtious staff are our top priorities and we are constantly working within the industry to ensure you have the latest technology as your resource.
Q: How do I produce a good sample?
The best sample is early morning urine which is generally more concentrated. Try to eat at least 1 hour prior to providing your sample. Eating a protein rich meal prior to testing is the best way to produce a good sample. The body breaks down food and urine is created as a by-product.
Q: What are my requirements when I show up to provide a Urine Analysis (UA)?
You will need to show a form of ID each time you visit office. Please note that it is against regulation for any AMDT staff member to supply beverage or food to a client preparing to test. Also note that, once you have checked in, you are not allowed to leave the testing facility. By choosing to leave you will nullify your test and need to come in another day to test properly.
Q: Can I know my results after my sample test has been analyzed?
All test results are sent to the employer ordering the test. If you have any questions please contact your employer.
Q: Who should be drug tested?
Any individual in a safety sensitive position should be random drug tested. This includes driving, working with money, working with children or the elderly, having access to personal information, operating heavy machinery, working with the public, etc. We advise that all potential new hires be drug tested as well to eliminate potential problems prior to hiring.
Q: What are the different drug tests that are available?
Any drug can be tested for. However, we have a standard 5-panel test – which MOST pre-employment testing is done. We also have standard 6 through 10 panels. Plus DOT/Federal testing panels. When setting up your relationship with AMDT we can help you determine the best tests that will meet your individual industry needs.
Q: Do you test for Oxy?
Yes we can test for oxycodone. Oxycodone will not show up as an opiate and is not part of our standard 5 panel testing. However, our 7, 9, & 10 panels can test for it.
Q: Who pays for pre-employment drug tests?
This is a decision left up to each company. Most employers are billed at the end of the month. The other option is to have the potential employee pay upfront for their test, and then submit a reimbursement request to the employer upon passing the test or upon an agreed upon amount of time. We can work with your company to determine what fits your needs.
Q: Where do we send employees/potential hires for drug testing?
AMDT has Six locations located throughout the Inland Northwest. For Employment testing we recommend referring your testers to our Post Falls, Spokane Valley or Sandpoint locations if they have a small window of time to be tested as these location have the ability to process testers quickly.
Q: How do we receive the drug test results?
AMDT provides an individualized back end online system where you can both order drug tests and check the results of tests that have been conducted. Our system is the fastest and most accurate system in the industry. If a test does not come back with immediate results we submit that sample to the lab and a 3rd Party Medical Review Officer will analyze the results and contact the tester if there is a question regarding the test.
Q: How quickly will we receive the results?
Depending on the test and panel tested, results can be back as quick as 15 minutes or as long as 7-10 business days.
Q: When is the best time to send someone for a drug test?
For a list of our locations and their hours please visit HERE. For employment testing each of our offices has a cut of time. If testing must be done outside of those hours, please contact the office to schedule an appointment.
- Spokane - Mission: 8am-3pm
- Spokane Valley: 8am-3pm
- Post Falls: 9am-3pm
- Coeur d'Alene: 9am-2pm
- Sandpoint: 2pm-4pm
- Kellogg: By appointment only
Q: How do we implement random tests into our company?
Start by create a drug testing policy. Links for templates are below. Once the policy is created, allow employees at least one month to clean up, if need be. Then start implement program.
Human Resource Solutions
Blue Layouts
Hashdoc
Human Resource Solutions
Blue Layouts
Hashdoc
Q: What do we do if an employee is involved in an accident, either onsite or offsite?
If an employee is involved in an accident, and needs medical attention, a drug test can be performed afterwards. The pain medications given to the employee will be taken into account when the test is sent to our 3rd lab for confirmation. If the employee does not need medical attention, and can be brought to one of our facilities, we can proceed as normal. If the collection needs to be done at your location, you can call any of our offices during normal business hours, or our after-hours phone to request one of our technicians to come out and test on site.
Q: What is DOT?
DOT is a type of Federally regulated testing. The correct term is Federal Test. There are 3 types of Federal testing – HHS (Health and Human Services – Law enforcement agencies); NRC (Nuclear Regulatory Commission; and DOT with subdivisions – FMCSA (Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration), FAA (Federal Aviation Administration), FRA (Federal Railroad Administration), FTA (Federal Transit Authority), PHMSA (Pipeline & Hazardous Materials Safety Administration), & USCG (United States Coast Guard). Each has its own regulations for testing, and most have the same testing procedures. If your industry falls in any of these categories you should be aware of the testing regulations required.
Q: How do we stay current with DOT & Federal Regulations?
In this day and age, regulations change often. AMDT is committed to keeping up with all current standards and working with our clients to ensure they have what they need to stay current. However we encourage all businesses to regularly monitor https://www.transportation.gov/odapc and ensure you are staying current with your industry requirements.
49 CFR Part 40L https://www.transportation.gov/odapc/part40
49 CFR Part 40L https://www.transportation.gov/odapc/part40
Q: What is Reasonable Suspicion?
Reasonable Suspicion is when you as the employer or one of your management team finds an employees behavior to be suspicious. If it is written in your drug testing policy, you can have them immediately tested. You can bring them to any of our locations, or we can come on site for you.
Q: Can a drug testing policy save me money?
Yes, in more ways that you realize. Drug Testing helps you avoid hiring employees that use drugs both recreational or abusively. These individuals can cost you thousands of dollars in training, lost wages, poor moral, etc. Another HUGE benefit of having a Drug Testing process in your company is that most Workers Comp Insurance will give you a 5% discount! Contact your insurance provider for more details.
