Service Agents
Service Agents are part of any drug and alcohol testing program. Each Service Agent has a specialized role in the drug and alcohol testing process. Service Agents often fulfill roles that are too cost prohibitive or logistically impossible for a company to fulfill internally. There are many specific functions that must occur throughout the testing process, which is why many companies choose to hire a Third Party Administrator to handle the implementation of a drug and alcohol testing program.
Contact us to learn more about how we can help your business save time and improve workplace safety.
Service Agents
A Breath Alcohol Technician/Screening Test Technician is responsible for administering Breath Alcohol tests and instructing respective donors of the process and procedures required for a test as outlined in 49 CFR Part 40. The BAT should be knowledgeable of this part and have completed the required training as outlined in the regulations.
BATs require specific training for each Alcohol Testing device (a list of all DOT approved devices can be found here). BATs should be knowledgeable about the Federal Alcohol Testing Form (ATF) and complete the form for all applicable DOT tests.
Collection Site
To conduct a drug test, you must have a bathroom facility that meets the requirements of 49 CFR Part 40. The collection site must have a private toilet for use by the donor and must be able to be secured (shutting off access to all water and possible adulterants). Collections sites can be at any location that meets the requirements, including at an employer’s workplace, however, many clinics offer drug and alcohol testing collections.
To view the specific regulations that collection sites must meet see 49 CFR Part 40.41.
Collector
A collector is a person who has successfully completed a DOT collections training course by a certified trainer. The collector is responsible for preparing a collection site for drug testing, instructing donors to produce a specimen, and ensuring the integrity of the collection process and the collection site. Collectors must complete training courses and re-certification courses every 5 years or after any fatal error (as defined in 49 CFR Part 40). Part 40 describes all the necessary requirements and steps a collector needs to take during the collection process, as well as defining the training requirements.
KGA offers DOT-compliant Collector Training periodically. Look at our training page for more details.
Laboratory
Laboratories meeting the necessary requirements for DOT testing can be found throughout the nation. To meet federal requirements, laboratories must be certified by the Department of Health and Human Services under their National Laboratory Certification Program. Laboratories outside of the United States may be used so long as they are approved for participation by the DOT.
You can find the of certified laboratories here.
Medical Review Officer (MRO)
MROs are licensed physicians trained and certified who are responsible for reviewing drug test results. MROs will confirm laboratory reported positive tests and review positives to see whether or not there are any legitimate medical explanations for a positive result (e.g. prescription drugs). MROs will directly contact donors to collect needed information to make their determinations, during the process the employer will not be privy to their communications as it may involve disclosure of medications and other private matters protected by law. A full list of requirements for MROs can be found in 49 CFR Part 40.
Third Party Administrator (TPA)/Consortium
A service agent that provides or coordinates the provision of a variety of drug and alcohol testing services to employers. C/TPAs typically perform administrative tasks concerning the operation of the employers’ drug and alcohol testing programs. This term includes, but is not limited to, groups of employers who join together to administer, as a single entity, the DOT drug and alcohol testing programs of its members. C/TPAs are not “employers” for purposes of this part.
Substance Abuse Professionals (SAPs)
SAPs provide drug and alcohol counseling to individuals who have failed a drug or alcohol test. An SAP is a vital part of a DOT drug and alcohol program, as employees who test positive are required to be referred to a qualified SAP and they must complete an evaluation and plan to be able to return to safety-sensitive functions at any DOT agency. An employer is not required to retain or rehire an employee who has completed an SAP evaluation, however, they still must give the employee information regarding the company’s drug and alcohol policy and a referral to the SAP upon notification of testing positive.
Before an employee returns to a safety-sensitive position after failing a DOT drug or alcohol test they will have to complete a series of random drug/alcohol testing set up by a qualified SAP. An SAP is a vital part of any DOT drug and alcohol program and your company’s primary SAP should be included within your drug and alcohol policy.
Contact us to get connect you with qualified SAPs and other nationwide service agents who meet DOT requirements as listed in 49 CFR Part 40.