DOT SAP Return to Duty (RTD) Evaluations (en Inglés o Español) | Call us at 956.994.1428 today!
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Heath Smith is a US Department of Transportation (DOT) qualified Substance Abuse Professional (SAP). The US DOT requires specialized training for the Substance Abuse Professional (SAP) conducting DOT compliant substance use/abuse evaluations for employees in safety sensitive positions. Heath Smith, SAP has over 19 years of experience working in the DOT SAP Return-to-Duty (RTD) process and works extensively with US and Mexican based companies. DOT SAP Return to Duty evaluations are provided for the following agencies:
• FMCSA, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (Commercial Drivers License holders) • FAA, Federal Aviation Administration (Pilots, Flight Crew, Aircraft Maintenance/Duties) • FRA, Federal Railroad Administration (Trainmen, Conductors, Engineers, etc.) • FTA, Federal Transit Administration (Transit, Vehicle Operation, Maintenance/Mechanics) • PHMSA, Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (Pipeline) • USCG, United States Coast Guard (Marine Transportation) |
The DOT SAP Return to Duty process includes:
• Face-to-face clinical evaluation
• Referral for education and/or treatment (level determined by SAP)
• Face-to-face follow up clinical evaluation to determine if employee complied with education, treatment and/or counseling
• Reports and follow-up testing schedule sent to the designated employer representative (DER)
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA)
If you are under Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, for violations obtained on or after January 6, 2020, FMCSA Clearinghouse requires that the employee create an account for the return to duty (RTD) process. See link below. Once your account is created, you can assign Heath Smith as your Substance Abuse Professional (SAP). https://clearinghouse.fmcsa.dot.gov/
Need help creating your FMCSA Clearinghouse account? No problem! We can help! Call us at 956.994.1428.
When an employee is in violation of DOT rule, the employee must immediately be removed from safety-sensitive functions, see a SAP for an Initial Evaluation (face-to-face assessment), and comply with the education and/or treatment recommendation(s) set forth by the SAP. As a covered entity, under CFR 49 Part 40, you are required to provide a referral to any employee requiring a SAP evaluation.
Call our office today at 956.994.1428 to begin the SAP Return-to-Duty process!
The Department of Transportation requires companies employing individuals who hold commercial driver licenses (CDLs) and who work in safety-sensitive positions in transportation, oil and gas pipelines, railroads, or the aviation industry are subject to drug and alcohol testing, and requires DOT agencies to perform such testing. The Department of Transportation requires companies in the above industries to conduct the following types of drug and alcohol tests: Pre-Employment, Random, Post-Accident, Reasonable Suspicion and Return to Duty.
• Face-to-face clinical evaluation
• Referral for education and/or treatment (level determined by SAP)
• Face-to-face follow up clinical evaluation to determine if employee complied with education, treatment and/or counseling
• Reports and follow-up testing schedule sent to the designated employer representative (DER)
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA)
If you are under Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, for violations obtained on or after January 6, 2020, FMCSA Clearinghouse requires that the employee create an account for the return to duty (RTD) process. See link below. Once your account is created, you can assign Heath Smith as your Substance Abuse Professional (SAP). https://clearinghouse.fmcsa.dot.gov/
Need help creating your FMCSA Clearinghouse account? No problem! We can help! Call us at 956.994.1428.
When an employee is in violation of DOT rule, the employee must immediately be removed from safety-sensitive functions, see a SAP for an Initial Evaluation (face-to-face assessment), and comply with the education and/or treatment recommendation(s) set forth by the SAP. As a covered entity, under CFR 49 Part 40, you are required to provide a referral to any employee requiring a SAP evaluation.
Call our office today at 956.994.1428 to begin the SAP Return-to-Duty process!
The Department of Transportation requires companies employing individuals who hold commercial driver licenses (CDLs) and who work in safety-sensitive positions in transportation, oil and gas pipelines, railroads, or the aviation industry are subject to drug and alcohol testing, and requires DOT agencies to perform such testing. The Department of Transportation requires companies in the above industries to conduct the following types of drug and alcohol tests: Pre-Employment, Random, Post-Accident, Reasonable Suspicion and Return to Duty.
Failed Drug Test
If you are covered by the DOT and have violated a Federal DOT drug or alcohol regulation as a result of a urine test positive for drugs, if you refused a test, or were not able to provide a specimen in a timely manner or you failed to take a test, then you must be removed from all safety-sensitive duties and contact a SAP for an evaluation.
Why do I need a SAP? To meet the Return-to-Duty (RTD) requirements of the Department of Transportation, you must be evaluated, by a SAP, and complete a treatment and/or education program recommended by the SAP to become eligible to return to a safety sensitive job function.
• To be in compliance with DOT guidelines, only a DOT qualified SAP can provide the evaluation necessary for the Return-to-Duty (RTD)
process.
Why do I need a SAP? To meet the Return-to-Duty (RTD) requirements of the Department of Transportation, you must be evaluated, by a SAP, and complete a treatment and/or education program recommended by the SAP to become eligible to return to a safety sensitive job function.
• To be in compliance with DOT guidelines, only a DOT qualified SAP can provide the evaluation necessary for the Return-to-Duty (RTD)
process.
Substance Abuse Professional (SAP) Return to Duty (RTD) Process
To be considered for return to any DOT covered role or be hired by a different DOT covered employer, you must successfully complete the DOT return-to-duty process with a DOT qualified SAP.
• What is the process? The SAP will conduct a face-to-face psychosocial drug and alcohol assessment.
• The SAP will provide you with recommendations, case-management and intervention monitoring while you are in your program.
• The SAP will conduct a final compliance interview prior to releasing you back to work to assure you have demonstrated successful
completion of treatment and/or education recommendations and have lessened any potential threat to the public.
• The SAP will submit a written report to your current or previous employer with a copy to you indicating you have met all the SAP
recommendations and are eligible to return to safety sensitive duties.
• The SAP will provide a confidential follow up testing schedule to your employer.
• How long will it take? The length of time necessary depends upon the specific intervention required. The objective is to return the
employee to safety sensitive duty at the earliest date following successful completion of their assigned intervention.
• What is the process? The SAP will conduct a face-to-face psychosocial drug and alcohol assessment.
• The SAP will provide you with recommendations, case-management and intervention monitoring while you are in your program.
• The SAP will conduct a final compliance interview prior to releasing you back to work to assure you have demonstrated successful
completion of treatment and/or education recommendations and have lessened any potential threat to the public.
• The SAP will submit a written report to your current or previous employer with a copy to you indicating you have met all the SAP
recommendations and are eligible to return to safety sensitive duties.
• The SAP will provide a confidential follow up testing schedule to your employer.
• How long will it take? The length of time necessary depends upon the specific intervention required. The objective is to return the
employee to safety sensitive duty at the earliest date following successful completion of their assigned intervention.
Non-DOT SAP Return to Duty Evaluations
F. Heath Smith IV will provide evaluation, monitoring, follow-up and recommendations to employees who do not work in DOT regulated jobs. Most companies today maintain a safe and drug-free workplace program for those employees who are not subject to DOT regulations. Such employees who test positive are subject to a similar assessment process to maintain a safe work environment consistent with company Human Resource policies. Should a Non DOT employee test positive on a random drug screen, the Return-to-Duty (RTD) process is initiated to address the matter and to promote the safety and welfare of the employee and the company. The objective is similar to the SAP program; to support the safety of the work place and provide assistance to the employee with a positive drug test enabling him/her to return to work duties.
DOT Helpful Links/Resources
DOT Office of Drug and Alcohol Policy and Compliance (ODAPC)
https://www.transportation.gov/odapc
The Office publishes regulations and provides official interpretations on drug and alcohol testing, including how to conduct tests, and the evaluation and treatment procedures necessary for returning employees to duty after testing violations.
DOT ODAPC Employer Handbook
https://www.transportation.gov/odapc/employer_handbook
If you employ safety-sensitive workers who must have Department of Transportation (DOT) drug and alcohol tests, or you manage a DOT drug or alcohol testing program, this publication can help you understand how to run an excellent program that meets DOT requirements.
DOT ODAPC Employee Handbook (English)
https://www.transportation.gov/odapc/employee-handbook-english
This publication was produced by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) to assist safety-sensitive employees subject to workplace drug & alcohol testing in understanding the requirements of 49 CFR Part 40 and certain DOT agency regulations. This publication is for educational purposes only.
DOT ODAPC Employee Handbook (Spanish/Español)
https://www.transportation.gov/partners/drug-and-alcohol-testing/what-employees-need-know-about-dot-drug-alcohol-testing-spanish
This publication was produced by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) to assist safety-sensitive employees subject to workplace drug & alcohol testing in understanding the requirements of 49 CFR Part 40 and certain DOT agency regulations. This publication is for educational purposes only.
DOT ODAPC Links, Documents and Forms
https://www.transportation.gov/odapc/documents
A collection of important documents, forms and guidance for employers and employees.
https://www.transportation.gov/odapc
The Office publishes regulations and provides official interpretations on drug and alcohol testing, including how to conduct tests, and the evaluation and treatment procedures necessary for returning employees to duty after testing violations.
DOT ODAPC Employer Handbook
https://www.transportation.gov/odapc/employer_handbook
If you employ safety-sensitive workers who must have Department of Transportation (DOT) drug and alcohol tests, or you manage a DOT drug or alcohol testing program, this publication can help you understand how to run an excellent program that meets DOT requirements.
DOT ODAPC Employee Handbook (English)
https://www.transportation.gov/odapc/employee-handbook-english
This publication was produced by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) to assist safety-sensitive employees subject to workplace drug & alcohol testing in understanding the requirements of 49 CFR Part 40 and certain DOT agency regulations. This publication is for educational purposes only.
DOT ODAPC Employee Handbook (Spanish/Español)
https://www.transportation.gov/partners/drug-and-alcohol-testing/what-employees-need-know-about-dot-drug-alcohol-testing-spanish
This publication was produced by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) to assist safety-sensitive employees subject to workplace drug & alcohol testing in understanding the requirements of 49 CFR Part 40 and certain DOT agency regulations. This publication is for educational purposes only.
DOT ODAPC Links, Documents and Forms
https://www.transportation.gov/odapc/documents
A collection of important documents, forms and guidance for employers and employees.
