This article genuinely published here.If you are caught violating DOT-regulated safety-sensitive rules, you need to go through the DOT return to duty process with includes a total of five steps, including initial substance abuse professional evaluation, treatment, and education, again DOT SAP evaluation, return to duty testing, and ongoing treatment.

After completing the entire steps, the employee may return to safety-sensitive functions if he wants.

However, let’s take a detailed look at all the steps involves in the DOT return to duty process.Initial SAP EvaluationA substance abuse professional (SAP) is a licensed psychologist, social worker, therapist, licensed physician, or drug or alcohol counselor who asks the employee a wide variety of questions to understand if he has drug abuse.

The SAP is someone who determines what treatment and education plan should be created for the person to help the person get back to the work.An SAP is a neutral body; his work includes protecting public safety by creating the best possible plan for the individual’s treatment and education.Treatment and EducationDrug abuse makes the person physically and mentally too vulnerable, so the right treatment is necessary.

The treatment may include inpatient, outpatient, or aftercare services depending upon the employee’s condition.

Keep in mind that DISA return to duty or DOT return to duty process is inevitable for an employee to carry out if he wants to return to safety-sensitive work.Follow-Up SAP EvaluationOnce the treatment and education of the individual are completed, the SAP again conducts a follow-up evaluation to determine if the individual is properly treated and educated.

This article genuinely published here and copied here with permission.US government considers every citizen’s life important.

With this intention in mind, it has banned the use of substance consumption by people working in industries where use of substance could potentially put the life of other citizens in danger.Therefore, industries like road transport, aviation, defense, oil industry, and others have made annual substance abuse evaluations compulsory.

All people employed in such industries must take annual substance and alcohol abuse evaluation, irrespective of their position in the hierarchy.Any person that fails substance use evaluations due to any reason is suspended and asked to go off duty from immediate effect.

This is done as a measure to dissuade people from substance abuse, and to protect life and property of other people.How long is the suspension for substance evaluation?As per the rules, once you are suspended from duty for substance abuse, you are required to go through substance rehabilitation, get substance use evaluation from a registered and verified practitioner.

Upon clearing the second test, you can either apply for job elsewhere or rejoin your duty again.

In reality, suspension can take from a minimum of 2 years, till the time you clear the substance assessment test.What are other reasons for substance use evaluation?There can be multiple reasons when you might be asked to take substance abuse evaluations other than compulsory annual substance assessments.Order of the court:If you are entangled in a court case and the court asks you to get your substance evaluation to accept you as a sane person.

To perform driver evaluations, an employer must present the driver in violation of a DOT drug and alcohol test with a list of Substance Abuse Professionals (SAP) that have had the appropriate DOT training and obtained the required credentials.

Whether, an employer retains the driver or not; the SAP list must be made available to the driver, without a fee.

Treatment and EducationDuring the clinical evaluation of the driver at a face-to-face meeting, the SAP counselor near me will give him a referral to a treatment or an education program.

However, the SAP is required to have a working knowledge of what counselors and programs can be made available to the driver as per his individual condition.

With his diagnostic determinations that lead to the treatment plan, the SAP will facilitate a referral to the driver into a return-to-work program.

This is derived after another face-to-face evaluation with the driver and the information provided by the treatment or education program.

This article genuinely published here.The careers of drivers are stalled when they fail to pass the DOT test.

If you are also someone who has also failed the DOT test, then don’t worry.

You can still get back at your work by following certain things.You need to go through a few steps in the rehabilitation process to get back to your duty.

There are specific steps that employees have to follow in order to return to duty.

All these steps are involved in the process of Return To Duty Process DOT.Let’s get started with the DOT violation behaviors that need action.● A commercial driver need to go through the process of DOT return to duty in case,● The driver has been tested positive for the drug test (DOT).● The driver has failed the alcohol check test.● The driver has refused to get assessed for the alcohol or drug test.That being said, now let’s have a look at a few steps that drivers need to complete in the DOT return to duty process.The return to duty process includes 5 steps that are mentioned below.● Initial SAP evaluation● Treatment/Education● Evaluation for the follow-ups● Test of Return To Duty● Follow Up TestingBefore a person gets started with these steps, the employer needs to provide the employees with a listing of the acceptable SAPs, which includes information such as name, phone number, address, etc.

Employers also get an option that allows them to compile the list on their own or receive it from the C/TPA or a service agent.Why A CDL Driver Require A DOT SAP ProgramIt is recommended by the United States Department of Transportation to get the drug test done for all the employees that are involved with the safety-sensitive position to abide by the drug and alcohol testing guidelines.

When an employee working in a company or organization where safety regulations must be followed at all times, violates the alcohol or drug test as mandated by DOT, he must undergo a Return-to-Work Program.

If a person fails or is not willing to undergo the test for a prohibited substance, a violation occurs in his name.

To be able to return to his duty with the previous or new employer, the employee must go through the entire process for returning to duty as conducted by SAP.A SAP professional who has undergone the required training and earned the credentials conducts a face-to-face substance abuse evaluation of the employee, the process of which has been laid by the Department of Transportation (DOT).

The SAP makes education and treatment recommendations to the abuser.

Later a follow up evaluation as instructed by the DOT is conducted by the same professional that took the initial evaluation to ensure that his recommendations have been followed.

Based on the findings, the professional then provides a written report about his assessment of the employee’s condition and whether he can be employed for a job that is safety-sensitive.DOT Testing ViolationIf a driver engages in a prohibited drug or alcohol behavior or fails a DOT test, his commercial driving career is stalled until specific steps in treatment and rehabilitation are completed.Conditions that require Action1.

What happens when you have an employee who is mandatory to take the Dot drug and alcohol test and the test comes positive?

As an employer, you are legally required to remove that employee from any safety sensitivity and purpose.

You can refer that employee to local or DOT qualified substance abuse professionals.

You do not have to pay for treatment and evaluation.

You cannot put your employee back on the job until he/she completes the return to duty dot process under the guidance of the SAP.

The employee will meet with the SAP face to face and SAP will evaluate the nature of an individual to how much extent with drug and alcohol problems.

This article genuinely published hereThe Return to Duty SAP Process is a series of steps that an employee has to follow to get back to work after being disqualified in a DOT test.

A driver can fail the DOT (Department of Transportation Test) if he or she is tested positive on a drug test or alcohol taken by the DOT, or refuses to take any tests conducted by the DOT.

The driver can return to duty after going through the steps mentioned below.1.

An SAP is not a company or an individual and cannot represent the employer or the employee as a lawyer.

Treatment or educationAccording to rule number 49 of DOT, an SAP has to offer treatment or education to the driver by providing aftercare services.

The treatment is based on the evaluation and if the driver needs proper medication or counselors, the SAP will take care of it.

Employees who have violated an alcohol or drug program regulation are evaluated by a Substance Abuse Professional (SAP) who will further make recommendations concerning joining a DOT Substance Abuse Program, the treatments, the after care and the follow up testing.Whether an employee is fit to be placed in the cockpit of a plane, behind the steering wheel of a school bus, at the throttle of a train, at the helm of an oil tanker, at the emergency control valves of a natural gas pipeline or in the engineering compartment of a subway car is dependent on the decision taken by his SAP and conveyed rightfully to the employer.Enormous ResponsibilityIn a DOT SAP evaluation, the SAP holds an enormous responsibility towards the public.

He is neither the advocate of the employee nor the employer, his prime function is to professionally evaluate the employee to protect public safety and interest.

SAPs need to fully comply and understand the regulations such as 49 CFR Part 40, SAP guidelines and resources.How do you prepare yourself if you find yourself in this position under SAP’s scrutiny?

This is no time to be nervous!

Failure to comply with the SAP’s recommendations will only delay your ability to return to work.Preparing for SAP EvaluationWhen you enroll for a DOT SAP Program near me, the SAP will investigate the case, will ask targeted questions to get more information and check if the employee has completed one or more assessment tools or not.

Just like in a therapy session or while having a conversation with a known friend, answer all the questions honestly.

Substance Abuse Professionals are those individuals who are certified to evaluate employees who have desecrated in Dot drug and alcohol program regulation.

Moreover, who makes recommendations relating to education, treatment, follow-up testing, and aftercare?

A Dot Sap Evaluation provides the analysis and assessment; an employer can determine whether or not to keep an employee in the service of the public.

The responsibility of SAP to the public is enormous and colossal.What Happens During the Dot Sap Evaluation?During the dot sap evaluation near me, the evaluator must do the following:• A face to face clinical assessment.• Provide referrals to education and treatment programs as appropriate.• A face to face follows up an evaluation.• Provide the employer and employee the written initial and follow-up Evaluation.• Recommend follow-up testing and additional treatment as appropriate.Sap Evaluation Services for the DotWhen drug and alcohol-related infractions arise within the workplace, then SAPs are called upon to evaluate the program and suggest the appropriate education and treatment program with providing follow-up services if needed.

We are feeling proud to work with many substance abuse professionals in Houston, Texas.

Throughout the metro area, we are experienced in providing high quality, confidential services to employers and employees.Dot SAP Services Includes:Services for Employees:• Initial Dot Sap assessment.• Level of referral and care recommendation.• Follow-up evaluation and compliance interview.• Monitoring and case management.Services for Employers:• Dot Sap Assessments.• Dot Supervisor Training.• Designated employer representative training• Individual counselingWhere Can I Find a Dot Sap Program near me?If you work as an employee in a safety-sensitive position synchronized by the department of transportation, you will require passing a DOT mandated drug and alcohol screening.

Here is the short answer; you are legally required to remove that employee for safety purposes.

An employee does not have to pay for evaluation or treatment but they can’t put your employee back on the job site until he/she completes the DOT Return to Duty process under the guidance of the SAP.Stand on a safety-sensitive function, the driver must complete the following return to duty step procedure in subparts.1.

They must be immediately removed from the duty by performing all the safety-sensitive functions.

It is completely based on labor-management agreements and healthcare benefits.3.

It is based on a clinical evaluation of the driver during face-to-face meetings.

The program ranges from outpatient to partial treatment or full-in patient resources.4.

When you go with addiction treatment, you may pass through Substance Abuse Evaluations.

Later, the treatment professionals can create an individualized care plan which is well-suited to your needs.What is the Purpose of Substance Abuse Evaluation?• It determines if you have a drug or alcohol addiction.• It evaluates the amount or level of addiction.• It also regulates if there are any co-occurring conditions including any physical and mental health concerns.• It also evaluates how substance abuse affects your life.• This Substance Abuse Evaluation permits the treatment team to create a baseline and build a treatment plan for individual needs and recovery.What to Expect from A Substance Abuse Evaluation?DOT SAP Evaluation is divided into two steps: screening and assessment.

In which the outcome is simply like Yes/No.

The substance abuse screening is a preliminary evaluation that helps individuals to determine if the situation warrants a more in-depth look.

This is the first step that helps you in seeing if drug or alcohol abuse may be presented.

Here are some commonly used substance abuse screening tools.• CAGE Questionnaire: It is a widely used methodto ask questions in a brief insensitive manner.• Alcohol Use Inventory: This is a self-administered screening toolfor having an issue with alcohol abuse.• Substance Abuse Subtle Screening Inventory: It is easy to bothadminister and score.

People experience high levels of stress in their daily lives, due to work pressure and family.

This often leads to people committing mistakes like taking alcohol or drugs.

US government and various other agencies consider high and regular use of alcohol and consumption of drugs as violation to the terms and conditions of service.Some industries take these violations casually, but some agencies like FMCSA which controls the trucking industry is US, PHMS agency that controls pipeline transportation, USCG that looks after US defense, search and rescue, FRA – federal road administration, FAA federal aviation agency, FTA- federal transport agency, take these violations very seriously and often take strict to very strict action against defaulting people.Necessity of alcohol and drug assessmentAs soon as agencies come to know about serious and continued violation of drugs or alcohol, you are either red flagged, suspended or retrenched from your job.

If you need to go back to your old job, or seek a new job elsewhere, you are required to clear alcohol and drug evaluation test.You can take this test after every six months from the time you are laid off, and cannot take up a job until and unless you pass the alcohol and drug assessment.

You may be required to take the assessment as a result of a divorce case with your spouse where the attorney wants your assessment, or a case of child custody, where the court wants to assess whether you are responsible or not.Big companies and corporations demand alcohol and drug evaluations of their employees at regular basis because they want responsible and trustworthy people working with them.Getting drug and alcohol assessment:It becomes very difficult for people who have been red flagged, laid off, or suspended from their duty for failure in drug and alcohol assessment.

Most people are not aware of agencies that can help you undertake alcohol assessments, therefore look for alcohol assessment test near me on the internet.When you explore over the internet, you come across many agencies that offer alcohol and drug evaluation near me, but you cannot just get you evaluations from anywhere.

It is likely to find out about the substance, and the dosage with which it is being used.

It gives a better idea of the general scenario of an abuser and gives a solution to the problem.

To know about someone’s struggle an evaluation is the best way to get accurate and exact information.

Each phase has its own procedures to be followed.

It obviously depends on the result of the screening and the assessment.

It completely depends on the result of the previous steps.