Completing The Return To Duty Process With A Substance Abuse Professional Provider
An individual that drives professionally (or works in transit) and has a confirmed drug or alcohol program violation is not allowed to complete any part of their job that is "safety-sensitive" until they have completed a return to duty process with a substance abuse professional. These providers are trained in both substance abuse counseling and federal DOT (damage over time) safety laws.
Typically, these laws cover professionals like school bus drivers, train engineers, flight mechanics, airplane mechanics, and others who have jobs where their performance keeps mass transit safe. If large-scale transportation is involved, and the individual has experienced a confirmed drug or alcohol violation, they will likely have to complete a return to duty process.
This process will be slightly different from one state to the next but must comply with Federal requirements. The worker will need to complete a full course of drug and alcohol treatment and education with their designated substance abuse professional. Then they will need to ask this professional to register with the Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse if they do not already have an account.
The worker will then need to set up their own account within the Clearinghouse software, then designate their substance abuse professional. This establishes within the software that they have a relationship. Once this step is complete, the substance abuse professional must accept the request from their end. After this, the substance abuse professional will complete an initial assessment within the Clearinghouse. They can then evaluate, within the Clearinghouse, whether the worker is eligible to be tested for Return to Duty. The worker must then be sent for testing for Return to Duty by their employer. After they receive a positive or negative result, the process moves forward, including a plan for follow-up testing if necessary.
The DOT Certified Substance Abuse Professional Program works in a very specific way, and skilled substance abuse professionals trained in these methods are familiar with the process. They'll understand how the testing process works and can help walk workers and drivers through each step of the way. If you've found yourself with a drug or alcohol violation on your record and need to get it cleared, reach out to a local professional in the field. They'll be able to walk you through the process of returning to duty so that you can get back to work safely as soon as possible. Contact a local professional today to learn more.