Find a Substance Abuse Professional Quickly with SRS
When a DOT-mandated, safety-sensitive employee fails a drug and/or alcohol test they will have to schedule a face-to-face evaluation with a Substance Abuse Professional, and complete the SAP process, in order to return to a safety-sensitive position.
Upon failure of the drug and/or alcohol test the employee is immediately removed from their safety-sensitive functions. Most employees want to find a Substance Abuse Professional (SAP) quickly so they can complete the process and submit a return-to-duty drug and/or alcohol test. In order to find a SAP quickly, employees may want to get in touch with a service agent who can schedule them an appointment with a SAP in their area.
What is a Substance Abuse Professional (SAP)?
Substance Abuse Professionals play a very vital role in safeguarding the lives of employees and the public. When employees have violated drug and alcohol regulations, they must meet with a SAP and get a professional, face-to-face evaluation. Based on the evaluation a SAP recommends treatment and/or education. The employee must successfully comply with the treatment and/or education in order to return to the SAP for a follow-up evaluation and consideration of return-to-duty.
SAP providers must possess the required credentials and educational background to properly handle Substance Abuse Evaluations for safety-sensitive employees. It is dire that they are experts in the treatment and diagnosis of substance-related disorders and that they have completed their qualification training and continuing education. Should the SAP make a recommendation that the employee is fit to resume safety-sensitive work, the final say in whether they are able to return to their previous employment lies with the employer.
How to Find a Substance Abuse Professional Quickly
If an employee has to find a SAP themselves, through a SAP list, it often takes a long time before they can be seen. From calling several SAPs in their area, to leaving messages and waiting for returned calls, the process can take a while. Since employees are unable to work in their safety-sensitive role, they are best off contacting a service agent who can schedule an appointment with a SAP for them.
SAP Referral Services (SRS) is a service agent that maintains an extensive network of qualified providers in more than 3,000 locations nationwide. Their FastTrack Enrollment Program allows employees to enroll and pay online. After enrollment an employee is typically scheduled with a SAP in their area within 72 business hours. The FastTrack Enrollment Program includes scheduling of the initial evaluation, (2) Face-to-face substance abuse evaluations, recommendations for education or treatment (as per the requirement of the DOT), (2) SAP reports (initial and follow-up), recommendations for submitting to a return-to-duty test.
To learn more about the FastTrack Enrollment Program, or to enroll today, click here.
SAP Referral Services (SRS) is the leading facilitator for mandated substance abuse evaluations. SRS maintains an extensive network of qualified providers in more than 3,000 locations nationwide for testing violations that originate from any of the DOT’s modes including FMCSA, FAA, FRA, FTA, USCG and PHMSA, or a company’s internal drug and alcohol testing policy.