Quick Access to a SAP Program in Pennsylvania

Drug testing is a regular part of the landscape if you work in a safety-sensitive industry. If you fail or refuse to take a DOT mandated drug and/or alcohol test, you will be removed from your safety-sensitive duties. Additionally, you may face additional penalties or lose your professional certification. Those who fail or refuse a test must complete a treatment program with a SAP (substance abuse professional). This policy, set out in the Omnibus Transportation Employee Testing Act of 1991, affects safety-mandated employees in the railroad, trucking, mass transit, aviation, maritime and pipeline industries. Should you find that you need a SAP evaluation in Pennsylvania, or anywhere in the U.S., please read on for more information.

Testing Positive for a DOT Drug and/or Alcohol Test

If you have tested positive or refused to take a DOT mandated job-related drug and/or alcohol test, you will be given the opportunity to talk with a medical review officer. If there is no acceptable medical reason for your positive test results, the DOT requires employers to remove you from working in your safety-sensitive position until you can be evaluated by a substance abuse professional (SAP). Next, you must complete a program prescribed by the SAP. Finally, a return-to-duty test result must be negative before you will be allowed to return to your safety-sensitive work duties. You will also be subject to testing for up to 60 months following your return to duty.

What is a SAP Program?

Once you connect with a SAP, the content of a return-to-duty process varies from person to person. However, all programs include an initial one-on-one evaluation followed by some form of a recommendation. The recommendation can include in-patient or out-patient treatment and/or education. So, where do you find a SAP?

Federal law requires employers in safety-sensitive industries to provide either the names and contact information of substance abuse professionals or a referral to a service agent for employees who have failed a drug and/or alcohol test. However, you must be sure that the SAP your employer referred you to is qualified as per the DOT part 40 guidelines. If your employer’s list is outdated, you have no way of knowing the SAP you call is still qualified. This is where SAP Referral Services steps in.

Because only a DOT-qualified SAP can give you the clearance you need to be able to return to duty, consider partnering with SAP Referral Services. Founded in 2003, we’ve been helping individuals comply with DOT regulations and get back to work quickly and safely. To learn more about finding a qualified SAP program in Pennsylvania, or elsewhere in the United States, contact us today.

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.