SAP Provider in Maryland Explains the Return to Duty Process

The Department of Transportation (DOT) qualifies safety-sensitive employees as those that are responsible for the safety of themselves as well as the safety of other people. All DOT mandated safety-sensitive employees are subject to drug and alcohol testing. Refusing to submit to a drug or alcohol test is considered equivalent to a violation. If an employee has violated a drug and/or alcohol regulation they are immediately removed from their safety-sensitive responsibilities. Additionally, they must complete the DOT return-to-duty process. For anyone searching for a SAP provider in Maryland, or anywhere nationwide, please read on to learn more about SAP Referral Services (SRS).

What is the Return-to-Duty SAP Process?

As mentioned above, failing a drug and/or alcohol test means a safety-sensitive employee must complete the return-to-duty process before they can hope to return to their safety-sensitive work. This process requires employees to work with a DOT qualified SAP (Substance Abuse Professional). A SAP completes an initial assessment of the employee who has violated the DOT drug and alcohol policy. Next, the SAP provides recommendations which may include a course of education and/or treatment. Once completed, the SAP determines if the employee was compliant, brings them back for a follow up assessment, gives the okay to submit to a return-to-duty test and develops a follow-up testing plan, as well as possible continuing care recommendations.

Finding a DOT Qualified SAP

What makes a SAP “qualified” by the DOT? DOT qualified SAPs are licensed or certified professionals who possess knowledge about diagnosing and treating alcohol and controlled substance related disorders. Plus, they are trained and tested about DOT drug and alcohol regulations and the return-to-duty processes. In order to maintain their DOT qualifications, these specialists must participate in continuing education to maintain their SAP status.

The DOT requires employers to provide employees with either a SAP list or a referral to a service agent. However, the list may contain SAPs whose credentials have expired. If a DOT employee completes their return-to-duty process with an SAP whose qualifications have expired, the entire program may be void and they may have to repeat the process.

SAP Provider in Maryland: SRS

SAP Referral Services (SRS) is a service agent in Maryland that assists employees across the nation in finding fast and easy access to a qualified SAP. This allows employees to quickly start their return-to-duty process. Our affiliate network includes specialists in over 3,000 locations nationwide, so employees are paired with a SAP in their area. Additionally, SRS guarantees the SAP is DOT qualified at the time of initial contact. This ensures no wasted time or money working with a SAP that is not DOT-qualified. Instead, employees work with the correct SAP and can get back to work as quickly as possible.

SRS offers FastTrack Enrollment allowing employees to enroll in just two easy steps. Enrollment includes all the aspects of the return-to-duty process: evaluations, recommendations for education and/or treatment, SAP reports and recommendations for submitting to a return-to-duty test. Click here to learn more.

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.