When an FAA Employee Needs a SAP Program
The Department of Transportation and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) require mandated safety-sensitive employees to adhere to drug and alcohol testing. Testing is for the well being of the public, and in the case of the FAA, to keep our skies safe. If an FAA employee flies a plane under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol, they endanger their passengers and other individuals. Knowing that random testing occurs encourages safety-sensitive FAA employees remain sober on the job. However, should an employee refuse or fail drug and/or alcohol testing they must complete a SAP program.
SAP Program for FAA Safety-Sensitive Employees
As mentioned above, if a DOT mandated safety-sensitive employee fails a scheduled or random drug and/or alcohol test or refuses to participate, they are removed from safety-sensitive duties and are required to complete a return-to-duty program with a qualified SAP. The program starts with the employee meeting with a SAP (Substance Abuse Professional) for an initial evaluation. This evaluation determines the treatment and/or education requirements they must comply with before they can be considered for return to their safety-sensitive responsibilities.
Because a SAP program is meant to help employees with any substance abuse issue, as well as get you back to work, you will work with an expert who is qualified to carefully evaluate your current situation. These professionals include licensed physicians, psychologists, social workers, and marriage and family therapists, employee assistance professional, or a drug and alcohol counselor certified by NAADAC, ICRC, or NBCC.
After an employee has complied with their program, the SAP re-evaluates them. Next, the SAP gives approval for the employee to submit to a return-to-duty drug and/or alcohol test and recommends a follow-up testing plan and, in some cases, continuing care recommendations.
How Does an FAA Employee Connect with the Right SAP?
Employers are legally required to provide DOT mandated safety-sensitives employees with a list of SAPs to contact, or a referral to a service agent. Unfortunately, there is no guarantee that the list they provide contains SAPs who are, in fact, currently DOT-qualified. If an employee completes a return-to-duty SAP program with a SAP that isn’t DOT-qualified, the employee may have to repeat the entire program. Therefore, the risk of time and money is significant for the employee if they work with the wrong SAP.
Fortunately, help is available. A FAA employee can turn to SAP Referral Services (SRS), a service agent, to be connected with DOT-qualified SAPs in their area. SRS keeps an updated network of qualified SAPs in more than 3,000 locations nationwide.
Discover FastTrack Enrollment
SRS offers FastTrack Enrollment for quick access to a SAP program in your area. Individuals can sign up online in two simple steps and connect with a DOT-qualified SAP quickly. Most are scheduled with a SAP within 72 business hours. FastTrack Enrollment provides everything in one service. You’ll receive the initial evaluation, two face-to-face substance abuse evaluations, recommendations for education and/or treatment, two SAP reports and recommendations for the return-to-duty test. Enroll today to get started and return to work as quickly as possible.
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.