One of the main requirements of working in the transportation industry in Nevada is complying with the Department of Transportation’s Drug and Alcohol Testing Program. These regulations are in place to make sure everybody on the road remains safe.
But part of the difficulty with complying with the DOT program is finding a location near you to take your drug test. Not only can it take valuable time away from your business, but the strict nature of the DOT’s testing program requires certified laboratories and professionals to ensure the accuracy of the test results.
That’s where Fleet Drug Testing can help. Our team of experienced professionals offers a wide variety of drug testing services and programs that can ensure compliance with DOT regulations. We also can help you find a convenient location near you in Nevada where you can be tested. Whether your route takes you through Las Vegas, Reno, or Henderson, we can point you in the right direction.
To get started, consider enrolling in one of our many DOT-compliant programs.
DOT Drug Testing Regulations in Nevada
Because the DOT drug testing program is federally regulated, any person working in a “safety-sensitive” position in Nevada must comply with the program. This includes being tested at certain intervals, such as:
- Pre-employment testing – Before being hired for a safety-sensitive position, employees must undergo a drug and alcohol test. If the test results are positive, the employee may not be hired.
- Random testing – Safety-sensitive employees are also subject to random drug and alcohol testing under DOT regulations. Employers are required to use a computer-based random selection process to choose employees for testing and must test employees for drugs at a rate of at least 50% and alcohol at a 10% rate in a 12-month period.
- Reasonable suspicion testing – If there is a reasonable suspicion that an employee is under the influence of drugs or alcohol, DOT regulations mandate that the employee must undergo testing.
- Post-accident testing – Whenever an employee is involved in a work-related accident or incident that results in a fatality, serious injury, or damage to property, they must undergo drug and alcohol testing.
- Return-to-duty testing – After a positive test result for drugs or alcohol, the employee must complete a substance abuse treatment program and pass a “return-to-duty” test before they can be reinstated to their safety-sensitive duties.
- Follow-up testing – Even after returning to safety-sensitive duties, employees who tested positive for drugs or alcohol must continue to undergo follow-up testing.
The DOT mandates drug testing through urine samples, which screens for five types of drugs, marijuana (THC), cocaine, amphetamines, opiates, and Phencyclidine (PCP). Also, the testing must be conducted at certified laboratories, which can be found throughout Nevada.
What is the DOT’s Procedure for Drug Testing?
In addition to these intervals, the DOT has specific guidelines as it relates to the procedure for a compliant drug test. Like the rest of their regulations, the testing process must strictly adhere to specific procedures regarding a variety of factors that ultimately ensure the accuracy of any results. Generally speaking, a DOT drug test proceeds as follows:
- Notification – The first step is the employee being notified that they are required to undergo drug testing.
- Collection – A trained collector collects the urine or other sample from the employee.
- Split Specimen – The sample is divided into two containers (A and B) and sealed in the presence of the employee.
- Laboratory Testing – The sample is sent to a laboratory certified by the Department of Health and Human Resources (DHHR) for testing. In addition, the lab must be certified by the National Laboratory Certification Program (NLCP).
- Review by a Medical Review Officer (MRO) – The laboratory provides the results to the MRO who reviews them and contacts the employee if necessary.
- Reporting – The MRO reports the results to the employer.
Depending on the results, the employee is removed from their safety-sensitive position and may be required to complete a substance abuse treatment program before returning to work.
How Should You Prepare For a DOT Drug Test?
Although facing the DOT drug testing program can be intimidating, it’s crucial to the safety of everyone working in the transportation industry, as well as the people that these employees share the road with. As an employee, it’s important not just to understand the procedure for drug testing, but how to prepare for it. Here are some tips:
- Avoid taking any drugs or medications that could cause a false positive result. Inform the medical review officer (MRO) of your prescribed medications.
- Since you’ll be required to provide a urine sample, make sure to hydrate with plenty of fluids. However, don’t overhydrate. That can sometimes produce a “positive dilute” result. If you have difficulty providing a sample, inform the collector immediately.
- Obviously, you’ll want to follow all instructions provided by the collector. You should bring a valid government-issued photo identification, such as a driver’s license, passport, or military ID.
- Arriving at the testing site on time is important. You may have to fill out some paperwork on top of providing the urine sample. Additionally, consider wearing comfortable clothing that is easy to remove and does not interfere with the sample collection process. These simple steps can make the testing process more efficient and increase the likelihood of accurate results.
Making sure that your test results are accurate is important not only to you as an employee, but to your employer as well. Staying compliant with DOT regulations keeps your business moving and allows you to continue to provide for your family. That’s why it’s important to be prepared for any drug test.
Contact Fleet Drug Testing Today To Find a Nevada Testing Location Near You
If you are in Nevada and need to find a DOT drug testing location, our experienced and resourceful team at Fleet Drug Testing can help. We have a number of programs designed to keep you and your employer compliant, which includes having a network of certified drug testing facilities near you in Nevada that meets all regulations and guidelines.
Our programs can also guide you through the process and ensure you are prepared for the test. Don’t compromise your safety or the public by ignoring the importance of DOT drug testing. Contact us now to find a testing location near you in Nevada.
