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If you’re an employee working for a DISA-monitored employer, failing a drug or alcohol test or otherwise violating your company’s internal drug and alcohol policies can bring your career to a stop.
Before you can return to your job or to work at any DISA-monitored company, you must complete the DISA return-to-duty (RTD) process.
This guide explains the DISA SAP program requirements and how you can get back to work fast.
Key Takeaways
- The DISA SAP program is a part of the return-to-duty process you must complete if you violate drug and alcohol regulations or internal company policies and work at a DISA-monitored company.
- The RTD process for DOT and non-DOT workers is similar, but DOT-regulated employees must complete a federally mandated process. The DISA SAP process for non-DOT employees is based on internal company policies.
- If you’ve violated a drug and alcohol regulation or policy, call American River Wellness to complete the DISA SAP program.
What is the DISA SAP Program?
As one of the largest third-party administrators in the US, DISA Global Solutions provides drug testing services and background checks for more than 55,000 companies, with millions of drug tests performed each year.
DISA Global Solutions assists both DOT-regulated and non-DOT-regulated companies in complying with regulatory requirements and internal drug and alcohol policies through their drug and alcohol testing and return-to-duty processes.
When an employee violates a drug and alcohol regulation or policy, DISA provides a return-to-duty process similar to what the US Department of Transportation (DOT) mandates for regulated employees in safety-sensitive roles.
This process is called the DISA SAP program and is designed to help employees who have violated their employers’ drug and alcohol policies return to work.
A DISA SAP is a DISA-qualified substance abuse professional who completes DISA drug and alcohol evaluations, recommends treatment and/or education, monitors clients’ progress, and facilitates their return to work when they’re deemed safe and fit for duty.
American River Wellness is a DISA-approved SAP and offers a DISA SAP program to help you return to work quickly.
Who Needs to Complete the DISA SAP Program?
Employees who test positive for alcohol or drugs and work for employers that use DISA Global Solutions as their third-party administrator must complete the DISA SAP program before they can return to work.
This includes safety-sensitive workers regulated by the Department of Transportation (DOT) who work for employers that use DISA, as well as non-DOT employees based on internal drug and alcohol policies.
DOT-regulated employees hold safety-sensitive jobs for companies that are regulated by the US Department of Transportation (DOT) and one of its administrations, including:
- Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA)
- Federal Transit Administration (FTA)
- Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)
- Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA)
- Federal Railroad Administration (FRA)
- National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA)
- Federal Highway Administration (FHWA)
- Maritime Administration (MARAD)
Some common examples of safety-sensitive DOT workers and the DOT administrations that regulate them include:
- Commercial drivers holding a CDL (FMCSA)
- Airline pilots (FAA)
- Flight attendants (FAA)
- Airline maintenance workers (FAA)
- Air traffic controllers (FAA)
- Locomotive engineers (FRA)
- Train conductors (FRA)
- Other rail workers (FRA)
- Pipeline workers (PHMSA)
- Refinery workers (PHMSA)
- Bus drivers (FTA)
- Light rail operators (FTA)
- Captains and deck workers (MARAD/US Coast Guard)
Some types of non-DOT workers who might be subject to the DISA SAP program include:
- Refinery workers
- Oil & gas industry workers
- Construction industry workers
- Non-DOT transportation workers
- Healthcare workers
- Others
The DISA SAP requirements cover workers who fail random, post-accident, reasonable suspicion, and pre-employment drug and alcohol tests.
The DISA Return to Duty Process
When you’ve violated a drug and alcohol regulation or internal company policy, the DISA return-to-duty (RTD) process provides a structured method to obtain the treatment you need and return to work once you’ve been determined to be safe.
If You’re a DOT Employee
The return-to-duty process for DOT-regulated employees is federally mandated under administrative regulations and includes the following steps:
1. Immediate Removal from Duty
DOT-regulated employers must immediately remove workers who test positive for drugs or alcohol on a DOT drug or alcohol test under 49 CFR Part 382, § 382.701(d).
If you’re a DOT-regulated worker, you won’t be able to return to duty until you complete the process.
2. Scheduling the Evaluation
Your employer will give you a list of DOT-qualified substance abuse professionals (SAPs). You can also find a DOT-qualified SAP by searching online.
When you find a SAP, you can schedule an evaluation with them.
American River Wellness is a DISA and DOT-qualified SAP and offers same-day and next-day availability to facilitate a fast return to work.
3. Preparing for the SAP Evaluation
To prepare for your SAP evaluation, you should do the following:
- Gather all reports about your drug or alcohol violation
- Learn about the RTD process and your requirements
- Abstain from drugs or alcohol
- Read your company’s drug and alcohol policy
- Review the DOT’s drug and alcohol rules
4. Attending the SAP Evaluation
You’ll meet with your DISA and DOT-qualified SAP for your evaluation, which can take place in person or online.
American River Wellness offers virtual SAP evaluations to make the process more convenient.
Your SAP will review the facts of your case, the circumstances surrounding your drug and alcohol violation, your medical history, and other factors to determine the treatment and education needed.
5. Complete Recommendations
Based on your evaluation, your SAP will create a treatment plan that you must complete.
The recommendations will be based on your violation, needs, and substance use history and might include:
- Outpatient drug and alcohol counseling
- Drug and alcohol education
- Support groups
- Inpatient treatment (if necessary)
Your SAP will monitor your progress. You must complete all recommendations to move forward.
6. Return-to-Duty Test and Report
Once you complete the recommended treatment and education, your SAP will ask you to submit to an RTD drug and alcohol test.
Your result must be negative. If it’s not, you’ll have to restart the RTD process with a new evaluation and additional treatment.
If you submit a negative test, your SAP will write a report clearing you to return to duty and send it to your employer and the applicable federal regulating body.
For CDL drivers, this means uploading the report to the FMCSA’s Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse.
7. Follow-Up Testing
Your employer has the final say about whether to return you to work. If they do, you’ll have to undergo follow-up tests for at least 12 months and up to five years.
If your employer doesn’t take you back, you’ll still have to complete follow-up testing at any new regulated employer.
Follow-up drug and alcohol tests are unannounced, and you must undergo at least six in the first 12 months.
Any positive tests will force you to restart the RTD process.
If You’re a Non-DOT Employee
Non-DOT employees may be subject to urine, hair follicle, breath, or oral saliva drug and alcohol tests, depending on their employers’ policies.
Hair follicle tests show drug use over a much longer testing window than urine tests.
The DISA RTD process for non-DOT employees is similar to the process used for DOT-regulated workers and includes the following steps:
1. Scheduling the DISA SAP Evaluation
Your employer may give you a list of DISA SAPs, or you might search online to find a SAP in your area.
2. Preparing for the DISA SAP Evaluation
To prepare for your DISA SAP evaluation, review your employer’s drug and alcohol policies.
Gather any documents you have about your violation, including disciplinary paperwork, drug test results, etc.
Don’t use drugs or alcohol before you attend your evaluation, and refrain from using during the DISA RTD process.
3. Attending the DISA SAP Evaluation
A DISA-qualified SAP will conduct your evaluation in person or by video.
American River Wellness offers virtual DISA SAP evaluations to make it more convenient.
Your SAP will ask you questions about your violation, what led up to it, your substance abuse history, and your medical history to understand your needs.
4. Following Recommendations
Based on their findings, your SAP will recommend treatment and education and provide referrals. The recommendations might include any of the following:
- Drug and alcohol education
- Drug and alcohol outpatient counseling
- Substance abuse groups
- Inpatient treatment (when necessary)
You must complete the treatment recommendations per your company’s policy before you can be cleared to return to work.
5. Attending the Follow-up Evaluation
Once you have completed the recommendations, you’ll meet with your SAP. They will confirm whether you’ve completed all of the program requirements.
If you have, they’ll write a report and send it to your employer stating that you are safe to return to work.
American River Wellness reports clearance directly to DISA (at no extra cost). This allows you to be eligible for placement on DISA-monitored job sites.
6. Receiving Clearance
Your company might require you to receive internal approval to return to work.
Depending on your company’s drug and alcohol policy, you might also have to submit to company-specific alcohol and drug testing.
7. Ongoing Monitoring
Many companies require workers who have completed the DISA RTD process to undergo random follow-up testing for a specified period.
These requirements are employer-dependent and based on internal company policies.
Trust American River Wellness to Return to Work Fast
Failing a drug or alcohol test or refusing a test when you work for a DISA-monitored employer can wreck your career.
Whether you’re a DOT-regulated employee or a non-DOT worker subject to DISA-compliant drug and alcohol policies, you must complete the RTD process before you can return to work.
At American River Wellness, we are a DISA and DOT-qualified SAP and will work to get you back to work quickly.
To schedule your DISA SAP evaluation, call us today at (833) 436-8727.
DISCLAIMER: This information is intended solely for educational and informational purposes. It should not be interpreted as legal counsel or guidance.
FAQ
The DOT SAP program is mandatory for safety-sensitive workers who violate the DOT’s drug and alcohol rules and work for companies regulated by the US Department of Transportation and one of its administrations.
Commercial truck drivers are the most common workers affected by the DOT RTD process.
The DISA SAP process applies more broadly to a range of industries. DISA-monitored companies might require hair follicle or oral saliva testing, depending on internal company policies.
You must complete all treatment recommendations provided by your DISA SAP to be cleared to return to work on a job site monitored by DISA.
If you don’t receive clearance, you won’t be able to return to your job or any other company monitored by DISA.
American River Wellness submits clearance reports to DISA at no additional cost.
Most companies don’t pay for participation in DISA or DOT SAP programs.
However, you can check with human resources to find out if your company might pay for your program.
American River Wellness charges a base fee of $450, with options starting as low as $112 with Afterpay.
We do not charge extra for DISA cases.
We also offer flexible payment plans to make it more affordable.
You can search the official DISA SAP provider directory.
American River Wellness is a listed provider.
If you fail a DISA drug or alcohol test, you’ll be removed from your job and must complete the DISA RTD process.
This includes completing a DISA SAP evaluation, completing all treatment recommendations, undergoing a follow-up evaluation, receiving clearance to return, and completing any follow-up tests required by your employer.
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