In our new series Products in Focus, Accurate Background will take a deep dive into drug testing and answer common questions about how they work. Today’s drug screening blog post comes from Accurate Background’s Product Manager Jessica McDonald. Jessica has worked with Accurate Background for over 4 years and oversees our health services products. Jessica has extensive knowledge of the health services process from sales and onboarding to implementation and fulfillment.
What types of drug testing are available and what should you be looking for?
Different companies offer a variety of drug testing methods. To ensure you are choosing a provider with comprehensive drug screening solutions, your provider should offer a full line of laboratory and instant based drug screening methods, including: urine, hair, oral fluid (saliva) and blood tests to detect drug use. For alcohol testing, we offer urine, breath, and blood tests.
What are common reasons for performing a drug test?
Reasons for testing include, but are not limited to, pre-employment, post-accident, reasonable suspicion, random, and return to duty. There are also a wide variety of DOT drug testing (Department of Transportation) and non-DOT drug testing services. Many industries require pre-employment drug testing depending on the employee’s job description.
How does drug test ordering work?
Efficient drug testing providers should include a fully integrated, start-to-finish solution for drug testing. This includes offering multiple scheduling methods, including recruiter scheduling and donor scheduling.
- An order is placed on behalf of a donor.
- An email invitation will be sent to the recruiter or the donor to schedule the drug test at a clinic of his or her choice.
- The donor will proceed to the collection site selected and provide a specimen.
- The specimen will be sent to the laboratory for testing, unless the test is instant. In the case of an instant test, the specimen will only be sent to the laboratory in the case of a non-negative test result or for a random quality check to ensure the instant test is properly calibrated.
- In the case of a positive test result, the specimen will undergo additional confirmation testing using GS/MS (Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectroscopy). Once the confirmation testing is completed, the MRO (Medical Review Officer) will reach out to the donor for a medical explanation in the event there is a legitimate medical explanation for a confirmed positive, adulterated, substituted, and invalid drug test results. If there is a legitimate reason and the MRO is able to obtain the information needed, the drug test will be reported back as negative. The results will be released once the MRO has contacted the donor, or once the MRO has made 3 attempts within 3 days to contact the donor.
What are the drug test scheduling requirements?
When setting up an account for drug testing scheduling, the following information is required to ensure consistency with all donors.
- Time frame the donor has to complete the drug test, once the test is ordered.
- Type of test (included method, as well as testing panel. Multiple testing panels are available and we offer custom testing panels as well)
- Method of scheduling (donor or recruiter)
- Protocol for Negative dilute test results
What are the benefits of donor scheduling?
Donor scheduling allows the donor to choose a convenient collection site near their home or work and supports an overall positive candidate experience. The account requirements (testing time frame, test method and panel) are already established behind the scenes and cannot be modified by the candidate.
Accurate Background offers a completely customizable process for drug testing. Clients work directly with an Onboarding team member to ensure your unique requirements are captured and implemented. Once an account is implemented and live, your dedicated Account Manager will work closely with you to ensure your complete satisfaction. Our Client Services and Health Services teams are also available to support you and your candidates with any questions.
