Implementation Guidelines - Federal Transit Administration - U.S. ...

alternative medical explanations for
laboratory confirmed drug test results. The
MRO must also be knowledgeable about
issues relating to adulterated and substituted
specimens, as well as the possible medical
causes of specimens having an invalid
result. MROs must have detailed
knowledge of Part 40, the DOT MRO
Guidelines, and the DOT agency regulations
applicable to the employers they serve (i.e.,
FTA—Part 655). The DOT MRO
Guidelines can be obtained from the
ODAPC at the previously cited Web site.
The MRO must also remain current with any
changes to the regulations or DOT MRO
Guidelines.
Qualification Training. The MRO
qualifications training must include
collection procedures for urine specimens,
chain of custody, reporting and record
keeping procedures, and the interpretation of
drug and validity test results. The training
must also define the role and responsibilities
of the MRO in the DOT drug testing
program and the interaction with other
participants in the program such as the DER
and the SAP. The training must also address
the DOT agency rules (i.e., FTA) that apply
to employers for whom the MRO provides
services.
Following the completion of the
qualification training, the MRO must
satisfactorily complete an examination
which must be administered by a nationally
recognized MRO certification board or
subspecialty board of medical practitioners
who perform MRO functions.
Continuing Education. MROs are
required to complete 12 professional
development hours during each 3-year
period, counting from the date of the
successful completion of the initial
examination. The professional development
education hours must be relevant to
performing MRO functions and must
address new technologies, DOT and modal
interpretations, new guidance, rule changes,
and other information relevant to MRO
practice. The continuing education activities
must also include a method of assessing the
MRO’s understanding of the materials
covered.
Substance Abuse Professionals
The Substance Abuse Professional
(SAP) is the person responsible for the
return-to-duty process. To be considered a
SAP, an individual must have the following
credentials and training:
Credentials. A SAP is a licensed
physician, a licensed or certified social
worker, a licensed or certified psychologist,
a licensed or certified employee assistance
professional, or a drug and alcohol
counselor certified by the National
Association of Alcoholism and Drug Abuse
Counselors Certification Commission
(NAADAC), or the International
Certification Reciprocity
Consortium/Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse
(ICRC).
Basic Knowledge. A SAP must be
knowledgeable about and have clinical
experience in the diagnosis and treatment of
alcohol and controlled substance-related
disorders. A SAP must be knowledgeable
about the Part 40 requirements and the DOT
agency (i.e., FTA) regulations applicable to
the employers they serve, and the DOT SAP
Guidelines. The SAP Guidelines can be
obtained from the ODAPC. More
important, however, the SAP must be
knowledgeable about their function and how
it relates to the employer’s interests in
safety-sensitive duties. The SAP must also
Chapter 5. Training 5-11 August 2002