A specimen collector is an individual who instructs and helps workers at a specimen collection site. They usually receive and make an initial inspection of the employee’s specimen. And, they can initiate and complete the Custody and Control Form (CCF). A specimen collector is also a person in the drug testing process who often has direct contact with the worker. Without the specimen collector making sure that there is integrity in the specimen and collection process, the drug testing can lose credibility.
Remember that the procedure involved in collecting urine specimens tends to be specific, especially when performing a DOT-required urine specimen collection. This is the reason why you need to visit worktraining.com to see the training course that can help you to understand the urine specimen collection procedures. But some of the procedures include the use of CCF that applies only to DOT-required testing. This article discusses regulated urine drug testing.
Regulated Urine Drug Testing
Businesses that decide to have a drug-free workplace program assist to promote the health and safety of their workers. Most companies can choose to drug test their prospective or current employees while others do the regulated drug testing that is mandated by the Federal government.
You should note that a regulated drug test usually involves an alcohol or urine collection that is done for specific agencies that are categorized as safety-sensitive workplaces. This is because these workplaces have a potential influence on public safety. Also, take note that safety-sensitive workplaces fall under the Department of Transportation (DOT).
A regulated urine drug test is sometimes called a DOT drug test and includes five drug classes, which are amphetamines, marijuana, cocaine, opiates, and phencyclidine. The Federal drug testing program and regulated drug test collection process requirements are guided by the 40 CFR Part 40 of the DOT. It’s the rule of the United States Department of Transportation that states the requirements for employers to do and adhere to drug and alcohol testing programs in workplaces for jobs deemed to be safety-sensitive.
Because drug or alcohol use in the workplaces continues to be a concern, these drug screens assist to promote testing for federally mandated safety-sensitive employees and non-regulated workplaces by using DOT look-alike panels that mirror the specifications of regulated drug tests.
What Employees Can Expect During Their DOT Drug Test
It’s worth mentioning that a urine test collection site can often be a clinic, doctor’s office, or any other suitable location. Regardless of the site, it needs to be secure so that no person but the specimen collector and the employee can be in the same room while producing your urine specimen or when there is sealing and preparing your specimen for shipping.
Once you arrive at the specimen collection site, the specimen collector can ask you to present your photo ID. And, you can also ask for the ID of the collection person. The specimen collector can offer you a written explanation of the whole drug testing procedure. You need to read this explanation and ensure that you follow each step. If the collector asks you to sign a consent form, make sure that it should include your right to sue any person involved in the drug testing.
No person should be in the urine collection space except the collection site workers and you from the time you begin this urine collection procedure. The specimen collector can offer you single-use specimen bottles that have lids or caps and are securely sealed or wrapped in a protective cover. You should note that DOT recommends that the collection container and these bottles need to be wrapped separately.
And, before you decide to produce your urine sample, you must leave behind your jacket, coat, briefcase, purse, and many more. You can get a receipt for these items from the specimen collector, but you may have to keep your wallet.
Also, you have the right to provide your urine specimen in private, meaning that no person should observe you. The only exception is when the specimen collector has a reasonable suspicion that you may substitute or alter your urine sample.
This includes when they see some signs of specimen tampering, want to drug test you before you return to work after testing positive for the drug, or your last urine sample was abnormally dilute. Therefore, if the specimen collector observes you, they need to be of the same gender as you.
In most cases, a DOT drug test has to be 45 millilitres of urine. But if you fail to produce this amount in one attempt, the specimen collector can give you at least 40 ounces of fluid so that you can drink and need to remain at the specimen collection site for about 3 hours.
When you produce your urine sample, you should make sure that it remains in your sight until it’s sealed in the bottles and put in the shipping container. It’s a serious breach for an unsealed urine sample to leave your sight. In such cases, the entire procedure can be redone. If the specimen collector leaves the room between the period you produce the urine specimen and the time it’s sealed in the bottle and labelled, the test can be nullified.
The specimen collector can check the urine’s temperature within 4 minutes. They need to do it without placing anything in the urine sample that may contaminate it. For example, if a cup or any other disposable container is utilized, the specimen collector can put thirty millilitres of your urine sample into a specimen bottle. And, the remaining 14 millilitres can go into the other bottle to have a split sample. Both bottles need to be sealed using a tamper-proof seal.
Lastly, the specimen collector can fill out a CCF in 7 copies and you are requested to provide your phone number and date of birth. You can then sign the CCF and initial the label attached to the specimen bottle. The specimen collector can then offer you Copy 5 of the CCF. Remember that you need to write a note of the prescription or non-prescription medicines you may have used lately. You can do this on the back of the copy of the CCF, but this is just for your convenience.