2025 Medical Review Officer Online Course with Live Discussion (Includes Digital Syllabus)-Tab 5- Substance Abuse Professionals/Employee Assistance Programs

Tab 5- Substance Abuse Professionals/Employee Assistance Programs

Pdf Summary

This document outlines the role, qualifications, and responsibilities of Substance Abuse Professionals (SAP) and Employee Assistance Programs (EAP) in the context of Department of Transportation (DOT) drug and alcohol regulations under 49 CFR Part 40 Subpart O.<br /><br />A SAP is a licensed or certified professional who evaluates employees who have violated DOT drug and alcohol regulations. Their main role is to protect public safety by recommending substance abuse education, treatment, follow-up testing, and aftercare. Eligible SAPs include licensed physicians, social workers, psychologists, certified counselors, and marriage and family therapists. They must complete specialized training on DOT regulations, pass an examination, and maintain continuing education credits.<br /><br />SAP responsibilities include conducting initial clinical assessments, making appropriate education and treatment referrals, and preparing detailed evaluation reports on their official letterhead. SAPs cannot refer employees to their own private practice or any entity where they have a financial interest except in limited exceptions. Employers or employees cannot request additional evaluations or alter SAP recommendations, but SAPs can modify recommendations based on new treatment information.<br /><br />Follow-up evaluations determine if employees have complied successfully with treatment recommendations. SAPs may require follow-up drug and alcohol testing, usually a minimum of six tests over 12 months, potentially extending up to 60 months. SAP reports guide employers’ decisions to return employees to safety-sensitive duties; however, SAPs do not make fitness-for-duty determinations.<br /><br />EAPs provide education, supervisor training, employee evaluations, and referral services related to substance abuse but cannot return an employee to duty without SAP involvement. Employers are not obligated to pay for SAP evaluations or treatments, nor to reinstate employees who violate DOT rules.<br /><br />The document also includes questions for self-assessment of knowledge regarding SAP/EAP processes, emphasizing the importance of SAP’s follow-up evaluations and reporting requirements in the return-to-duty process.

Keywords

Substance Abuse Professional

Employee Assistance Program

DOT drug and alcohol regulations

49 CFR Part 40 Subpart O

SAP qualifications

SAP responsibilities

follow-up testing

treatment referrals

fitness-for-duty

return-to-duty process