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SAP|DOT Evaluation

Watchdog Solutions SAP|DOT Evaluation services are conducted by our Qualified Substance Abuse Professionals here in our office located in Lewisville, Texas.  The US Dept. of Transportation requires specialized training for Substance Abuse Professionals (SAP) conducting DOT compliant substance evaluations for employees in safety-sensitive duties of all respects. In addition to substance abuse certification, DOT / SAP’s must complete 12-hours of specialized training every three years (continuing education) and pass a national exam specific to DOT guidelines.
We will schedule most SAP|DOT Evaluation within 24-48 hours, usually on the same day of your call. We will provide a written report with formal recommendations within 48 hours of the evaluation.

The Department of Transportation requires companies employing individuals with CDLs (commercial driver license) who work in safety-sensitive areas of transportation; railroads, aviation, construction, OTR, oil and gas pipelines, industries are subject to drug and alcohol testing and are required by DOT to perform such testing.

DOT Requirements:

  • Pre-Employment
  • Random
  • Post-Accident
  • Reasonable Suspicion
  • Return to Duty

DOT Under CFR 49 Part 40, The Companies are required to provide a referral to an employee requiring a SAP Assessment.

The S.A.P. process includes:

  • 72 hour response time
  • Face to face clinical assessment with computer component
  • Referral for treatment or education (level determined by S.A.P.)
  • S.A.P. monitoring of employee in treatment
  • Face to face follow-up with clinical evaluation to determine if employee has complied to treatment and education recommendations
  • Follow-up testing schedule
  • Aftercare recommendations (as deemed necessary by SAP and compliance of participant)
  • Written reports sent to the employer’s designated representative keeping them abreast of referrals, monitoring, and recommendations

SAP Evaluations FAQ

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Reference Link: Substance Abuse Professionals (SAP)

U.S. Department of Transportation has published rules on who must conduct drug and alcohol tests, how to conduct those tests and what procedures to use when testing. These regulations cover all transportation employers, safety-sensitive transportation employee, and service agents.

Employers as a resource for DOT drug and alcohol testing information.

TAAP seeks to promote the advancement of Addiction Professionals by uniting addiction counseling professionals throughout Texas.

 Grace Counseling Center Lewisville Texas

Frequently asked questions

  • You may need a SAP evaluation if you are covered by the Department of Transportation (DOT) and have violated a Federal DOT drug or alcohol regulation.
  • Examples of violations include: testing positive for drugs in a urine test, refusal to test, inability to provide a specimen not due to a medical condition
  • When a violation has occurred you must be removed from all safety-sensitive duties and undergo an evaluation with a SAP.
  • It is important that a SAP conduct the evaluation in order to be in compliance with DOT guidelines. Not all drug and alcohol counselors can complete this type of evaluation.

Steps in the SAP evaluation process include

    • Initial appointment: The SAP will conduct a face-to-face appointment
    • Completion of recommendations
    • Follow-up appointment

  • At your appointment, it is important that you know the name of the Designated Employee Representative (DER). This is the individual the SAP will communicate with throughout the duration of the evaluation process.
  • Please know your social security number for identification purposes
  • Please know the nature and date of your violation
  • Before your follow-up appointment—please ensure that the counselor has received proof that you have completed the intervention recommendations DIRECTLY FROM THE PROVIDER

  • At minimum, a SAP must recommend some form of an education program.
  • If a client’s evaluation warrants further intervention the SAP can recommend things like counseling, intensive outpatient treatment or residential treatment services

  • A SAP cannot clear an individual to return-to-duty. This is the responsibility of the DER.
  • After the individual has completed the recommended interventions a follow-up appointment with the SAP is still needed. Proof of completion of these interventions must be sent directly from the provider to the SAP.

  • Most employers today maintain a drug-free workplace. Sometimes even non-DOT employers will initiate the SAP process in order to assure a safe work environment as well as for the welfare of that employee.