Employee Resources

How Do I Get Back to Work?

Have you tested positive, refused a test or have a violation for drugs or alcohol and since been removed from safety-sensitive duty?

A Substance Abuse Professional (SAP) will have to:

 

  • Conduct a thorough face-to-face assessment
  • Recommend a required plan of treatment and/or education
  • Send a report to your employer about that recommendation
  • Monitor your progress through that plan
  • Conduct a face-to-face follow-up evaluation, to verify that you completed the recommendation and that it was successful

SAP REFERRAL FORM

What is a SAP, and Why Do I Need Them?

A Substance Abuse Professional (SAP) is a person who helps DOT regulated employees return to work after a DOT violation has occurred, such as a failed drug and/or alcohol test or a refusal to test. As described in the DOT employee handbook (DOT, 2019a), SAPs are the “gatekeepers to the re-entry program”. They determine when a safety-sensitive employee is prepared to return to work safely.

 

SAPs act as a neutral party and do not decide if an employee should be terminated or re-hired. Those decisions are up to the employer and their company policy. A SAP’s job is to clinically assess and evaluate to provide a personalized treatment and/or education plan for each individual in alignment with DOT protocol. In DOT cases, public safety is the mission and the primary client. SAPs conduct face-to-face evaluations to approve employees to return to safety-sensitive duties.

 

Qualified DOT SAPs need to maintain specific qualifications mandated by the DOT under 49CFR Part 40. TCS ensures documentation of updated licensure/certification, qualification training, examination and continuing education for all TCS providers.

How Do I Get Started?

Getting back to work is as easy as 1, 2, 3.

 

Step 1: Call (410) 779-1314 to make an appointment

 

Step 2: PAY ONLINE

 

Step 3: Confirm Assignment in FMCSA CLEARING HOUSE

What is an FMCA Clearinghouse?

The FMCSA Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse is a secure, online database that will give employers and other authorized users real-time information about commercial driver’s license (CDL) and commercial learner’s permit (CLP) holders’ drug and alcohol program violations. The Clearinghouse was an act of Congress directed by the Secretary of Transportation back in 2012.

 

The Clearinghouse will improve safety on our Nation’s roadways by giving employers access to information they need to make informed safety decisions about when current or prospective drivers with drug and alcohol violations can safely resume safety-sensitive functions after completing the required return-to-duty process. The Clearinghouse launched on January 6th, 2020 for those authorized to utilize it.

 

Drivers will need to be registered to view their own Clearinghouse record electronically, or to provide electronic consent for a current or prospective employer to conduct a full query (including pre-employment query) in the Clearinghouse. Failing to consent to a query or identify a qualified DOT Substance Abuse Professional (SAP) in the return-to-duty process will result in a driver being prohibited from performing safety-sensitive functions for the employer conducting the query.

 

FMCSA CLEARING HOUSE DRIVER RESOURCES

After You Return to Work

If you return to work, you will be subject to follow-up testing.

The SAP must set up a follow-up testing plan of no fewer than 6 unannounced tests, over at least 12 months. The SAP could require any number of tests, over 60 months. Specimen collection will be observed.

Frequently Asked Questions


The Clearinghouse is a secure online database that gives employers, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), State Driver Licensing Agencies (SDLAs), and State law enforcement personnel real-time information about commercial driver’s license (CDL) and commercial learner’s permit (CLP) holders’ drug and alcohol program violations. The Clearinghouse was an act of Congress directed by the Secretary of Transportation back in 2012.

The Clearinghouse contains records of violations of drug and alcohol prohibitions in 49 CFR Part 382, Subpart B, including positive drug or alcohol test results, test refusals and actual knowledge violations. When a driver completes the return-to-duty process and follow-up testing plan, this information is also recorded in the Clearinghouse. The Clearinghouse launched on January 6th, 2020 for those authorized to utilize.


Violation records for CDL drivers stay on the Clearinghouse site for five years after successful completion of the DOT return-to-duty process and follow-up testing plan.


Yes. The Clearinghouse will identify drivers who move frequently and obtain CDLs in different states and link those CDLs, in order to maintain complete and accurate information on such drivers.


Yes. If you failed or refused a DOT Federal Motor Carriers Safety Administration (FMCSA) drug and/or alcohol test or had an actual knowledge violation, it is reported in the FMCSA Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse if it occurred on or after January 6, 2020. The FMCSA Clearinghouse is a secure online database which contains records of violations of drug and alcohol prohibitions in 49 CFR Part 382, Subpart B, including positive drug and/or alcohol test results, test refusals and actual knowledge violations. Only violations that fall under and tested under FMCSA are reported into the Clearinghouse. The Clearinghouse database was a congressional mandate directed to FMCSA agency. All DOT or Federal agencies are still required to follow 49 CFR Part 40 (FAA, FTA, FRA, PHMSA and USCG), including FMCSA pertaining drug and alcohol violations.


Drivers are not required to register for the Clearinghouse. However, a driver will need to be registered to provide electronic consent in the Clearinghouse if a prospective or current employer needs to conduct a full query of the driver’s Clearinghouse record—this includes all pre-employment queries. A driver must also be registered to electronically view the information in his or her own Clearinghouse record. Registered drivers will have their Clearinghouse accounts and contact preferences set up, allowing them to quickly respond to query requests from employers.


All DOT regulated safety-sensitive employees/candidates employed in the aviation, railroad, public transit, trucking, maritime, and pipeline industries who have violated federal DOT drug and alcohol testing rules with a positive test result, a refusal to test or other violation.

If you fall under Federal Aviation (FAA), Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), Federal Transit Administration (FTA), Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) or the United States Coast Guard (USCG) and you failed or refused a DOT drug and/or alcohol test you must still complete the return-to-duty process in order to return to safety-sensitive duty.


Yes. Once you have violated the Department of Transportation (DOT) drug and alcohol testing regulations, you are considered ineligible to perform safety-sensitive duties for any employer until you have completed the return-to-duty process.


Violation records for CDL drivers stay on the Clearinghouse site for five years after successful completion of the DOT return-to-duty process and follow-up testing plan.


If you are a DOT-mandated employee, and you receive a positive test, you must be removed from safety-sensitive duty until you complete the return-to-duty process. The Substance Abuse Professional (SAP) portion is a part of the DOT return-to-duty process. ASAP has over 5,000 SAP locations nationwide to help get you back to work safely.


The time it takes to complete the SAP portion of the DOT return-to-duty process varies per case. The SAP will make a clinical assessment and recommend treatment(s) and/or education based on your individual needs. Note: The SAP must make a recommendation for some level of care per DOT CFR 49 Part 40, Subpart O.


Yes, you must test negative on an observed DOT return-to-duty (RTD) drug/alcohol screen before returning to DOT safety-sensitive work. Your employer or prospective employer will request the RTD test, which supersedes a pre-employment test in this situation. You are also subject to unannounced and observed follow-up tests for a period of 1 to 5 years according to a plan determined by the SAP and provided to your employer.

 
 

Additional Resources

There are a multitude of additional resources available for our patients.

 

LEARN MORE

Welcome to Transitional Care Services, where we offer expert Employee Assistance Programs (EAP) for employees in Maryland. Our company takes pride in its ability to provide much-needed support to employees experiencing personal, emotional, or work-related problems that may impact their overall wellbeing.

We understand that modern-day employees face numerous challenges, both in their personal and professional lives. Work-related stress can emerge from a demanding workload, conflicts with colleagues, or even health-related issues. Personal life can also present challenges, including family issues, financial stress, or substance abuse, to name a few. Therefore, we are here to help employers in Maryland provide top-notch Employee Assistance Programs to their employees.

Our Employee EAP Programs for Employees in Maryland

Our team of professionals is available round the clock to help address any issues concerning employees in Maryland. We understand that a healthy workforce equals a healthy business, and that’s why we strive to provide the best Employee Assistance Program counseling in Maryland.

We offer a variety of services designed to help employees experiencing work or life-related issues. These services include counseling, financial advice, legal guidance, and more. Specifically, we offer the following Employee Assistance Programs for Employees in Maryland:

Counseling Services
We have a team of certified Employee Assistance Program Counselors in Maryland who are available to provide counseling services. Our counselors are experienced in dealing with various issues, including anxiety, stress, depression, and substance abuse. Our Professional Counselors offer telephonic and video counseling sessions, as well as face-to-face counseling, depending on the employee’s preference.

Work and Life Balance Assistance
Work-life balance can be a challenge, especially in today’s world where technology blurs the lines between work and home. Our Employee Assistance Program in Maryland offers programs designed to help employees maximize their work time and maintain a balanced home life. We do this by providing resources to employees that can help them manage relationships, finances, and health.

Financial Assistance
Financial stress can be a significant source of anxiety for employees. Our Employee Assistance Program in Maryland provides resources and counseling aimed at helping employees improve their financial wellness. We offer financial literacy training, debt counseling, and budgeting advice to help employees improve their financial stability.

Why Choose Our Employee Assistance Program

At Transitional Care Services, we take pride in offering top-notch Employee Assistance Programs to employees in Maryland. Our experience in providing EAP Programs for Employees in Maryland has made us a trusted partner for various organizations across the state. Here’s why our Employee Assistance Program counseling in Maryland is the best:

Expert Team
We have a team of HR Consultants and Employee Assistance Program Counselors in Maryland with extensive experience in providing EAP services to employees. Our professionals understand the various challenges faced by modern employees, and are trained to help them overcome their problems.

Comprehensive EAP Programs
Our Employee Assistance Programs for Employees in Maryland are designed to address every aspect of an employee’s life. We offer a comprehensive range of services, including counseling, financial advice, legal guidance, and more, to help employees overcome their challenges.

Customizable Services
We understand that different organizations have varying needs, especially when it comes to EAP programs. That is why we offer customizable services tailored to the specific needs of each organization. Our Employee Assistance Program MA can be adapted to suit the unique requirements of your organization.

Confidential EAP Programs
Confidentiality is crucial in EAP programs, and we understand that. Our Employee Assistance Program counseling in Maryland is confidential, ensuring that employees feel comfortable seeking help without fear of judgment or repercussions.

Contact Us Today!

At Transitional Care Services, we offer expert Employee Assistance Programs for employees in Maryland. Our comprehensive services are designed to help employees overcome the various challenges they face in their personal and work lives. Get in touch with us today to learn more about our Employee Assistance Program MA and how it can help your organization. We are always ready to offer help and support to both employers and employees.

GET IN TOUCH

Getting started with individual therapy sessions may be intimidating, but a good therapist will work with you, listen without judgement, and help you gain clarity and insight. Set up an appointment today!

REQUEST AN APPOINTMENT