Ensure a Secure and Efficient Workplace with a Pre-employment Drug Testing Program
In various industries, pre-employment drug testing plays a pivotal role in upholding a secure and productive work atmosphere. In addition, the persistent nationwide challenge of illicit substance abuse underscores the increasing importance of drug screening.
A pre-employment drug screening initiative aids in:
Elevating Safety Standards
Pre-employment and regular drug testing serve as a protective measure, ensuring the safety, well-being, and security of both employees and customers.
Adhering to Legal Requirements
Compliance with industry-specific laws, regulations, and corporate policies may necessitate the practice of drug testing.
Reducing Workers' Compensation Costs
Drug screening effectively mitigates workplace accidents and injuries associated with alcohol or substance misuse.
Key Features
Turn’s drug testing system offers both employers and candidates a single, user-friendly web-based portal. This portal grants access to every phase of the drug test transaction, ranging from the initial order to result reporting. The system ensures real-time status updates at every step, featuring online dashboard views, proactive email notifications, user-friendly access controls, and a transparent compliance process.
Our employers and their candidates enjoy a more efficient drug testing process, with the convenience of scheduling drug tests electronically. Furthermore, a Medical Review Officer (MRO) team expedites the review process when non-negative results are reported by the laboratory. Our web-based portal also simplifies data entry with automated pre-fill for forms, offers a user-friendly self-scheduling feature for employers and candidates, provides real-time online administrative controls, and offers exceptional support for remote HR teams.
Turn’s platform gives employers and their candidates real-time access to an extensive network of collection sites and testing laboratories that are SAMHSA-certified and nationally accredited to ensure the highest standards and federally compliant services. Additionally, we offer connectivity to an expanded network of after-hours collection sites, including clinics with extended hours, hospital emergency room services, and mobile collectors, ensuring services are available 24/7/365.
Types of Drug Tests
We offer a range of testing options to accommodate various drug combinations, ranging from 4-panel to 10-panel screens. These options encompass blood, urine, hair, and breath tests, and you can choose between lab-based and onsite screening for your convenience.
Onsite testing enables you to conduct tests at a location of your choosing, granting you control and flexibility regarding the timing and venue for your testing needs. Furthermore, Turn provides the added convenience of onsite oral fluid drug testing, with results available on the same day and accessible through your Turn dashboard.
Which drug testing program works for your organization?
Employers are keen on hiring qualified candidates for their job openings. While employment and education checks help ensure potential employees possess the necessary skills, pre-employment drug testing plays a crucial role in reducing costs and risks associated with drug use in the workplace. It also assists in complying with state and federal laws that mandate the maintenance of a drug-free workplace.
Lab-based testing
- Candidates must go to a lab site (and may be required to book an appointment)
- Results in 2-5 business days
- Options include: oral fluid, urine, blood, hair, and sweat
- More flexible for remote working
Onsite drug screening
- Administered onsite
- Collected by the employer
- Same-day results
- Oral fluid (saliva) collection
- Nearly identical results: 98% or better accuracy
- Ideal for in-person work environments
Frequently Asked Questions About Pre-Employment Drug Testing
Pre-employment drug testing is the process of detecting the presence of alcohol and controlled substances in specimens like blood or urine. This testing aids in assessing a candidate’s suitability for a role and contributes to maintaining a safe work environment. Some positions, particularly those regulated by the US Department of Transportation (DOT), necessitate drug testing as a prerequisite for employment. Other safety-sensitive roles, such as those in manufacturing, warehousing, or healthcare, may also utilize pre-employment drug testing.
A pre-employment drug test typically screens for substances such as:
- Alcohol
- Amphetamines
- Barbiturates
- Benzodiazepines
- Cocaine
- Marijuana
- Methadone / Methaqualone
- Opiates
- Phencyclidine
- Propoxyphen
Employers can choose from various types of drug tests depending on their company policies and the substances they wish to detect. Common drug screening methods include blood tests, urinalysis, hair testing, oral fluid testing, and breath alcohol testing. These screening methods are available in different “panels,” each testing for a specific number of substances, such as 5-panel, 7-panel, 9-panel, and 10-panel tests. The 5-panel drug test is the most commonly used pre-employment drug screening method, detecting amphetamines, cannabinoids (THC), cocaine, opiates, and phencyclidine (PCP).
If a candidate fails a pre-employment drug test, employers should consult their company’s written drug policy and review applicable federal and state laws to determine the appropriate course of action. Some states allow candidates to explain a positive test result within a specified number of days, as false positives can impact results. Drug testing conducted through a consumer reporting agency (CRA), like Turn, must adhere to the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), which outlines the adverse action process if a drug test affects an employer’s hiring decision. State pre-employment drug testing laws vary, but they often guide the next steps or consequences for a candidate who fails a drug test.
Typically, most drug test results are returned within three business days after the candidate or worker provides a sample or specimen. However, specimens requiring additional testing or results that necessitate follow-up by a Medical Review Officer may extend the turnaround time. The use of a paper-based process may also cause delays.
A negative drug test result indicates the absence of the tested substance in the specimen. Conversely, a positive result typically means the detection of one or more tested substances. Turn offers an online Turn Dashboard for employers and candidates to easily access final results (negative or positive) for pre-employment drug tests. Employers should consult their drug policy to interpret results in compliance with hiring laws.
A comprehensive drug testing program involves several steps. However, before starting, your organization should establish a written drug screening policy that aligns with federal and state laws. Keep in mind that some states have specific laws or guidelines related to pre-employment drug tests. For example, in most states, a conditional offer of employment must be extended before requiring candidates to undergo a drug test or occupational health check. It’s advisable to work with legal counsel to ensure compliance with these requirements.
- Issue an invitation to a candidate through your
Turn dashboard to participate in a pre-employment drug test. - The candidate receives the invitation, schedules their appointment, and completes the test before the specified deadline.
- Upon completion, the results undergo review by a Medical Review Officer (MRO).
- Final results are posted on the Turn dashboard for your review and for the candidate to review.
- Drug test results are reported as either negative (no evidence of the listed substance) or positive (evidence of one or more of the listed substances).
Disclaimer
The resources provided here are for educational purposes only and do not constitute legal advice. We advise you to consult your own legal counsel for questions related to your specific practices and compliance with applicable laws.