Agenda - Council - 12/12/2023 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Controlled substance testing generally takes about 15 minutes. At the collection site, the driver will be given a sealed container and must provide at least 45 ml of urine for testing. Once the sample is provided the collection personnel will check the temperature and color and look for signs of contamination. The urine is then split into two separate specimen containers (A, or "primary," and B, or"split") with identifying labels and security seals affixed to both. The collection facility will be responsible for maintaining a proper chain of custody for delivery of the sample to a DHHS-certified laboratory for analysis. The laboratory will retain a sufficient portion of any positive sample for testing and store that portion in a scientifically acceptable manner for a minimum 365-day period. If an employee fails to provide a sufficient amount of urine to permit a controlled substance test (45 milliliters of urine), the collector will discard the insufficient specimen, unless there is evidence of tampering with that specimen. The collector will urge the driver to drink up to 40 ounces of fluid, distributed reasonably over a period of up to three hours, or until the driver has provided a sufficient urine specimen, whichever occurs first. If the driver has not provided a sufficient specimen within three hours of the first unsuccessful attempt, the collector will cease efforts to attempt to obtain a specimen. The driver must then obtain, within five calendar days, an evaluation from a licensed physician, acceptable to the MRO, who has expertise in the medical issues raised by the employee's failure to provide a sufficient specimen. If the licensed physician concludes the driver has a medical condition, or with a high degree of probability could have, precluded the driver from providing a sufficient amount of urine, the City will consider the test to have been canceled. If a licensed physician cannot make such a determination, the City will consider the driver to have engaged in a refusal to test and will take appropriate disciplinary action under this policy. The primary specimen is used for the first test. If the test is negative, it is reported to the MRO who then reports the result, following a review of the CCF Form for compliance, to the City. If the initial result is positive or non-negative, a"confirmatory retest"will be conducted on the primary specimen. If the confirmatory re-test is also positive, the result will be sent to the MRO. The MRO will contact the driver to verify the positive result. If the MRO is unable to reach the driver directly, the MRO must contact the City who will direct the driver to contact the MRO. Review of Test Results The MRO is a licensed physician with knowledge and clinical experience in substance abuse disorders and is responsible for receiving and reviewing laboratory results of the controlled substances test as well as evaluating medical explanations for certain drug test results. Prior to making a final decision to verify a positive test result, the MRO will give the driver or the job applicant an opportunity to discuss the test result, typically through a phone call. The MRO, or a staff person under the MRO's supervision, will contact the individual directly, on a confidential basis, to determine whether the individual wishes to discuss the test result. If the employee or job applicant wishes to discuss the test result: • The individual may be required to speak and/or meet with the MRO, who will review the individual's medical history, including any medical records provided. • The individual will be afforded the opportunity to discuss the test results and to offer any additional or clarifying information which may explain the positive test result. If the employee or job applicant, believes a mistake was made at the collection site, at the labor, on 1161Page