US DOT qualified Substance Abuse Professional

SAP Evaluations

Employees in jobs regulated by the U.S. Department of Transportation who violate rules regarding use of alcohol or drugs must follow certain steps before returning to safety-sensitive work under 49 CFR Part 40, Subpart O, starting with evaluation by a US DOT qualified Substance Abuse Professional (SAP), referral to appropriate treatment or education and successful completion, followed by a return-to-duty assessment with the SAP who will make recommendations for follow-up aftercar or additional education and provide your DOT Follow-Up Testing Plan to your present or future employer. 

After this, the employee will be eligible for his or her employer to order a US DOT Return To Duty test, and get back to work. 

Aa a SAP, federal law states that I have two clients. First, and first priority, is the traveling public. The safety-sensitive employee with a DOT rule violation takes second place to public safety. My credentials are available on request by employers wishing to verify my qualifications under US DOT rules.

This process with a US DOT qualified Substance Abuse Professional (SAP), includes:

• Conducting an initial face-to-face clinical evaluation, including standardized testing.
• Developing recommendations for treatment and/or education.
• Sending an initial evaluation report to the employer or, if employee has been released from employment, maintaining information for future employer.
• Assisting the employee in contacting the treatment provider and arranging for services.
• Maintaining regular contact with the treatment provider, to monitor the employee's treatment progress.
• Conducting a face-to-face, follow-up clinical evaluation to determine if the employee has complied with recommendations, and to measure success of treatment.
• Sending a follow-up report and follow-up testing plan to the employer.
• It is up to the employer to determine whether or not the employee returns to work, not the SAP.
• If the employee has been released from employment, this information is held for the future employer.

Tom Rue, MA, LMHC, CASAC, a mental health counselor since 1985 and a credentialed alcohol and substance abuse counselor since 1996 (certified through the International Certification and Reciprocity Consortium [IC&RC]), completed fourteen (14) contact hours of training in October 2012, successfully completing the exam requirement later the same month, both sponsored by the Employee Assistance Professionals Association. This training and exam meet the requirements of 40 CFR Part 40.281(c), Qualification Training for Federal DOT Regulations and Assessment Requirements for the Substance Abuse Professional (SAP); and has maintained the required SAP-specific continuing education requirements since. Up-to-date training info is on SAPList.com.

If you are seeking to schedule an appointment for an assessment, call 845-513-5002. Please be prepared to provide the following information during the initial call or fax it in advance to 866-428-0282:

• Your name, title, company name, address, phone number
• DOT Mode, i.e., FMCSA, FRA, FTA, FAA, RSPA or USCG
• Employee name, address, phone number
• Social security number
• Date of birth
• Violation and date of violation
• Current employment status
• Name of your employer's Designated Employer Representative (DER)
• Who is responsible for payment? If employer is, provide name and phone number of the DER for verification and arrangements.

For a SAP assessment, I am required to have copies of the lab report showing the DOT rule violation and the Chain of Custody Form for the testing specimen. The employee should already have copies of these, or can obtain them from the Medical Review Officer who called to explain the positive results of the drug or alcohol test. 

If fees are paid by the employer, full payment can be forwarded to Choices Mental Health Counseling PLLC at 7 Erie Avenue, Narrowsburg, NY 12764 at the time of the referral. 

If fees are paid by the client, full-payment is required prior to the evaluation. Payment must be in exact amount by cash or money order.

Things you need to know:

• SAP evaluation fees are non-refundable. Terms are outlined in this Statement of Understanding.
• When you come, bring proof of your identity and a copy of the drug screen results. If you do not have a copy of the lab test that resulted in your violation, please be sure that I receive it before your first visit.
• Your choice of a SAP is final. Once you start the return-to-duty process there is no shopping around. My recommendations are final and non-negotiable.

Before you can return to work:

• You must complete the recommended treatment or education program.
• Have a face-to-face follow-up evaluaton with me.
• After you have completed with me, complete a negative DOT drug test that is ordered by your employer.

See my listing on SAP List.

I have been registered since May 17, 2016 with the State of North Carolina, Division of Motor Vehicles, Commercial Driver License Unit, in that state's Professional SAP Directory of US DOT qualified SAPs. I welcome requests by other states or organizations for inclusion in their networks of verified providers.