christopher h. gerhart, mac SAP/DOT (256) 885-5193

One of the areas of my business where I have seen some growth is providing DOT/SAP evaluations.  Quite simply it works like this:

1.  A person in a safety-sensitive position has a positive drug screen.
2. They are removed from that position by their employer, fired or suspended.
3. They are then referred to a person known as a Substance Abuse Professional (SAP) for an evaluation.
4. The evaluation includes an assessment, several screening instruments, developing a treatment plan and referral to a service provider.  At a minimum, a person that violates a substance abuse rule must complete an educational program, usually 9-12 hours in length.
5. After the client has completed the required program, they are re-evaluated to determine the need, if any, for further services.  At this point a final evaluation is made and a specific recommendation for a testing schedule is made to the employer.

Anyhow, I really like doing these evaluations.  It is kind of like getting a survey done on a boat or a pre-purchase  inspection done on a house in that the person making the assessment is not the person, or agency, providing the service or making the repair.

Tags:  SAP, DOT, Evaluation, Assessment, Huntsville, Madison, Substance Abuse, Counseling, FMCSA, Rule Violation