SAP

A U.S. Department of Transportation Substance Abuse Professional (SAP) operates as a “gatekeeper” of the return to-duty process and provides an important service to the employee, the employer and the traveling public.

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Specifically, Substance Abuse Professionals (SAP’s) evaluate workers who have violated a U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) drug and alcohol program regulation and make recommendations concerning education, treatment, follow-up testing and continuing care.

SAP’s provide the following services for their clients:

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• Conduct comprehensive face-to-face assessment and clinical evaluation to determine what level of assistance the employee needs in resolving problems associated with alcohol use or prohibited drug use;

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• Recommend a course of education and/or treatment with which the employee must comply prior to returning to DOT safety-sensitive duty;

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• Serve as a referral source to assist the employee’s entry into an acceptable program;

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• Conduct a face-to-face follow-up evaluation with the employee to determine if the individual has demonstrated successful compliance with recommendations of the initial evaluation and has made appropriate clinical progress sufficient to return to duty;

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• Develop and direct a follow-up testing plan for the employee returning to work following successful compliance; and

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• Provide the employee and employer with recommendations for continuing care.