STUDENT DRUG SCREEN POLICY Form B5-A

Any student who enrolls in a Regional EMS sponsored EMS program, which has a clinical component, is required to have a pre-clinical drug screening. The pre-clinical drug screen will be conducted after entering the EMS program but prior to participating in any clinical visitations. The student must abide by the Student Drug Screen Policy and all Clinical agency policies for which the student is assigned clinical practice. This policy includes random drug screening and reasonable suspicion screening. 

I. PRE-CLINICAL SCREENING

1. All students will receive notice of the drug screening guidelines prior to admission to the EMS program.
2. The EMS program will maintain on file a signed consent to drug screen from each student. Students have the right to refuse to consent to drug testing under this program; however, students who decline participation in the drug screen will not be permitted to participate in the EMT course.
3. The drug screen company will be selected by the Regional Office. All drug screen fees are paid by the student.
4. Completing the drug screening with a positive test result on the 9 Classes of Drugs as required by the ADPH OEMS, Regional Office and/or Clinical Agency will prohibit the student form completing the clinical component of the EMS course.
5. Positive drug screens will be confirmed by a Medical Review Officer.
6. Positive results, and verification of student status, will be provided to the Regional Office by the EMS Program.

II. REASONABLE SUSPICION SCREENING
Students may also be required to submit to reasonable suspicion testing. Reasonable suspicion is defined as but not limited to the following behaviors:

1. Observable phenomena, such as direct observation of drug use and/or the physical symptoms or manifestations of being under the influence of a drug;
2. Abnormal conduct or erratic behavior while on the clinical unit, absenteeism, tardiness or deterioration in performance;
3. Evidence of tampering with a drug test;
4. Information that the individual has caused or contributed to an incident in the clinical agency;
5. Evidence of involvement in the use, possession, sale, solicitation or transfer of drugs while enrolled in the programs.

At any point or time in a student’s enrollment, the student may subject to a reasonable suspicion drug screen. After a student’s behavior is noted as suspicious, the student will report for a drug screen at the designated time and place. The same procedural steps (1-11) outlined in Section III, Student Drug Screen Procedure, will be used.

 

III. STUDENT DRUG SCREEN PROCEDURE

1. Students must pay the screening fee prior to time of specimen collection.
2. Students must submit a photo ID and social security number at the time of specimen collection.
3. The collector will be a licensed medical professional or technician who has been trained for collection in accordance with Chain of Custody and Control procedures. The collector will explain the collection procedure and Chain of Custody form to the student and provide a sealed collection container.
4. Students must remove unnecessary out garments (coats, sweaters, bags, etc.) and remove items from pockets when entering the collection site.
5. The collector will collect a monitored urine specimen.
6. In the presence of the student, the collector will seal the urine specimen with a tamper proof security seal, and affix an identification label with code number.
7. The student will verify on the identification label, initial security seal, read and sign the Chain of Custody Form.
8. The collector will sign the Chain of Custody Form and give the student the appropriate copy.
9. The collector will forward the sealed urine specimen and Chain of Custody Form to the designated certified testing center/laboratory for testing.
10. Specimens will be screened for nine classes of drugs:

1. Amphetamines      4. Barbiturate              7. Benzodiazepines
2. Cocaine                 5. Cannabinoids          8. Methaqualone
3. Opiates                 6. Phencyclidine          9. Propoxyphen

Positive screens will be confirmed by the Medical Review Officer.

IV. CONFIDENTIALITY
The EMS Coordinator will receive all test results. Confidentiality of the test results will be maintained. Only the EMS Coordinator will have access to the results, the exception being if any legal action occurs which requires access to the test results.

V. APPEALS PROCESS FOR POSITIVE SCREENS

1. If a student drug screen is positive for drugs, the student will contact the EMS Coordinator.
2. The student will then contact the Medical Review Officer (MRO) and follow the procedure for split specimen testing as stipulated by the lab.
3. The student is responsible for any costs associated with the splits specimen testing procedure.
4. Once the student obtains the results of the split specimen testing, the student should contact the EMS Coordinator. If the student remains unsatisfied, the student should explain to the Program Director in writing his or her complaint. The Program Director will have seven working days to respond.
5. If the student cannot reach an agreement with the EMS Program director, the student’s next step is to present documentation to the OEMS&T. The OEMS&T will have seven working days to respond.

 

Drug screening policies/program suggested or required by the ADPH OEMS&T, EMS Regional Office, and/or various intuitions with which the Regional Office contracts may vary from time to time in any or all of their aspects. Students will be required to comply with the screening which satisfies the program or requirement established by the ADPH OEMS&T or any clinical agency with whom the Regional Office contracts for clinical experience, whether it is pre-clinical drug screening, random drug screen, or reasonable suspicious screening.

Some of the nine classes of drugs for which screening will be conducted are available by prescription from health care practitioners. Prescription drugs prescribed to a student by an appropriate health care practitioner my nevertheless be subject to abuse and may give rise to reasonable suspicion testing. The fact that a student has a prescription for one or more of the ten classes of drugs which are legally prescribed by a health care practitioner does not necessarily, in and of itself, excuse the student from the effect if this policy. The MRO will follow up and give recommendation(s).

 

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STUDENT DRUG SCREEN PARTICIPATION AGREEMENT Form B5-B

I understand that any student who enrolls in the EMS Program, and desires to participate in courses which have a clinical component, is required to have a pre-clinical drug screen.  

I acknowledge that I have received a copy of the EMS Program’s Student Drug Screen Policy (Form B5-A), have read the policy, and understand the requirements of the policy.

I further understand that the information contained in these reports may be used to deny placement in clinical agencies.  Questionable/suspect findings on the drug screening will be reported to the EMS Program Director, Regional EMS Agency, and/or other designed person at the appropriate clinical facility. I understand that the EMS Program Director will notify me of questionable/suspect findings prior to notification of the clinical facilities for a determination regarding student acceptance for clinical experience.

I further understand that if I have a drug screen that renders me ineligible; and I am denied access to clinical learning experiences at the clinical affiliate(s), that I will be dismissed from the program without eligibility for taking the National Registry examination. 

By signing the document, I am indicating that I have read, understand, and voluntarily agree to the required drug screen. I understand that these results are confidential and will not be otherwise released without my authorization. I hereby release the EMT Program, ADPH OEMS, EMS Regional Office, and its affiliates from any and all liability, claims, and/or demands of whatever kind related to my completed background screen.