{"id":50998,"date":"2015-09-20T14:37:16","date_gmt":"2015-09-20T14:37:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nationaldrugscreening.com\/?p=50998"},"modified":"2023-09-06T12:28:48","modified_gmt":"2023-09-06T17:28:48","slug":"ctpa-or-program-manager","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.nationaldrugscreening.com\/blogs\/ctpa-or-program-manager\/","title":{"rendered":"Who is in Charge of the Company Drug Testing Program"},"content":{"rendered":"\r\n<p>Typically the company drug testing program is managed by what is called a Program Manager or Designed Employer Representative (DER).\u00a0 Many employer use the services of a Consortia\/Third Party Administrator (C\/TPA) to help with the management of the drug testing program.\u00a0 Expert assistance from a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nationaldrugscreening.com\/employer-programs\/\">professional C\/TPA<\/a> is available.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p><strong><em>Reprinted from September Issue of Occupational Health &amp; Safety Magazine &#8211; September 2015 &#8211; <\/em><\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/ohsonline.com\/Articles\/2015\/09\/01\/What-to-Look-For.aspx\">What to Look for in a C\/TPA or Program Manager<\/a><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Drug &amp; alcohol testing is serious business.\u00a0 It is not like buying office supplies and you get the lowest price for 100 Swingline staplers; you need a drug testing program with many moving parts and you need service, compliance, accuracy and someone who will answer the phone.\u00a0 There will always be questions and you need a vendor that will answer your questions.\u00a0 This article will focus on what end-users should look for when contracting with a C\/TPA or Program Manager.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Let\u2019s start with some basic concepts.\u00a0 The term Consortia\/Third Party Administrator (C\/TPA) was coined by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nationaldrugscreening.com\/dot-drug-test\/\"><strong>DOT<\/strong><\/a> with the rewrite of 49 CFR Part 40 back in 2001. For the purpose of this article the terms C\/TPA and TPA shall have the same meaning and are interchangeable and shall refer to both DOT and Non-DOT drug and alcohol testing programs.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>The Program Manager is typically an in house employee of a large employer that intimately manages the drug and alcohol testing program and often acts in place of a C\/TPA.\u00a0 Typically this is a hybrid program where some functions of the program are outsourced to service agents.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>The C\/TPA is providing or coordinating the provision of a variety of drug and alcohol testing services to employers.\u00a0 This may be for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nationaldrugscreening.com\/dot-drug-test\/\"><strong>DOT and\/or Non DOT programs<\/strong><\/a>.\u00a0 The variety of drug and alcohol testing services are provided by service agents.\u00a0 Many times the C\/TPA provides some of these services directly as the service agent and often some or all of these services are outsourced. Listed below are the service agents involved in the business of providing drug and alcohol testing and drug free workplace programs. \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<ul>\r\n<li>Specimen Collectors (the collector)<\/li>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<li>Collection Site<\/li>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<li>Breath Alcohol Technician (BAT) and\/or Screening Test Technician (STT)<\/li>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<li>Laboratory<\/li>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<li>Instant Testing\u00a0<em>Distributors<\/em><\/li>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<li>Medical Review Officer (MRO)<\/li>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<li>Employee Assistance Program (EAP)<\/li>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<li>Substance Abuse Professional (SAP)<\/li>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<li>Policy Consultant or Writer<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>So what do you look for in a C\/TPA?\u00a0 My good friend Dr. Carol Law out of Pensacola, Florida talks about the C\/TPA employer relationship like a marriage.\u00a0 She emphasizes that the contract or agreement between the employer and C\/TPA can be like a Pre-Nup agreement and it is best this benefits both sides in the event of a breakup.\u00a0 So in looking for a TPA, I suggest that you first clearly list what services you need.\u00a0 This will depend greatly on your operation and several questions:<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<ul>\r\n<li>Do you have DOT regulated employees?<\/li>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<li>Do you have both DOT and Non DOT regulated employees?<\/li>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<li>Are you in a State with a Drug Free Workplace program?<\/li>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<li>Do you operate in one State or multiple States?<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>As you answer these questions and list clearly what services you need, you can then start matching up qualified TPA\u2019s that can provide these services.\u00a0 The local doctors\u2019 office that handles your employment physicals may also be qualified to collect urine specimens; but are they qualified to manage a DOT and NON DOT program in its entirety?\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Some of the basics in evaluating a prospective TPA to work with you in your <strong>employer drug testing program<\/strong> include insurance coverage, qualification, certification, experience and ability to handle your specific needs as an employer.\u00a0 A TPA that specializes and has knowledge with Federal Motor Carrier Safety (FMCSA) drug testing programs may not have the same knowledge and experience in managing Federal Aviation Administration Programs. Depending on what State or States you are located in for your non-DOT drug testing program, the TPA must have knowledge of the State law and expertise in any State drug-free workplace program available.\u00a0 Many States offer discounts on worker&#8217;s compensation insurance when the employer implements a comprehensive drug-free workplace program; if you are taking advantage of these programs and receiving the discount you will want a TPA who has knowledge and experience with that particular State program.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Insurance \u2013 check with your TPA and get copies of insurance certificates to verify insurance coverage for Professional Liability &#8211; Errors and Omissions.\u00a0 Make sure this coverage is for drug and alcohol testing.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Qualification &amp; Experience \u2013 what makes your TPA qualified to do the job you need done for your specific needs, ask the TPA to tell you what makes them qualified. What is the TPA experience and how long have they been in business, do they service similar employers.\u00a0 Can the TPA provide you references?\u00a0 Does the TPA belong as active members to drug testing industry associations?\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Certifications \u2013 what certifications does the TPA have to demonstrate their commitment to their industry, education and standards?\u00a0 Look for a TPA that has received status as Nationally Accredited for Administration of Drug and Alcohol Testing Programs (NAADATP).\u00a0 This is an Accreditation from the Drug &amp; Alcohol Industry Association (DATIA merged with\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/ndasa.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">NDASA<\/a>\u00a0in 2023) for TPA\u2019s. Those TPA\u2019s receiving NAADATP Accreditation adhere to a national standards program for companies who provide drug free workplace program management services, to ensure they have company specific standard operating procedures, safeguards, knowledge and professional practices that keep their clients in compliance with federal and State drug and alcohol testing regulations. By utilizing a NAADATP provider, employers can rest assured that the provider of services is in full compliance with regulations. Through the required contract process, employers are made aware of what services they are being provided. In cases where the client does not have all services provided by the NAADATP provider, the contract spells out what additional services need to be performed for the employer to be in full compliance with any applicable federal regulations, State laws and best practices.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>All <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nationaldrugscreening.com\/order-drug-tests\/\">companies needing drug testing<\/a><\/strong> will need specimen collection services.\u00a0 Most specimen collections are contracted out.\u00a0 It is extremely important that collectors are well training and qualified to perform the specimen collections within applicable federal regulations, State laws and best practices.\u00a0 Ask the TPA about the specimen collection process and how the TPA insures the collectors are properly trained and qualified.\u00a0 A drug test event can go bad real quick at the point of collection if the collector does not follow the correct procedures.\u00a0 Many collectors have received status as Certified Professional Collectors (CPC).\u00a0 This collector certification from DATIA aims to ensure that the collection is performed in a professional and consistent manner, maintaining confidentiality for the donor and security, integrity and control of the specimen.\u00a0 Always seek to use collectors that are Certified Professional Collectors (CPC\u2019s) and collection sites that have received status as an Accredited Collection Facility (ACF).\u00a0 Collection sites that have received the DATIA ACF status uphold the highest professional standards in the following two main areas: 1) the collection facility and its operation and 2) the collection facility&#8217;s personnel. To obtain accredited status, collection facilities are required to adhere to strict standards in areas such as regulatory compliance, company services standards, specimen handling, operational practices, business ethics, and facility equipment. All accredited collection facilities are also required to maintain a staff of Certified Professional Collectors (CPC\u2019s).\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>For <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nationaldrugscreening.com\/employer-programs\/\">workplace drug testing<\/a><\/strong>, your laboratory should be certified by the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).\u00a0 This is the gold standard for labs performing workplace drug testing and required for DOT drug testing and under many State laws.\u00a0 These labs are subject to multiple rigorous inspections each year insuring quality control. Using a SAMHSA Certified Lab ensures that every test you perform on an employee or applicant will stand up in a court proceeding, it is a defensible test. \u00a0 \u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>The <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nationaldrugscreening.com\/mro-service\/\">Medical Review Officer (MRO)<\/a><\/strong> closes out the drug test result with review and verification.\u00a0 Any prescription drug use is taken into account.\u00a0 MRO\u2019s are required to have extensive training and certification typically by the Medical Review Officer Certification Council (MROCC) or the American Association of Medical Review Officers\u2019 (AAMRO).\u00a0 Other organizations that certify MRO\u2019s include the American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine (ACOEM) and the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM).\u00a0 Ask to see your MRO\u2019s certification and also ask if the MRO is full time as an MRO.\u00a0 Some practicing physicians are also MRO\u2019s.\u00a0 You really want to use an MRO service that employs full time MRO\u2019s.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>One you find the TPA that will work well for your business, the final scrutiny is in the contract or agreement.\u00a0 Contracts or service agreements should set forth in detail the respective roles and responsibilities of both the C\/TPA and the client or vendor.\u00a0 An Addendum to the Service Agreement can outline the detailed specific responsibilities of the C\/TPA and the detailed specific responsibilities of the employer client.\u00a0 Be diligent in reviewing your TPA agreement, regarding non-compliant or negligent services; for DOT regulated drug and alcohol testing program the employer is ultimately responsible for compliance.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Bottom line is to ask a lot of questions, and get the details in writing.\u00a0 Employers need to protect themselves from non-compliance issues with regulatory authorities and also from exposure to liability.\u00a0 The wrong choice for a vendor for you drug testing services may or may not cause ongoing problems but it only takes one test to go bad for devastating consequences to occur.\u00a0 Always look to hire the professional specializing in your specific needs.\u00a0 Remember you don\u2019t hire a plumber to do your electrical work so why hire an urgent care clinic to do your drug testing. \u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p><em>Written by Joe Reilly<\/em><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p><em>Joe Reilly is a Past Chairman and current board member of the Drug &amp; Alcohol Testing Industry Association (DATIA).\u00a0 Joe has experience since 1993 with workplace drug testing and is considered a national expert on this subject matter.<\/em><\/p>\r\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Typically the company drug testing program is managed by what is called a Program Manager or Designed Employer Representative (DER).\u00a0 Many employer use the services of a Consortia\/Third Party Administrator (C\/TPA) to help with the management of the drug testing program.\u00a0 Expert assistance from a professional C\/TPA is available. Reprinted from September Issue of Occupational [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":12,"featured_media":52174,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_seopress_robots_primary_cat":"none","_relevanssi_hide_post":"","_relevanssi_hide_content":"","_relevanssi_pin_for_all":"","_relevanssi_pin_keywords":"","_relevanssi_unpin_keywords":"","_relevanssi_related_keywords":"","_relevanssi_related_include_ids":"","_relevanssi_related_exclude_ids":"","_relevanssi_related_no_append":"","_relevanssi_related_not_related":"","_relevanssi_related_posts":"","_relevanssi_noindex_reason":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nationaldrugscreening.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/50998"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nationaldrugscreening.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nationaldrugscreening.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nationaldrugscreening.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/12"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nationaldrugscreening.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=50998"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.nationaldrugscreening.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/50998\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":118362,"href":"https:\/\/www.nationaldrugscreening.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/50998\/revisions\/118362"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nationaldrugscreening.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/52174"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nationaldrugscreening.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=50998"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nationaldrugscreening.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=50998"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nationaldrugscreening.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=50998"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}