Missed the deadline on Preemployment Drug Screen

Nurses Job Hunt

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Specializes in Telemetry, OB, NICU.

Hello,

I made a long research about this but couldn't find anything that would answer my question.

Anyway. I accepted a new job offer by the end of last month. Everything was discussed of course. My start date, pay rate and everything are set. The issue is that, of course the offer was contingent upon passing a drug test in the hospital's designated testing centers. The offer letter I read didn't say specifics, nor the human resources representative. E-mail had another page attached about the addresses/directions of these drug testing centers. I knew I had to get this test before orientation and I still had longer than a month to take it. Okay.

I checked this directions sheet about 2 weeks later when I decided to take the drug test. On top of the page it states that new employees have to get tested within 72 hours of job offer! Well, I missed this deadline. I got the test done anyway. Nobody called me to say anything. I wonder if this happened to anybody else, and if they would possibly rescind the job offer.

I will go to orientation as long as I don't get a call to rescind the job offer and see.

Ps. It is a great coincidence that I had an appointment to get drug tested the same day I got the job offer FOR my school requirements. So, I have a negative drug test result within 72 hours of the job offer; it is just not by the new facility's designated area but my school's designated center. If anything was to happen, I would show that and see if that would help, of course.

I look forward to seeing opinions / experiences on this.

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I would say nothing if they dont mention it.

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Specializes in Critical Care.

The purpose of the time limit is so you don't just wait for things to clear from your system before taking the test. They may be skeptical since you waited a couple of weeks, if they have a problem then see if they'll accept the other testing center's results (you'll have to give permission for the other testing center to release results to your employer). You may have a problem though in that your employer will likely have to pay the other testing center more than they pay their contracted testing center, and since they can't charge you the difference they be unwilling to do that. In the end though, don't worry unless they say something.

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Specializes in MDS/ UR.

I would check if you are still on their lists. This is not a minor glitch in the process. You didn't meet a key criteria time frame.

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Specializes in Telemetry, OB, NICU.

I think they would already call and let me know if I wasn't on their list anymore. Notifying of a rescinded job offer before I make it to orientation is their responsibility. That is if the offer is rescinded.

I dont think disclosure of a drug test result in the other place would be costly. I have the results in hand. Plus, I got a card that has a Pin code where they can use and see all my test results, backround check, etc. I hope they believe in certifiedprofile.com like my school does. Lol.

Thanks for the replies! Keep them coming.

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Specializes in MDS/ UR.

Best of luck, but I have an awful feeling you may show up for no seat waiting for you.

I am trying to not make this all sound nasty, however you did not comply with a major component (clearly identified as a deal breaker by your own original post) for employment wth them.

Frankly, why should they call you for a missed/late drug test when you failed to follow their instructions?

I'd still advse you to find out straight out instead of just winging it on a prayer that they will let it slide for you.

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Specializes in Pedi.
I think they would already call and let me know if I wasn't on their list anymore. Notifying of a rescinded job offer before I make it to orientation is their responsibility. That is if the offer is rescinded.

I dont think disclosure of a drug test result in the other place would be costly. I have the results in hand. Plus, I got a card that has a Pin code where they can use and see all my test results, backround check, etc. I hope they believe in certifiedprofile.com like my school does. Lol.

Thanks for the replies! Keep them coming.

Well, not really. If the offer was contingent upon your passing a drug test within 72 hrs of the job offer and that was clearly spelled out in the offer letter, they don't need to call you to rescind the offer. The offer was contingent on an action that you needed to take that you didn't. If they notice it and rescind the offer, you don't really have much of an argument that they didn't call you to tell you it was rescinded. If a new grad gets a job offer that's contingent upon him/her passing the NCLEX and they don't pass NCLEX by the start date of orientation, the hospital doesn't need to call them to tell them they don't have a job, do they?

I wouldn't bring it up if they don't but I also wouldn't be surprised if you show up to orientation and your name isn't on the list.

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Specializes in Psych ICU, addictions.

In most facilities, if you fail to complete a drug test in the designated time period, they treat the results as a positive test and act accordingly.

I don't know what will happen to you, but as it was your fault that you didn't test in time and not theirs, the odds are not in your favor. And it's no big secret to them that you didn't meet the deadline, so I doubt it'll fly under the radar. But all you can do is see what happens.

Regardless of what happens, consider this a valuable lesson learned for the future.

Best of luck.

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Specializes in Telemetry, OB, NICU.
Well, not really. If the offer was contingent upon your passing a drug test within 72 hrs of the job offer and that was clearly spelled out in the offer letter, they don't need to call you to rescind the offer. The offer was contingent on an action that you needed to take that you didn't. If they notice it and rescind the offer, you don't really have much of an argument that they didn't call you to tell you it was rescinded. If a new grad gets a job offer that's contingent upon him/her passing the NCLEX and they don't pass NCLEX by the start date of orientation, the hospital doesn't need to call them to tell them they don't have a job, do they?

I wouldn't bring it up if they don't but I also wouldn't be surprised if you show up to orientation and your name isn't on the list.

Well, that's the thing! The letter only stated that it is contingent upon passing a drug test. It didn't say the time period. Even the e-mail from the HR representative only stated the required drug test, but no time frame. The document called "Drug screen locations" was attached that said the time frame. It sure was easy to miss for me as I didn't check that paper right away. I only thoroughly read the offer letter to make sure things seemed right. How many people would read that locations paper until they decided to take the test? Seriously. If it is THAT important, wouldn't it be on the offer letter or emphasized somewhere that is NOT easy to miss? Anyway, a friend was hired at the same hospital a couple days after me, and she says HR representative told her on the phone to get it done soon, like next week, and they wanted the results before orientation. No 72 hour period was mentioned. She was called on a Wednesday. So, next week would be more than 72 hrs. Just do it before orientation was said to her. Maybe, it is not that of a big deal to this facility. lol.

So, anyway, I will just see how it goes. If I show up on the orientation and no seat for me, it will be fine. :D I will see.

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Specializes in FNP, ONP.

I don't disagree with the others, but from my days working with larger hospital systems I can tell you the bigger problem for us would have been not the missed deadline, but that you didn't do it where they told you to. That would have eliminated you on it's own, even within the deadline. Two strikes, missing the deadline and doing it at the wrong place is going to make you look like someone who is either just plain non-complaint, vs. irresponsible or a total space cadet. Your choice is pray they don't notice (they will) or beg for forgiveness. No advice, but good luck.

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Specializes in Telemetry, OB, NICU.
I don't disagree with the others, but from my days working with larger hospital systems I can tell you the bigger problem for us would have been not the missed deadline, but that you didn't do it where they told you to. That would have eliminated you on it's own, even within the deadline. Two strikes, missing the deadline and doing it at the wrong place is going to make you look like someone who is either just plain non-complaint, vs. irresponsible or a total space cadet. Your choice is pray they don't notice (they will) or beg for forgiveness. No advice, but good luck.

The other test was for my school. It was a "designated" area, meaning I HAD to get it in that particular center. Or I wouldn't make it in school; they are very strict about it. It is only a coincidence, as I said. Even if I hadn't missed the deadline for job, I would have to give 2 urine samples for different places in different places. The problem here is only missing the deadline for job. I guess you didn't understand the first post very well. Thank you anyway.

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Specializes in Telemetry, OB, NICU.

So, most people who replied says don't bring it up unless they ask. That's what I am doing for now. But I still have the urge to call and clarify everything. Or wait and find out in orientation day; good or bad. shew, tough situation.

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