Do employers conduct their own drug testing or is it out sourced?

november17, ASN, RN · Jul 6, 2008

When I got hired they did the test right there in the lab at the building where I was doing my physical. I peed in a cup, and they literally stuck my sample in the machine right in front of me as soon as I handed it to them. I thought it was kind of cool, I had never seen a urinalysis machine before. Anyways, they had the results in a very short period of time (within 15 minutes). Then again, I work for a pretty large healthcare "group"/hospital so they have all sorts of resources available. I'd assume if you worked for a nursing home they'd probably outsource it. It depends on where you work, I guess. My advice is to don't do drugs. They don't test for SSRI's/antidepressants, if that is what you are worried about (trust me, I see the results of toxicology tests often enough and I know what is being tested for when they do samples).

Also, if fellow employees/supervisors access your medical records and discriminate against you somehow based on them, you're perfectly within your rights to sue. That would be a HUGE mistake for a boss/coworker to make (million dollar lawsuits/dings from the state).

perfecthairforever · Jul 7, 2008

thanks november I think all places should do that. After a negative they should flush it in front of you and if positive they should keep it obviously.

I wonder how prevelant hair follicle testing has and will become? Has anyone experienced an accident on the job and had to be tested for illegal drugs or an infectious disease? If so what was that experience like?

puggy232 · Jul 7, 2008

I tested with the occupational health nurse right after filling out a form about what meds I was taking and health conditions I had-if you disclose and have scripts you shouldn't have a problem.

suzanne4, RN · Jul 7, 2008

A urine drug test is only for a handful of substances, it does not check to see every medication that one is testing for.

And any reference lab that is doing testing no longer asks for the meds that a person is taking. If and only if, you come up positive for something that is checked for, that is when you would be required to submit proof of having a legal prescription for it.

What you discuss with your employer about your meds or medical history is your business; but it has nothing to do with a urine drug screen. These tests are looking for marijuana, cocaine, benzos, etc.

RXtech · Jul 7, 2008

Our hospital does the basic pre-employment screens themselves, in the hospital lab. Mine came up positive for amphetamines because I was taking a lot of cold medicine that week, so they sent me to a big lab that did a more specialized test.

They really just test for illicit drugs. Those tests are expensive, so they aren't going to test just to see what kind of antidepressants (or whatever) you're taking.

perfecthairforever · Jul 11, 2008

I'm happy to here these positive responses, my wife is also entering the medical field by way of pharmacy and I wondered If her xanex script would cause a problem, guess not.

november17, ASN, RN · Jul 17, 2008

I'm happy to here these positive responses, my wife is also entering the medical field by way of pharmacy and I wondered If her xanex script would cause a problem, guess not.

Well xanax is a benzo (not an antidepressant, quite the opposite - anti-anxiety) so it would show up, but if she has a legitimate signed prescription/documentation she can provide as proof then it would not be a problem with the occupational health people.