Do Occupational Threapy Assistants Get Random Drug Tests

[Loveiskind]

I had an appointment with a career counselor yesterday since my BA in English Lit hasn't brought any opportunities. I wanted something more hands on and to help people and she suggested this field since I would only need 2-3 semesters worth of classes for it. I have read some postings here that some places do and don't do randoms depending on the job and place. I smoke marijuana occasionally and I don't mind a pre employment drug test nor do I mind random testing during the program. Just wondering about the chances that being an Occupational Therapy Assistant as an actual job being randomly drug tested since I always found that to be intrusive if it's without cause.

[blondy2061h, MSN, RN]

Most people on a nursing board aren't OTA's...

It varies by state and facility. This is one of those specific questions we can't answer for you. Any job can do random drug testing if they want, so your best bet is to not do illegal drugs.

[xoemmylouox, ASN, RN]

I don't know of ANY employer that doesn't threaten random drug screens. Does it happen often, not really for most. However, most employers will drug screen you on the spot if you are injured, and you never know when you could be injured (unless you're Miss Cleo?) so it's best to not risk it. I'm not sure how licensing works, but for nurses a positive drug screen can have serious consequences.

[Rose_Queen, BSN, MSN, RN]

If being able to smoke marijuana and maintain employment is important to you, perhaps health care is not the field you should work in.

Even in areas where it is legal, an employer may fire someone for having substances on board while working (alcohol is legal; working while drunk will get you fired for cause). Random drug screens can pop up whenever, depending on laws specific to the area of the job. If something were to happen to a patient, and you tested positive, there would be some pretty serious consequences.

[NICU Guy, BSN, RN]

It is kind of like driving your car without insurance, it is not an issue until you get pulled over or in an accident. Smoking weed is not an issue until something happens at work and your employer decides to give you a drug test. Then all that hard work in school goes down the drain when you test positive and your license gets suspended and have difficulty finding a job again.

Why don't you post your question in the Nurse Recovery forum. I am sure you will get some stories of people who thought smoking weed was no big deal until they were drug tested and now have to go through 5000 hoops just to get their license back.

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

Welcome!

Of course, this is a nursing forum, so you are unlikely to encounter any occupational therapists or occupational therapy assistants on this site.

However, it is common sense that acceptance of any healthcare-related position will mean you are subject to random drug screens, especially if you punch a time clock that does not belong to you. And since you are wanting to become an OTA, you will definitely be an hourly worker who punches a time clock.

Your best bet as a future OTA is to kick the marijuana habit, especially if you want to maintain the professional certification that will enable you to secure employment and pay your bills. Good luck to you.