FirstLab

Nurses Recovery

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Does anyone know what drug testing company FirstLab uses? I'm about to start my probation through the Arkansas BON. Thanks

I believe FirstLab uses Quest labs. Quest processes the specimens and around here most of the collection sites are Quest but there are a few other places on the list that will collect and send to Quest-mostly urgent care/ occupational health centers with a few independant or small chain lab connection centers also (important because Quest does not do observed collection, at least in these parts so you have to go elsewhere. )

most of the non-quest places do charge an extra fee for the collection (then FirstLab also bills for the processing separately) but i was able to find one non- Quest site that did do it for free in my area- recently that site had started charging a relatively small fee for observed tests but still worth calling around and comparing.

I never had any huge problems with FirstLab-just had to check the collection site info/hours as the FirstLab list was sometimes out of date. I did have some issues with Quest sites, mostly long waits/ inexperienced staff. Do check with your site the first few times as many stop performing drug testing an hour or more before closing. It is worth making an appointment to reduce wait time- they have a website and app and many appts available even a couple hours ahead of time. Good luck as you start your program. Don't focus on the length of it-in the beginning it feels like forever but, this too shall pass!

Thank you for your reply! I have a question about the observed testing. Is that something I have to make sure the lab does beforehand? I just assumed any of the places FirstLab had on the list of test sites would do whatever FirstLab requires without me having to make sure of myself. Does FirstLab always use Quest for their specimen testing? For some reason I had thought they used Labcorp. Anyway, thank you so much for your help! Much appreciated!

They use Labcorp in Texas

Specializes in Emergency.
Thank you for your reply! I have a question about the observed testing. Is that something I have to make sure the lab does beforehand? I just assumed any of the places FirstLab had on the list of test sites would do whatever FirstLab requires without me having to make sure of myself.

I don't know the specifics of any of the labs but I have learned some general rules from reading the posts here. Rule number 1 is you have to check/ask/preapprove anything having to do with your testing!

Best of luck going forward, draw strength from some incredible nurses that post here. Your health and future are worth whatever crap you have to go through now!

Hugs~

Here in California, my COC forms state Drugscan at the top so I assume they're the company doing the actual testing. Most of the sites in my area are occupational/urgent care clinics or private drug testing companies and the collection fees range anywhere from 30-45 dollars (a killer but everyone says the frequency goes down after the first year)

My COC forms come printed with the info for my first lab rep as well as stating the sample must be observed so I've never had to explain this to anyone but you'll want to call beforehand to make sure there's someone of the same sex to observe you as, at least in my state, they won't even test you if the observer isn't the same gender.

My COC forms also have selections for all the rest options though, as far as I know, I'll only get tested for option 1 as that was the only option I received info for in my contract. I think it depends on what your offense was. For me, I got 3 years probation for a first offense DUI (alcohol), no history of diverting meds or narc restrictions so I assume I'm being tested for the standard 5 panel and ETG though you won't get any luck finding out from anyone. I once asked the first lab rep if it was ok for me to take prilosec as I've had terrible GERD since college and she basically said legally she couldn't give me any info on what was ok to take, so I've just been using TUMS since then. Good luck, I'm 3 months in to a 3 year contract, it's a pain but you'll get through it.

Thank you so much for your reply! I found out that the lab that they'll use for me is called CRL, which I've not ever heard of... Anyway, I've been using otc rogaine bc my hair has gotten really thin for some reason. It's actually been working and I've been so excited and happy about it. Now I'm afraid the little bit of alcohol in the foam will cause a false positive. I called to talk to the board lady today and she's like all haughty about it and saying "well, you entered into the two year agreement, so I guess it's up to you if you wanna take that chance." So frustrating!

Specializes in ER, ICU/CCU, Open Heart OR Recovery, Etc.

The clinic where I get my testing done plainly states in writing that they can only do Observed tests for female clients.

As far as doing the Rogaine, is there any way you can get your personal physician to write a script for you? You can obviously continue to buy it OTC but then you're covered. Sometimes I think these monitoring programs go out of their way to be a pain in the behind with these kind of things. I made a lot of changes in my personal care product choices with mine, but I didn't stop using hairspray or coloring my hair. So far I've not had an issue with tests.

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