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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 6 of 6. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by CareBear04 on May 16, 2005, at 20:25:39
Sorry, I don't know if this is the right board, but since it concerns my meds, I figured it was best.
I know others have posted on drug tests, but I wasn't able to pull up the old posts. Please humor me in answering again if you know.
I'm starting a new position at a hospital next month, and someone asked me whether they do drug tests, which I hadn't thought about. About half my duties are patient care, and half are research. I could understand if they did require a test. Problem is, I will test positive for a lot of things-- amphetamines, benzos, and opiates are some. I have valid prescriptions for them all, but I don't want my direct supervisor knowing about my health and meds. Also, I will be moving a long way for this job, so I won't have my current prescribing doctor nearby to write out a note of explanation, should I need it.
Do you think it's probable that I'll be asked to submit to a drug test, and what is the best way to handle it?
Thanks.
Posted by woolav on May 16, 2005, at 20:46:40
In reply to drug testing, posted by CareBear04 on May 16, 2005, at 20:25:39
Hi, I just wanted to say i had the same fears when i got drug tested for a job last year. I was worried that they would get the results and either, say no. or ask why i was on meds and to me that was personal. When I was at the lab taking the test, i asked the lady there and she said if something should show up, then i would have to disclose my medical reasons for taking the drugs..But, i only was concerned about benzo's. Anyway, normal drug tests, dont check for benzo's, but usually they do for the other things you mentioned. Hopefully someone else will know more about this than me. But at least you know nothing will come up from the benzo's. I think its so unfair that we* have to feel persecuted for having mental illness'.
Good Luck
S
and PS, they prob will make you take a drug test, i had to take one to work in a call center for a wireless company!!! ????
Posted by CareBear04 on May 16, 2005, at 20:58:31
In reply to Re: drug testing, posted by woolav on May 16, 2005, at 20:46:40
thanks for answering woolav. well, it's good to know that benzos aren't a problem, though the others are. ridiculous that they would make you give a sample for the job you applied for! if it's that common, other people must have experiences, too. thanks!
Posted by Phillipa on May 16, 2005, at 22:04:55
In reply to Re: drug testing » woolav, posted by CareBear04 on May 16, 2005, at 20:58:31
Yes I always had to submit for one to work in the hospital. I was told that if I showed them the Rx bottles and didn't try and hide anything it was okay. They just tested for street drugs. But I guess amphetamines would be that class wouldn't they? or pain meds. I never had to worry about anything except benzos. Fondly, phillipa
Posted by Larry Hoover on May 16, 2005, at 22:29:40
In reply to drug testing, posted by CareBear04 on May 16, 2005, at 20:25:39
> Sorry, I don't know if this is the right board, but since it concerns my meds, I figured it was best.
>
> I know others have posted on drug tests, but I wasn't able to pull up the old posts. Please humor me in answering again if you know.
>
> I'm starting a new position at a hospital next month, and someone asked me whether they do drug tests, which I hadn't thought about. About half my duties are patient care, and half are research. I could understand if they did require a test. Problem is, I will test positive for a lot of things-- amphetamines, benzos, and opiates are some. I have valid prescriptions for them all, but I don't want my direct supervisor knowing about my health and meds. Also, I will be moving a long way for this job, so I won't have my current prescribing doctor nearby to write out a note of explanation, should I need it.
>
> Do you think it's probable that I'll be asked to submit to a drug test, and what is the best way to handle it?
>
> Thanks.I've had numerous drug/alcohol tests under DOT regulations governing truckers. I've also had numerous positives for opiates. In all cases, my positives were reviewed by a Medical Review Officer (employed by the lab), a medical doctor whose training and experience are to sort out valid reasons for positive findings. Only those cases where no valid reasons are found for positive findings are reported to the employer.
I have simply shown a prescription bottle as a verifier of my source of opiates, and my doctor was called on one occasion, but they said that was a mix-up. They should have accepted my evidence of a prescription. Some pharmacies give certified copies of prescriptions issued, if you have trouble getting information from your doctor. At most, they make a phone call, in my experience.
I can't say that's the only way it works, but I can say that my experience is consistent with this website description:
http://www.workcare.com/testing.htm#testing4Your confidentiality should not be breached, if you can provide valid reasons for a positive sample.
I suppose individual states might have different regs, but I fall under federal guidelines.
Lar
Posted by Racer on May 17, 2005, at 15:51:31
In reply to drug testing, posted by CareBear04 on May 16, 2005, at 20:25:39
> Also, I will be moving a long way for this job, so I won't have my current prescribing doctor nearby to write out a note of explanation, should I need it.
>I think Larry's covered about all of it, but I've got another suggestion about this part: before you move, ask your current doctor for a note for the drug testing company AND for your next doctor, so that you don't have to reinvent the wheel about getting these meds prescribed.
I know, your next doctor will probably have access to your medical records, but I've found it's a hell of a lot easier to have a brief note from one doctor to another, with meds and dosages, and just saying "This works, don't fix it..." Dunno why that's always worked better for me, but it has. (Maybe doctors don't read the medical records they get very thoroughly? Dunno...)
Hope that's helpful, and congrats on the new job! Hope it's a pip.
This is the end of the thread.
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