Drug Free Workplace Management:

Personalized Customer Service

Our company is known for personalized customer service since we treat our customers as we want to be treated with satisfaction guaranteed. We personally greet you on the telephone and use no impersonal automated telephone attendant. NTS provides all of the knowledge and experience to provide regulatory compliance and give you confidence in your program. Our personalized attention to service offers greater flexibility to set up the program to SAVE YOU TIME! We are also well suited to partner with companies having multiple locations spread throughout the country. Multiple location management requires a more personalized service in order to maintain as much consistency and uniformity as possible.

Collection Site Management

NTS manages collection sites throughout the country. We will customize and match the location of your facility to a nearby collection site. We can either set up accounts with your existing collection sites or locate a closer collection site. Give us an opportunity to see how we can SAVE YOUR EMPLOYEES TIME! We make all arrangements to locate convenient sites for each facility location, instruct collection site staff on proper procedures, provide collection supplies and communicate via fax and personal phone calls. We take responsibility for handling any and all issues regarding the collection of samples. If Post Accident Collections are necessary, NTS has an after-hours person on call to locate a site or provide assistance in performing all after hours collections. The same office number can be used 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to connect to the on-call staff.

Expert Collection of Samples

Specimen collections will be performed by qualified individuals who perform collections in accordance with 49 CFR Part 40, as amended. In order to insure compliance with new collector training requirements, Dr. Taylor has written a collection site training program and used it successfully in collection site training. In addition, the training consists of a collection site training manual which can be downloaded (“DOT Collection Manual”) at our resource center. We will be happy to answer any questionn that collections sites have. In the event a collector error occurs, which results in a fatal flaw, we will insure that error correction training occurs within 30 days of the date we are notified of the error (in accordance with CFR 49 Part 40 Subpart C Paragraph 40.35). Collections are available at fixed sites or on-site. Let us know how we can help you.

SAMHSA Certified Laboratory Testing

We will locate and setup the highest quality laboratory with rapid turnaround time that meets your needs. Dr. Taylor is a SAMHSA laboratory inspector and has previously run a SAMHSA certified Laboratory, so he is well aware of the quality issues regarding a laboratory. The "gold" standard is a lab which is federally certified by SAMHSA which is the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (formerly NIDA, National Institute on Drug Abuse). For federal testing and many state drug testing programs, only a SAMHSA laboratory is permitted. Since the MRO can have no financial interest in a laboratory according to 49 CFR Part 40, we do not own a laboratory or have any financial interest but subcontract with them as required by federal regulations.

AAMRO Certified Medical Review Officers

Greg Elam, M.D. is certified by the American Association of Medical Review Officers. He has clinical experience in dealing with controlled substance disorders and has supervised the review of over two million drug tests. He brings a very professional and personable approach to the review of drug tests. The first interaction with someone knowledgeable about substance abuse disorders is likely with the MRO. Therefore, the MRO interview sets the tone for future interactions, giving the MRO the opportunity to provide a positive approach to a shame based condition. Dr. Elam epitomizes the professional but compassionate physician in dealing with drug test issues.

Breath Alcohol Testing (BAT)

NTS provides both fixed site and on-site breath alcohol testing throughout the country. NTS ensures performance of breath alcohol tests by qualified providers who have received Breath Alcohol Technician (BAT) or Screening Test Technician (STT) training and who conduct breath alcohol tests in compliance with 49 CFR Part 40, as amended and use an Evidential Breath Testing (EBT) device or an Alcohol Screening Device (ASD) approved by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and appearing on the Conforming Products List (CPL) published by NHTSA/USDOT. All of our customer service representatives are qualified and trained Breath Alcohol Technicians (BATs), and we have 3 qualified and trained instructors in our corporate offices to answer your questions as well. In addition NTS is the regional representative for CMI, Inc., who is the manufacturer of the Intoxilyzer breath alcohol testing devices. We can help you with the purchase of a breath alcohol device if needed. We also provide qualification training from our corporate office in Nashville, TN.

Rapid (Instant) Testing

We offer various instant testing options for rapid detection of certain drugs. Please contact us for pricing and more information on these tests. Rapid testing can be useful if time is of the essence - you need a negative result back in hours instead of the next day from a lab based test. All presumptive rapid test positives must be confirmed in a certifed laboratory though. Rapid testing is limited in the drugs that can be detected, and these tests are not approved for DOT or many state drug free workplace programs. Give us a call to guide you on the issues with rapid testing.

Hair and Nail Testing

Hair and Nail Testing are other viable alternatives to urine testing. Both of these options have a much longer window of detection than urine drug screens. We refer to these methods as "Life Style Tests" since they can detect repetitive drug use for up to 3 months.

Random Selection Program

NTS's random selection program utilizes a statistically valid computer generated random selection process which randomly selects from a designated employee pool. NTS, as an independent third party administrator of your random selection process, assures you and your employees that the selection procedures are fair and equitable. This process meets all regulatory requirements. Selections will be automatically generated at required time increments. The employees selected are cross-referenced with our testing activity database. We may notify you of the need for additional selections in order to maintain compliance in situations where an employee was selected but not tested. This safeguard may be necessary to determine why the test was not performed. Depending on the circumstances, future selection rates may require modification to maintain certain required testing rates.

Electronic Result Reporting

We offer a number of ways to send you results. Since each program is customized to your needs, we can send results to multiple locations if requested (e.g. regional office and corporate office). All positives are called immediately by our MRO to your designated representative. We have a computer download in effect to immediately access results from the laboratory as soon as they are available, which allows us to provide immediate turn around as soon as results are available from the laboratory.

Post Accident Collection Management

Under DOT rules in a post accident situation, a breath alcohol test should be performed within 2 hours (up to 8 hours maximum), and a drug test performed within 32 hours of the accident. If necessary you can call our office (24 hours a day 7 days a week) to access the after-hours Post Accident Service. We will identify and set up any urine specimen collection and/or breath alcohol test sites 24/7 for post accident and reasonable suspicion testing. We will contract with hospitals or other facilities that are open 24 hours a day 7 days a week to provide a drug test collection or breath alcohol test at any time of the day or night in a post-accident or reasonable suspicion situation. In addition, we will also contract with companies that provide nationwide third-party collections throughout the nation at any time of the day or night.

Customized Billing Itemized by Location

Our invoices are easy to verify – one charge for collection, lab, and MRO. The invoices are straightforward, clear and easy to review! No hidden charges! Many clients prefer to have invoices sorted by location so that each of your locations can be sent a separate invoice, or we can send a cumulative invoice to the corporate office with charges broken down by location. An invoice detailed report is always included and type of service broken down by location. If you have unique ways in which you would like to have your invoice sorted, let us know.

EAP/SAP Consultation

NTS can help you locate a qualified Substance Abuse Professional (SAP) as defined under 49 CFR Part 40. NTS receives and reviews the information from the Substance Abuse Professional (SAP) and then recommends Return to Duty testing based on the review of the records. If needed NTS can also provide Return to Work Program Management.

Training:

Employee/Supervisor Training

Call us or email us to see what types of training you are required to have. Many employers are required to provide training for Employees and Supervisors. Covered employees must receive at least 60 minutes on the effects and consequences of prohibited drug use on personal health, safety, and the work environment and on the signs and symptoms that may indicate prohibited drug use (FTA, 49 CFR 655.14). The Supervisor training consists of 1 hour of training on alcohol misuse and an additional hour of training on controlled substance use (FMCSA, 49 CFR Part 382 and FTA, Part 655). The training is to be used to determine whether reasonable suspicion exists to require a driver to undergo testing. The training includes physical behavioral speech and performance indicators of probable alcohol and controlled substance misuse.

Some state drug free workplace programs (e.g. Tennessee Drug Free Workplace T.C.A. Section 50-9-101) also require an annual training analogous to that listed above.

NTS provides on-site training and other educational materials to meet these requirements. To find out more about this training contact us by email or by phone 615-353-1888.

Breath Alcohol Technician (BAT) and Drug Test Collector Training

Breath Alcohol Technicians (BATs) and Drug Screen Collector Breath Alcohol Technician (BAT) Qualification Training:

NTS is a designated trainer for all CMI Breath Alcohol Testing Devices including the Intoxilyzer 200/200D, 240, 400, and 400PA. Our courses are sanctioned by CMI and approved by the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration. All devices are on the Conforming Products List to meet DOT qualifications. BATs must be recertified every 5 years as required under 49CFR Part 40.

Your trainer is Howard Taylor, PhD. He is a board certified toxicologist with 27 years of experience and has been a certified breath alcohol trainer since 1995. Dr. Taylor’s trainings receive high praise from students for the quality of the courses. NTS offers both Basic BAT Training and BAT Instructor Training. To find out more or reserve your spot in the next training, contact Dr. Taylor at 615-353-1888 or by email.

Drug Screen Collector Training:

The most recent rules require all collectors of drug screens to undergo qualification training. NTS offers a training course designed to meet those requirements to include both the instructional and “hands on” proficiency requirements set out by DOT.

Your trainer is Howard Taylor, PhD. He is a board certified toxicologist with 27 years of experience and a SAMHSA Laboratory Inspector. His trainings receive high praise from students for the quality of the courses. To find out more or reserve your spot in the next training, contact Dr. Taylor at 615-353-1888 or by email.

Return to Work Program Management:

Return to Work Program Management

NTS receives and reviews the information from the Substance Abuse Professional (SAP). Dr. Elam will participate in a Return to Work Conference via telephone. NTS provides monitoring of aftercare requirements such as AA/NA meeting attendance and aftercare meeting attendance. NTS then assigns a follow up alcohol and/or drug test schedule as per the recommendation from the SAP. Additionally, NTS will provide a toll free number for daily call in by the employee and monitor compliance daily with reports showing date/time of call. The call in system will alert the individual if they have or have not been selected for testing that day. We will obtain copies of all return to duty and follow up tests to ensure compliance and run reports to identify any “No Shows”, i.e. selected but doesn’t show up for the test.

NTS maintains a record of compliance with the aftercare recommendations and investigate any gaps in compliance on a timely basis. Should the reason for non-compliance be unacceptable, Dr. Elam will send the company a Letter of Non-Compliance.

Regulatory Compliance:

Policy Review

How do you handle a Negative – Dilute Sample?

What‘s the latest with Adulterants?

Have you reviewed the latest DOT Regulations?

When was the last time your policy was revised?

Does your Employee/Supervisor Training meet the Regulatory Requirements?

With a SAMHSA Laboratory Inspector (Dr. Howard Taylor) and an in house AAMRO certified MRO (Dr. Greg Elam) in our office, we are constantly receiving updates to insure the most accurate and recent information for regulatory compliance. Let us take a look at your policy and see if any updates are necessary.

Audit Response Record Keeping

In the event an audit is performed, our clients have the confidence that we will assist with meeting all drug and alcohol test compliance issues.

NTS maintains computer copies and any fax/hardcopies received as part of doing business from laboratories, collection sites or employers or their agents. Reports of test result information are computer generated and faxed or emailed as described above. An MIS summary report of testing activity will be provided as required by DOT at no additional charge.

Regulatory Guidance/Compliance

In the event an audit is performed, our clients have the confidence that we will assist with meeting all drug and alcohol testing compliance issues.