CANDIDATE DRUG AND ALCOHOL TESTING
Policy
In order to ensure the safety of citizens, employees and property, Dakota County has adopted a drug and alcohol testing policy which applies to candidates being considered for safety-sensitive positions. (Ref. Policy 3282) A Drug and Alcohol test must be completed within 24 hours of all contingent verbal offers for safety sensitive positions.
Definitions
Safety-sensitive Position: A job, including any supervisory or management position, in which an impairment caused by drug or alcohol usage would threaten the health or safety of any person. However, a supervisory or management position supervising a safety-sensitive position, must also be safety-sensitive in and of itself, before the position meets the safety-sensitive definition.
Drug: Any controlled substance as defined in Minnesota Statute ยง152.01,subd. 4.
Negative Test Result: A test result that indicates drugs, alcohol or their metabolites are not in the sample tested.
Positive Test Result: A test result that indicates drugs, alcohol or their metabolites are in the sample tested.
Initial Screening Test: The initial test of a sample which provides data as to general classes of drugs, alcohol or their metabolites in the sample.
Confirmatory Test: A second test which provides specific data as to the drugs, alcohol or their metabolites detected in a sample with a positive initial screening test.
Confirmatory Retest: A third test of the original sample providing specific data as to the drugs, alcohol or their metabolites, conducted at a laboratory other than the one which conducted the initial screening test or confirmatory test.
Dilute Test Result: A test result that indicates creatinine concentration levels greater than 5 mg/dl and less than 20 mg/dl.
County Action in the Event of a Positive Test Result
In the event of a positive test result on a confirmatory test or a confirmatory retest, the County will withdraw its offer of employment and inform the job applicant of the reason for its action.
County Action in the Event of a Dilute Test Result
A dilute or negative dilute result is unsatisfactory on a pre-employment test. Applicants will be given one additional opportunity to provide a valid specimen within 24 hours. The result of the second test will determine whether the applicant is eligible for employment.
A positive dilute result will be treated as a positive test result.
(Updated 9/9/2010) Revised 12/31/11