FirstLab Selected For Statewide Drug And Alcohol Testing Services

North Wales, PA — FirstLab, the nation's leading expert in employment screening for safety-sensitive job positions, announces its selection by the State of South Carolina to deliver that state's drug and alcohol testing services. According to the contract, FirstLab will implement and oversee the testing program for state employees as required by the Federal Omnibus Transportation Employees Testing Act (OTETA) of 1991.

The OTETA mandates pre-employment, reasonable suspicion, post-accident, random, and follow-up drug and alcohol testing, and is applicable to approximately 4,500 of South Carolina's state employees. The Act covers all state agencies, and is designed to monitor those employees that work in safety sensitive transportation positions.

"We're keenly aware of how seriously South Carolina takes its responsibility for preserving the safety of its citizens, as well as for maintaining the quality and ability of its employees," said Mary Ellen Petti, chief development officer for FirstLab. "As South Carolina's preferred supplier of drug and alcohol testing services since 1999, we've had the opportunity to share in that commitment to excellence. This contract illustrates the state's intention to continue running thorough, professional, and fair testing programs."

Under the contract, FirstLab delivers the following services to South Carolina:

• Policy review and guidance
• Specimen collection
• Alcohol testing
• Controlled substances testing By a Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) certified laboratory
• Medical Review Officer (MRO)
• Secure reporting
• Random testing selection
• Employee and supervisor education and training
• Statistical recordkeeping

SOURCE: FirstLab