Many people play a part in any employee drug test. However, medical review officers are the most often asked about positions regarding description and entry criteria. The role of a medical review officer for drug testing is to guarantee the honesty and precision of the drug testing processes. They must be very knowledgeable, detail-oriented, and have a medical degree on top of the list of other personal abilities.
The Role of a Medical Review Officer in a Court of Law Case
Receiving and analyzing laboratory data produced by testing protocols is the responsibility of a Medical Review Officer (MRO), who is a registered physician. All doctors order and interpret lab tests to provide better patient care. Those who work as MROs have completed the necessary training and passed the certification exam. The Medical Review Officer can assess medical justifications regarding specific drug test findings. When it comes to matters related to work, such as a required drug test or a DUI, a forensic component is often present.
A medical review officer for drug testing is required to evaluate the results of random drug tests administered by private businesses, the Department of Defense, the Department of Transportation, SAMHSA, and some government agencies. Most people do it to provide a safe working environment.
Why a Medical Review Officer Is Necessary for a Drug Testing Program
Drug testing begins with a donor providing a sample, which is then sent to a laboratory for processing and analysis. The laboratory does more than just drug tests; they also check for contaminants and validity, which means they look for substances that may have been added to the sample and ensure they match up with typical human pee.
The next step is to have the laboratory findings reviewed by the MRO. The laboratory’s findings determine whether the MRO will issue a negative, positive, cancelled, or refuse to test result. Whether the test returns positive, the MRO will contact the donor to see whether there’s a legitimate medical cause.
Certified MRO have Extensive Knowledge of All Rules and Regulations
MRO services start when a lab transmits a positive drug test result to an MRO. It is the responsibility of the MRO to ascertain whether or not the substances detected in the patient’s system are medically essential or permissible for them to consume, for example, opiates for pain management.
Medical review officers for drug testing are well-versed in analyzing hair follicles, analyzing breath and urine, and providing explanations for alternative medicine since they are doctors who have studied laboratory testing extensively. They are well-versed in all federal rules about drug testing and are among the most competent individuals to interpret drug screening findings.
Conclusion
Medical review officers for drug testing reviews have a lot on their plates and need to be methodical. No matter how many federal agencies you work with, you must know their policies and procedures. To do so successfully, one must be well-versed in all aspects of drug testing, including federal rules and the specifics of substance addiction problems.