Austin Drug Testing

The Sedona Group of Austin has partnered with TSGI Drug Testing Services to offer businesses and individuals the following Austin drug testing and certification services: DOT Drug Testing, Non-DOT Drug Testing, Breath Alcohol Testing, and Hair Drug Testing. We also offer DOT training and certification classes.

DOT drug testing is often required depending on an employer’s DOT affiliation, or if the employer is overseen by one of several federal agencies. The standard DOT drug test panel screens for five drugs: alcohol, marijuana, PCP, methamphetamines, and opiates. The testing process is fairly simple. A sample is provided by the individual to be tested and collected by a federally approved technician, after which the sample is analyzed by a Medical Review Officer.

Non-DOT drug testing must be performed separately from DOT drug testing. The sample collection and testing procedures are all completed separately. DOT drug testing must be done first in the event that both tests are required. Non-DOT drug testing offers more flexibility to employers than the DOT test panel because it can be expanded. In addition to the five drugs tested for in DOT test panels, Non-DOT tests can also screen for Ecstasy, hallucinogens, barbiturates, tranquilizers, and other substances, up to a panel of ten.

Breath alcohol testing is mandatory for some occupations overseen by the Department of Transportation. Other industries may have their own requirements for testing, whether mandatory or random. Some may also require pre-employment alcohol screening. To administer a breath alcohol test, the individual being tested must blow into a breath alcohol device. The results are provided as a number which indicates the level of alcohol in the blood at the time the test is taken. Unlike drug tests using other sample material, alcohol testing does not indicate past use, instead showing only what is currently in the blood stream.

Hair drug testing is done by analyzing a hair sample taken from the individual being tested. The sample is generally taken from the head, and must be a hair 1.5 inches long taken from the root. In contrast to other testing methods, hair drug testing shows past use up to approximately 90 days prior to the test. If the individual being tested does not currently have any hair on his or her head, hair follicles from other places on the body can be used. A standard hair follicle drug test usually screens for cocaine, marijuana, opiates, methamphetamine, Ecstasy, Eve, and PCP.

In addition to drug testing services, The Sedona Group of Austin, in collaboration with TSGI Drug Testing Services, is now offering DOT training and certification classes. These courses include qualification training for a number of certifications, including training for specimen collectors, training for breath alcohol test administrators, training for screening test technicians, and others. Other education options include proficiency demonstrations, error correction training, and supervisor certifications.

These drug testing methods can be used in any industry, including for transportation, construction, hospitals, ERs and other medical facilities, CPS, government agencies, public and private schools, even for private employers and parents.