Any jobs that don't require drug testing?

[atgat1323]

I'm doing a project regarding impaired healthcare professionals, and I am wondering if anybody knows of any sectors of pharmacy that do not generally require drug testing of employees? Also, are there any states that specifically prohibit random drug testing of employees?

Please, no moral opinions, just looking to gather some info. Thanks!! Please PM if you'd prefer.

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[mustang sally]

My job does not require drug testing. I work in a rural hospital, so I think drug testing policies must be really dependent on the employer. You would think a drug test would be required for someone who is going to handle narcotics on a daily basis.

 

[type b pharmD]

I'm doing a project regarding impaired healthcare professionals, and I am wondering if anybody knows of any sectors of pharmacy that do not generally require drug testing of employees? Also, are there any states that specifically prohibit random drug testing of employees?

Please, no moral opinions, just looking to gather some info. Thanks!! Please PM if you'd prefer.

Vermont and rhode island prohibit random drug testing.

Very few corporations are going to hire a professional without a drug test. I've worked about 10 jobs since I was 14 and the only ones without drug testing were fast food and pizza delivery.

A pharmacist with an impaired history would be relatively legally protected from discrimination for office type jobs such as pharma, managed care, research, academia , etc, as the drug offense is not directly relatable to the work environment.. unlike say, if you stole narcotics and want to work with narcotics, you could be discriminated against (on the hiring level, not taking into account board stipulations which may be more stringent) .

Most pharmacies I have worked for test on a de facto "for cause" basis but reserve the right to random test .. which is questionably legal due to strict definitions of "cause" and "random".

Backstory: I am a big supporter of personal freedoms and privacy rights. . Not a drug abuser but I think people should have the right to do what they want in their private lives..such as occasional joint or what have you. obviously I do not condone impaired practice or abuse of rx drugs .. but I don't think random drug testing should be legal either.

Hth fwiw.

 

[rph3664]

An independent retail pharmacy probably wouldn't unless they had some reason to suspect you. Might depend on the store, though. You never know who got burned in the past. 🙁

 

[BeLikeBueller]

I'm doing a project regarding impaired healthcare professionals, and I am wondering if anybody knows of any sectors of pharmacy that do not generally require drug testing of employees? Also, are there any states that specifically prohibit random drug testing of employees?

Please, no moral opinions, just looking to gather some info. Thanks!! Please PM if you'd prefer.

Just out of curiosity, could you specify what you mean by "impaired." Are you saying that they would not pass a drug test because of treatment for a legitimate medical condition?

If so, I'm pretty sure that there are always exceptions made in those circumstances, as long as there is a legitimate prescription for whatever part of the drug test was failed.

 

[Pharmavixen]

How many countries besides the US do random drug testing at all? In Canada, it is not done with the exception of a few specialized workplaces such as subway drivers in Toronto.

 

[297point1]

Nobody has ever asked me to pee in a cup.

 

[atgat1323]

Vermont and rhode island prohibit random drug testing.

Hth fwiw.

Thanks for the info. I've looked into vermont and rhode island laws, and it does appear to state that random drug testing is prohibited, but the laws mention that exclusions apply for 'safety-sensitive' positions. Would healthcare workers, specifically pharmacists, be considered 'safety-sensitive' in these states and subject to random screenings?

Can anybody that works for one of the chains in these states comment on whether random screening is conducted?

 

[spacecowgirl]

I was drug tested when floated at WAGS during residency. Was not tested for my residency, current hospital job or current small regional chain float job. did not have to test to be a consultant pharmacist either. I was tested as a hospital intern. So no discernable pattern from what I can tell.

 

[Ackj]

I've been tested upon hire as an intern for my chain, upon hire/promotion as a pharmacist, and one "random" that happened when our narc inventory was screwed up. Also had a few rotations that tested.

For your research, anything that doesn't involve dispensing is probably less likely to drug test. Pharma, research, am care, managed care, academia, etc.

 

[atgat1323]

Thanks for everybody's input so far. Any more comments?

 

[Sparda29]

I wonder how would they handle it if they randomly test you because Percocet has been going missing in the hospital and you end up testing negative for opioids but positive for THC.

 

[BidingMyTime]

I wonder how would they handle it if they randomly test you because Percocet has been going missing in the hospital and you end up testing negative for opioids but positive for THC.

I have seen that happen at a place where everybody was randomly tested, an employee who tested negative for the suspected missing drug, but positive for THC, was required to go through the same treatment/policy that any employee who tested positive for any drug would be required to go through. I assume most places would be the same.

Other than my very first early jobs before drug testing was readily available, every job I've had (whether hospital or retail) required drug testing, both at hire and randomly (although some places regularly tested randomly, while other places only "randomly" tested when they suspected a problem.)

 

[pharmatrope1234]

What's the deal with random testing in california? I have read that the state prohibits random, suspicion-less screening. Anybody work in CA big retail chains that can comment?

 

[tim46]

healthcare professionals work under extreme stress and are always "on duty", they require massive effort and focus.

They are always going, and having drug tests is very outdated and immature.
It should be time that most people stop regarding "drugs" as "drugs", that are "drugs" and are only for recreational use.

Drugs, there are many types of drugs and they can help stop stress making it easier for workers to cope, if they are working on something that requires massive extreme focus, etc.