SAP Evaluations

A SAP evaluation is a requirement for those in a safety sensitive position or have a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) that has a violation from failing a drug/alcohol test or a refusal to submit to a drug and alcohol test. In order to return to your employment or find employment, you need to successfully complete this process and the recommendations associated with the evaluation.

If you have a CDL, you need to go to the National clearinghouse website (https://clearinghouse.fmcsa.dot.gov/) and create an account on the site and it will ask you to select a Substance Abuse Professional (SAP) for the evaluation. You can select Kathleen Smith with MG Therapeutic Services @ 100 W. 6th Street / Suite 305 / Media PA, 19063.

If you are in a safety sensitive position, without a CDL, then you want to go to the SAP List (saplist.com) and select the “Find a SAP.” 

There are four steps to this process. 

Call Kathleen Smith directly (610-314-6311) to discuss your situation and to set up an appointment. You will need to bring another adult with you, as the SAP evaluation requires an interview from an additional adult that knows you. The assessment is about an hour. 

At the initial appointment, we will complete a full evaluation from childhood to adulthood and a substance abuse assessment. Once that is completed a recommendation will be made, based on the assessment. Provided you accept the recommendation, Kathleen Smith would then go onto the Clearinghouse Website and enter the date you started the process. 

Recommendations can range from online courses to counseling services. You would be responsible for the fees associated with the recommendations. It is your responsibility to successfully complete all recommendations. 

Once you have successfully completed the recommendations, you would contact Kathleen Smith so a follow-up appointment can be scheduled. At that time, we would discuss the outcome of the recommendations and how you are going to change your behaviors and/or decision making, so you do not find yourself in this same situation. Provided you are successful with this process, Kathleen Smith would go onto the Clearinghouse Website and enter the date you completed the SAP program.

If you are able to retain your employment, you will need to complete a “Return to Duty” drug and alcohol test. Most of the time, the company will have their employees pay for the tests. Kathleen Smith will need the name and contact information, including their email, for your Human Resource person as Kathleen Smith will need to reach out to that person with the outcome of the initial and follow-up appointments.

If you are in search of employment, you would need to complete a pre-employment test. If you are hired by that company, you will need to contact Kathleen Smith with the contact information, including their email, as she will need to reach out to that person, confirming you completed the SAP process. Companies usually check for violations on the drivers’ or safety sensitive person’s record. 

Kathleen Smith’s role with the SAP evaluation does not include an official statement saying you can return to work. In her role, she is acknowledging that you have been successful in completing the SAP process.