How To Become DOT Specimen Collector?

There are numerous career possibilities within the field of DOT drug testing. Transportation companies are under a significant burden to ensure their employees are drug and alcohol-free, and the US government's regulations mean constant work in this area. That kind of demand means you can have your pick of employers or even start your own business. The first step is to become qualified. How do you become DOT certified to become a drug testing sample collector?

What's a Sample Collector?

Given the job title, a sample collector does what you imagine. It is this individual's responsibility to collect urine samples for testing at the laboratory. However, there's more to it than just handing over a plastic cup to DOT company employees – a good deal more.

Sample collectors must be familiar with several things, including the following:

Employees: You'll be responsible for dealing with the actual employees providing the sample. You need to be able to provide them with the information necessary to complete the process and obtain their identification.

Inspection: People will try many things to pass a drug test. You are the last line of defense here. You'll have to ask employees contributing samples to empty their pockets, check the contents for anything that might interfere with the sample, ask them to leave briefcases and purses outside, and possibly even supervise the sampling process.

Records: Sample collection requires a good bit of record-keeping and organization. Samples must be labeled per industry standards and documented at several steps along the way to the lab.

Proper Training

Training and certification are the first steps in becoming DOT-qualified to become a drug testing sample collector. This can be tricky – ensure the training provider you choose specializes in training DOT sample collectors. Non-DOT drug testing is very different, and the training process is not the same.

With the right education provider, you'll have everything you need to become DOT certified and a drug testing sample collector.