HCA Healthcare is one of the nation's leading providers of services for people through hospitals and outpatient care centers. HCA's healthcare services aim to provide patients with an accessible, compassionate healthcare experience.
HCA offers a variety of benefits that make it an excellent place for job seekers. It includes a competitive salary, benefits, and growth potential. The healthcare industry is affected by various policies designed to protect patients in the workplace.
The regulations differ from one state to another, so an employee must look into their state's laws to know the liabilities they may face. The HCA Healthcare Employee Policy and Procedure Manual state that all employees must adhere to the company policy and the federal, state, and local laws.
The drug testing policy of HCA supports the needs of patients by providing a safe and healthy work environment. The following article provides information about the drug testing policy of HCA.
Table Of Contents:
- Drug Testing Policy Of HCA
- Prohibited Behavior As Outlined In The HCA Drug Testing Policy
- When Does HCA Drug Test Its Employees?
- Consequences Employees Face In Case Of Violation Of The HCA Drug Testing Policy
Drug Testing Policy Of HCA
Drug testing is a widespread program utilized by employers to assess the health and performance of employees. These tests give the employer and the employee an accurate picture of their health status before they are allowed to engage in meaningful activities that may cause them or others harm.
The HCA drug testing policy has a detailed procedure for how these and other tests are performed and how reports will be handled. This policy outlines all responsibilities, requirements, and strategies that policy enforcement personnel must follow.
HCA Healthcare recognizes that alcohol abuse, substance abuse, and illegal drug use are inappropriate. To support employees, HCA and its subsidiaries have an obligation to provide a safe, healthy, and productive work environment for their employees. Thus, these companies must ensure that the employees meet the physical requirements for the job assigned.
HCA encourages employees to seek help for substance abuse problems. The HCA even offers its employees an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) to help employees by providing access to counseling, resources, and referral services. HCA's employee policy also requires that all tests are confidential.
The company may not release the information from these tests except as required under law or as the data is necessary for legal action.
Prohibited Behavior As Outlined In The HCA Drug Testing Policy
The drug testing policy of HCA does not allow for the following behavior to occur at any time:
- The use of illicit substances or drugs in violation of federal, state, or local laws
- Any conduct that is considered unsafe or unhealthy.
- Unauthorized use of company-issued equipment (attempting to engage in prohibited behavior using computers and other company-issued equipment).
- The sale, transfer, distribution, or use of illegal substances on company property or in traveling on HCA property.
- Reporting to work, or being at work, while under the influence of illicit substances or alcohol
- Employees tampering with urine specimens, including the use of adulterants or the substitution or spiking of a specimen, might result in a health and safety threat to others.
- Refusing to submit to a drug test (except in an emergency)
- Altering medical documentation for a drug test result
- Any behavior that harms patients or fellow employees is prohibited and may result in immediate termination (such as threatening other employees, fighting, etc.
When Does HCA Drug Test Its Employees?
HCA conducts drug testing as part of the Comprehensive Drug Testing Program. To ensure accuracy and fairness, all drug testing is conducted as per the guidelines established by the Medical Review Officers and, if applicable, following Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) guidelines.
The guidelines are evaluated regularly and updated as necessary. The comprehensive drug-testing program includes a confirmatory test, review by the MRO, and an appeal process for those employees who believe the drug test results are inappropriate.
Also, all the drug testing information is kept confidential. The HCA releases the results following federal and state law. But, employees must take part, at a minimum, in testing as follows:
- Random testing: The Company will conduct random drug tests throughout any year and time. Random testing is performed to assure the safety of the patients and protect those who work for HCA.
- Pre-employment Testing: All job applicants must have a drug test before starting their employment with HCA. Job applicants must agree to take pre-employment testing, but they can decide when they want to take it. Also, a refusal or a failed test will delay the interview and later withdrawal of the offer of employment.
- Reasonable-suspicion testing: This type of testing is performed when someone has reasonable suspicion that an employee is engaged in drug misuse, abuse, or illegal activity that could interfere with the work performance or the safety of themselves or others.
- Post-Accident Testing: If a worker is involved in a work-related accident, an impairment may be due to alcohol or drugs. Therefore, any questions regarding impairment would be directed toward a medical review officer. The medical review officer will assess whether the impairment is due to a drug or alcohol problem and determine if an employee needs further testing to confirm or exclude drug use as the cause of their impairment.
HCA can request an employee to take a drug test if they:
- Swears, threatens, or physically harms another person
- Has drug-related behavior or neglects the company's policies
- Has exhibited a pattern of substance abuse in the past
- If someone is known to commit acts indicating that they may be selling, distributing, or using drugs
- Reportedly does not take their prescribed medications as per medical advice, for treatment of a mental disorder, a disorder of emotional instability, and treatment of drug addiction or alcoholism.
Consequences Employees Face In Case Of Violation Of The HCA Drug Testing Policy
HCA has a zero-tolerance drug policy. If an employee has violated the company's drug testing policy, then the employee will be subject to disciplinary action, which may include termination.
However, HCA is also committed to ensuring that all options are available to those who need help. HCA will refer the employee for other support services and medical care if a drug test turns up an adverse result.
The company also has a decision-making process that allows an employee to appeal a negative drug test result. An employee wishing to appeal will be required to meet with the MRO before HCA's executive team considers the appeal.
The appeals process is final, and HCA might take positive action if the employee has violated the drug policy.
Conclusion
HCA's Drug Testing Policy is in place to ensure a safe work environment. Also, it is in place to ensure that employees are not abusing illegal drugs or alcohol during their employment with HCA.
HCA's Drug Testing Policy is very clear. But, the policy emphasizes that all employees in the company must abide by this policy under all circumstances. If an employee has violated HCA's Drug Testing Policy, they will be subject to disciplinary action, including termination.
Therefore, before taking a drug test with HCA, always remember to follow the rules and regulations set forth by this company under its Drug Testing Policy.
FAQ
What Drugs Will Be Tested For In The HCA Drug Test?
HCA drug tests the employee for the following drugs:
- Alcohol
- Amphetamines (AMP)
- Cannabinoids (THC)
- Cocaine (COC)
- Phencyclidine (PCP)
- Opiates (OPI), including codeine, morphine, and heroin
- Phencyclidine/Nor diazepam Combination (PCP/VNP)
Is The Policy Of HCA Mandatory For All Employees?
The drug testing policy of HCA is mandatory for all employees. Yet, this does not mean that the HCA enforces the policy on every employee. Also, the drug testing policy applies to all HCA facilities and is not limited to any particular facility.
What Are Exceptions To The HCA Drug Test Policy?
As mentioned earlier, the company's drug testing policy is designed to ensure that all employees can work each day and do their job safely. If an employee has a medical condition that requires medication, which might affect a drug test, then the employee can provide a doctor's note requesting an exception.
Also, if a medication is required to be able to do their job and they cannot take a different form of treatment, they can request such an exception. But, suppose an employee cannot provide a prescription for a drug or is found to be abusing drugs. In that case, HCA will have disciplinary action taken against that employee following the company's drug-testing policy.
What Procedure Does HCA Follow In The Drug Testing Process?
Following HCA's drug testing policy, the company follows the following protocol in its drug testing process:
- The employee will be notified about an upcoming test and given a date for the test.
- The HCA will ask the employee to provide a urine sample that matches their medical history.
- HCA will send the urine sample to the lab for testing.
- The lab test results will be sent to the employee, the MRO, and a third-party administrator.
- If an adverse drug test result is returned, a meeting will be arranged with an MRO who will appraise the cause of the incident.
- In case of any positive results, disciplinary action will be taken against the employee. It may include termination, suspension, or demotion following HCA's drug testing policy.
Does HCA Healthcare Drug Test For MMJ?
Yes, HCA Healthcare drug tests for MMJ. HCA also prohibits all drugs that are not acceptable by federal law. Since MMJ is illegal in most states and HCA operates in all states, it is covered under the company's drug-testing policy.