Pre Employment Drug Screening Length of Time A Complete Guide
And what is the time frame for pre-employment drug testing? Click here for our comprehensive guide to timelines, the process and what affects wait times.
Introduction
Finding a job is stressful in itself, and when you add pre-employment drug screening it only makes things more nerve wracking. A lot of employers actually need these tests in place to ensure that new hires can do the job and are willing steps compliant with company policies. Perhaps you want to know, how long does pre-employment drug screening take if waiting on the results? The solution can vary but at least knowing when the typical time line is and process should hopefully ease your nerves.
This guide will go over the various types of drug tests, how long it typically takes to get results back and what causes a delay in the timeframe. This information will help any applicant or employer have some idea of what they are getting themselves into.
Pre Employment Drug Screening – An Insight
A pre-employment drug test is a type of clinical toxicology screening, which evaluates whether an individual has ingested drugs that might endanger their capability to carry out work duties safely and efficiently. These screenings generally test for drugs like marijuana, cocaine, amphetamines and methamphetamines, opiates,and phencyclidine (PCP). There are different types of tests as well, ranging from the common urine test to a hair sample and saliva or blood-based tests.
They differ in terms of timelines, accuracy and detection window for each testing method. Every bit of understanding will help calibrate when the whole process is projected to take what duration.
The Different Types of Drug Tests and Their Duration
Urine Drug Test
Urine drug screen is the most frequently used pre-employment test. These are low-ish cost, non-invasive, OTC tests that can screen for a ton of different substances.
Duration: A urine sample needs no more time than around 10 minutes to be collected. But lab turnaround times are currently 24 to 48 hours for results. Depending on the outcome of the initial test (non-negative = drugs detected), additional testing is necessary, This could take a day or so longer.
Hair Drug Test
Hair tests are less common and can reveal use back 90 days or more, according to the site.
Timeframe — a hair sample takes very little time—normally less than 10 mins to collect. But hair samples require additional analysis that can slow down results up to 3–7 businesses days.
Saliva Drug Test
Saliva tests are typically utilized in light of the fact that they offer idleness and they have a fast turnover. These primarily detect recent drug use, generally in the previous few days.
Time Frame: Sample collection is quick, usually under 5 minutes. Saliva tests provide results within 24 to 48 hours after collection, one of the faster options for drug screening.
Blood Drug Test
Due to this fact, blood tests tend to be less popular for pre-employment screening as they are also more invasive and costly. They are frequently used to find the current impairment and not former drug use.
Results: While is it likely to take several minutes for your blood to be drawn, you should receive the results of that draw in just 1 or 2 days. But exactly when that happens will depend on how busy the testing facility is and also probably a little on which particular test you need to do.
Why Did I Fail My Drug Test?
The type of test is absolutely one factor that plays a huge role in these figures, but there are quite literally dozens and dozens more parameters which can dictate how long pre-employment drug screening will take.
Lab Processing Time
The speed at which test results are returned to patients is often governed by the workload of labs. Especially during peak periods like post-holiday and at the height of hiring season, it sometimes takes longer to process applications. However, most labs hope to return results within a specific amount of time; precision is the goal but unforeseen delays can happen.
Employer Policies
Several employers have guidelines dictating that non-negative preliminary results require follow-up testing. Secondary testing can extend the timeline a bit, particularly if the sample needs to be sent somewhere else or demand more specific analysis.
Geographical Location
The distance to the lab from where you are being tested can also matter. This is in addition to the time for shipping samples over long distances, which can further prolong the process. Wait times could also lengthen because some rural areas have fewer labs and samples may be sent to larger, centralized facilities in other regions.
Type of Industry
Some industries, like transportation or healthcare might have more tests to run that require a wider analysis so will take longer. In these instances, employers may just elect to take the time for a full picture before hiring.
Need for Additional Testing
Additional testing may be required for any test result that is inconclusive or non-negative. That can easily prolong the timeline, as a sample may then need a more sophisticated examination to determine if drugs are present or absent.
The Role of Rapid Drug Tests
For situations when results cannot wait these tests are the ‘rapid’ drug test as an option that some employers opt using. Also, these tests can post results in little time and often used the same industries that uses them for immediate hiring decisions. Rapid tests are not as complete as lab-based and can be accompanied by additional testing if there is any doubt of the accuracy.
Rapid Drug Test Positive Declaration of Pros and Cons
Pros: The primary advantage is speed, which results in as little as 10 to 15 min; Key for industries that mandate fast hiring decisions.
Rapid tests, however, are usually less reliable and have a higher rate of false positive results. For this reason, they are frequently employed as a first-line test with the necessity for laboratory analysis to verify outcomes.
How to Get Ready for the Pre Employ Test of Medications
The preparation for a pre-employment drug test is quite simple. Candidates should not take anything that results in a non-negative test, such as regular prescription drugs which could potentially be taken for illegal substances. Or, in case you have been prescribed with certain medication it is best to inform the testing center along with documentation from your doctor.
The Following Steps to Approach While Going For a Drug Test
Read the Instructions: Check for instructions on the test (some tests require fasting before a blood draw, etc.) Do follow the instruction of your employer or testing center.
Hydration: Good hydration will help you collect smooth sample.( In the case of urine tests) Be sure not to over hydrate, because urine that’s too watered down will also mess up the test.
Refrain from Certain Substances: Some over-the-counter (OTC) medications or common food items can potentially cause you to test positive. Make sure that no matter what you do, stay away from anything and everything questionable for at least the 2-3 days before your initial test.
Drug Testing San DiegoLocal Drug Testing Services: Why National Live Scan Fingerprinting?
Professional pre-employment drug testing vendors are critical for both employers and job seekers. If you are in Miami-Dade, Broward or Palm Beach County than National Live Scan Fingerprinting is the preferred choice for all of your fingerprint and drug screening needs. National Livescan Fingerprinting recently earned FDLE approval for their expanded drug testing service, which is designed to provide the most thorough and compliant tests that help ensure an accurate result.
Why National Live Scan Fingerprinting?
Convenient Locations: Our North Miami Beach drug testing center, as well our Fort Lauderdale and Delray Beach locations provide convenient access to safe and secure facilities.
Reliable and Accredited – we are FDLE (Florida Department of Law Enforcement) approved with results that have been vetted to meet all legal compliance.
Rapidity of Process: Knowing the critical centers around pre-employment, National Livescan Fingerprinting ensures fast turnaround times so both employer and job sets out an opportunity for further notice.
Find out more about your drug test or set one up!
What Happens After the Test?
Once I completed the pre-employment drug test, it was just a waiting game. You will find out within a day or so for most standard tests and sometimes up to five days. Results are generally sent back to employers directly, and they in return will inform if there is a concern or not. If the results come back as non, then recruitment will continue as expected. If the results are non-negative, however then additional testing or information may be required from the Candidate.
Speaking to your employer
If you are sitting in worry waiting for your test results, it is only normal. You can follow up with the employer if you haven’t heard anything within a week or two. It proves you are taking action and also allows you to track where your application is being considered.
Steps to follow in the event of a positive test
Also, if you test positive for any of these it does not automatically disqualify you from the position. There are also a few employers willing to take extra context into account — like what exactly you were doing that day (eating or getting— and who paid—for lunch?); which can make the hiring process for medicinal marijuana using employees even more of an uphill battle.
