Pre-Employment Drug Testing in Virginia

When it comes to pre-employment drug tests, there is a wide range of methods employed to determine if a prospective hire has illicit substances in their system.

Pre-employment drug tests are a common preventative method used to ensure workplace safety and mitigate risks associated with workplace injury. They are often conducted for new hires but may also be used for employees returning to work following a leave or an injury. In instances where pre-employment drug testing is utilized, hiring decisions will likely be contingent on the passing of the test.

The most common substances screened for in pre-employment drug tests include methamphetamines, cocaine, opiates, THC, and phencyclidine, among others.

These tests not only detect illicit substances but can identify if a prospective employee is abusing prescription medication. To that end, tests may utilize urine, hair, saliva, and blood, with urine being the most common. Urine can detect substances for a period of five to ten days and is the most affordable testing option.

Drug testing plays a crucial role in workplace safety and also helps pair suitable employers and employees into prosperous working relationships.

Many workplace accidents and compensation claims across industries are related to substance abuse. Not only is it a safety concern, particularly in industries such as the transportation and healthcare industries, but substance misuse can result in costly high turnover rates.

Whether or not an employer cares about alcohol results in a drug test may be contingent on the specific workplace. In certain industries where alcohol testing is necessary for a bonafide requirement of the job, such as in the transportation industry, alcohol detection may be of note. In instances where an employer has observed signs that suggest reasonable concern regarding alcohol misuse, testing may also occur.

The time it takes to determine the outcome of a drug test can vary depending on several factors, including the type of drug test conducted. In some instances, there may be additional time needed for shipping samples and result reporting.

Certain facilities, like urgent care clinics equipped with testing services, such as Nova Patient Care, offer prompt turnaround times for drug test results.

Among the different drug testing methods, urine tests tend to yield some of the swiftest results. Typically, negative results can be made available within 1-2 business days after the testing laboratory receives the urine specimen.

However, in cases where further confirmation testing is required, an additional business day may be needed. Once a drug test returns negative results, indicating the absence of detectable substances, the testing process for that sample is considered complete. At this point, the results should be accessible to the employer within three business days.

When a drug test produces positive results, it usually necessitates further testing to ensure accuracy and rule out false positives. As a result, positive test results tend to take longer, with an average waiting period of 4 to 6 business days.

Whether or not you can retake a drug test following a failure will vary among employers, industries, and specific circumstances. Oftentimes, prospective employees are allowed to request a retest.

In many instances of retesting the same sample will have to be reused. This can help when contamination may have occurred in the lab. If testing with a new sample is allowed by their employer, prospective employees will typically have to pay out of pocket for a new test.

Pre-employment drug testing is available at Nova Patient Care. For more information, contact us or book an appointment online. We serve patients from Woodbridge VA, Bethel VA, Dale City VA, Old Town Alexandria VA, Huntington VA, Fort Hunt VA, Arlington VA, Mclean VA, Idylwood VA, Kingstowne Center Alexandria VA, Franconia VA, Newington VA, Falls Church VA, Annandale VA, Tysons VA, Richmond Hwy Alexandria VA, Pentagon City Arlington VA, Seven Corners VA, Lake Barcroft, VA and surrounding areas.