Student Urine Drug Screen Policy

Urine Drug Screen

The purpose of this policy is to provide a safe treatment, working and learning environment for patients, students, clinical and institutional staff and protection of property during enrollment in the UMES Physician Assistant Program. Health care accreditation organizations mandate that hospitals and other health care agencies require students, who participate in the care of patients, be subject to the same compliance and work standards as their employees. Accordingly, submitting a negative urine drug screen is a condition for participation in certain clinical experiential learning opportunities offered during the didactic phase of the UMES PA Program curriculum, as well as certain Supervised Clinical Practice Experiences (SCPEs) offered during the clinical phase of the program.  

Policy Statement 

All UMES Physician Assistant Program conditionally admitted applicants and current students will be required to undergo a urine drug screen prior to matriculation, prior to the start of the Clinical Year, or more frequently, at the discretion of the clinical faculty. For conditionally admitted applicants, the offer of admission is conditional upon results of the urine drug screen.  As a prerequisite to participating in patient care, UMES PA students may be required to undergo one or more random urine drug screens.  Such randomized testing is necessary in order to adhere to requirements of our clinical affiliates. When required by clinical facilities, students must complete urine drug screening prior to the onset of the given clinical experience.  Students are financially responsible for services related to urine drug screening. Depending on the specific clinical site requirements, this may need to be repeated annually or more frequently. If a conditionally admitted or current student declines to undergo a urine drug screen or if findings of a grievous nature are revealed, this will be grounds for rescinding an offer of admission or dismissal from the program. 

Urine drug screening results that limit the Program’s ability to secure clinical experiences may prevent a student from being promoted within the program or recommended for graduation. By accepting admission into the UMES PA program, students agree to submit to a urine drug screening, and also agree to pay expenses associated with these requirements. 

Process for Obtaining a Required Urine Drug Screen

  1. The UMES PA program will instruct students in the process for contacting the vendor with which the program has established a reporting relationship.
  2. The approved vendor will notify students via e-mail of the deadline for completion of any required urine drug screens throughout the course of the program.  
  3. The approved vendor will provide students with instructions regarding obtaining and authorizing release of all required urine drug screen results.   
  4. Required urine drug screen will consist of, but not be limited to:  Amphetamines (amphetamine and methamphetamine), Cocaine metabolite, Marijuana metabolites, Opiates (codeine and morphine), Phencyclidine, Barbiturates, Benzodiazepines, Methadone, Propoxyphene, Methaqualone, and MDMA (Ecstasy).    
  5. Results of all student drug screens will be provided by the approved vendor to the Program Director, Admissions Coordinator, and/or the Clinical Education Director of the PA Program.  Results will only indicate whether the test result is “negative” or “non-negative”.  No additional information will be provided to the program.  
  6. The approved vendor will ensure that all “non-negative” results are reviewed by a Medical Review Officer/physician (MRO).   A test is not considered “non-negative” until the MRO determines that the results are not due to a legally prescribed prescription medication being used as directed by their health care provider, or due to some other plausible reason.   In these cases, students will receive a complete report and will have the opportunity to provide additional information/ documentation to the MRO for consideration.  The UMES PA Program Director will be notified that the drug screen is undergoing review by the MRO.  Following review, the program will receive notification of whether the results are deemed to be “negative” or “nonnegative”.  

Program Examination of Urine Drug Screen Results

  1. The UMES PA Program Director, Clinical Education Director, Clinical Coordinator, or Admissions Coordinator will review all required drug screen reports for enrolled PA students.  
  2. Because of the mandate to comply with health system policies, and the serious implications of a “non-negative” test, disciplinary actions against students may be imposed without the customary mechanisms of warning and probation.  
  3. Students may not begin or continue coursework (clinical or non-clinical) immediately after a “non-negative” urine drug screen is received.  As a result, the student will not be able to complete the requirements of the education program and will be dismissed from the program following final review by the UMES PA Program Director. Candidates selected for a seat for the incoming cohort will have the acceptance offer rescinded.
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