Role of the Medical Review Officer

The Medical Review Officer (MRO) is a physician knowledgeable in the medical use of prescription drugs and the pharmacology and toxicology of illicit drugs. The primary responsibility of the MRO is to review and interpret positive test results obtained through the Care Station's substance testing program.

It is important to remember that a positive test result does not automatically identify an employee/applicant as an illegal drug user. The MRO must assess and determine whether alternative medical explanations could account for the positive test result.

The following is a listing of the MRO's specific responsibilities as required by the DHHS Mandatory Guidelines:

  1. Receive confirmed positive results from laboratory
  2. Request, if needed, a quantitative description of test results
  3. Receive a certified copy of the original chain of custody
  4. Review and interpret non-negative test results
  5. Inform the tested individual and provide test results
  6. Conduct a medical interview with the tested individual
  7. Review the tested individual's medical history, or any other relevant biomedical factors
  8. Give the tested individual an opportunity to discuss test results, but not necessarily face to face
  9. Order a re-analysis of the original sample in a certified laboratory, if necessary
  10. Consult with others if question of accuracy arises
  11. Consult with the laboratory officials
  12. Not receive urinalysis results that do not comply with the mandatory guidelines
  13. Not declare as positive an opiate-positive urine without "clinical evidence"
  14. Determine whether a result is scientifically insufficient
  15. Determine whether a result is consistent with legal drug use
  16. Forward results of verified positive tests to EAP and management officials empowered to recommend or administer action.
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