Integrity Sampling understands that drug and alcohol management and testing can be confusing for many workplaces. From time to time, most workplaces will have issues they’re not sure about and questions they need answered.
While Integrity Sampling is always available to help answer most questions you may have about drug and alcohol management, if there are issues or questions we can’t help with and you need specialist medical help, an excellent point of contact is a Medical Review Officer.
Introducing Dr Sarah Moss
Integrity Sampling’s recommended Medical Review Officer (MRO) is OHS MED, which is independently owned and managed by Dr Sarah Moss, who specialises in Medical Review Officer services and specifically managing drug and alcohol issues.
Sarah has been providing MRO advice to a diverse range of organisations for over 20 years. Sarah is the sole provider of MRO services to Transport for NSW, including Sydney Trains and NSW Trains, and many other organisations including local government, energy suppliers, construction and engineering companies, transport and logistics.
Sarah is a Board member of the Australasian MRO Association (AMROA) and Chair of Australia and NZ Society of Occupational Medicine (ANZSOM NSW/ACT Branch).
Sarah and OHS MED proudly deliver a personalised, professional and value added service including rapid same-day reporting. She is passionate about developing strong relationships with our clients and helping them achieve superior occupational health outcomes.
Benefits to the employer of utilising an MRO
The MRO's role is to assist and advise an employer on how to manage drug and alcohol testing in the workplace including interpreting results and providing fitness for work advice.
Dr Sarah Moss will ensure the integrity of your drug and alcohol testing program and interpretation of results. This provides:
- Assurance to the organisation that testing is effective in managing risk.
- Giving employees the confidence that testing will be fair with correct interpretation of results and with appropriate confidentiality maintained.
- Valuable advice in the development of a drug and alcohol policy and quality alcohol and other drug (A&OD) program.
Many organisations have geographically dispersed working populations and because of this Dr Moss offers a telephone MRO service.
Example queries OHS MED assist with
My worker has returned a non-negative on-site result — can they work while waiting for the laboratory confirmation?
Dr Moss can be contacted immediately to conduct a confidential telephone consultation with the worker to determine if declared medication could be the reason for the non- negative result. Dr Moss will provide advice to the employer whether the worker is fit to continue usual duties or restricted duties or should be stood down while waiting for the laboratory result confirmation. This includes advice about whether the medication, or reason for taking it, are compatible with safe working.
How do I read the laboratory confirmation report?
Dr Moss is highly skilled in interpreting the laboratory confirmation report and will provide a written report to the employer explaining the result and including fitness for work advice.
Can I just use an MRO after the laboratory confirmation is received?
Yes. An MRO can be involved at any time you require advice.
An employee declares medication — is it safe to take at work?
Dr Moss will provide advice on whether the medication is OK to take for the worker, depending on the job role, and considering the medical condition the medication is treating.
An employee refuses a drug test — can an MRO help?
Dr Moss will provide advice about any scenario of the testing procedure. She can also help you develop a Drug and Alcohol policy appropriate to your workforce.
Medicinal Cannabis is becoming an issue in our workforce — is it safe?
Prescribed medicinal cannabis is becoming widespread in Australia. Dr Moss has extensive experience in guiding employers through this issue and providing advice about individual cases.
How do I help a worker who tests positive to an illicit drug or alcohol?
Ideally they require a face-to-face comprehensive assessment to determine fitness for work and treatment/monitoring requirements. Dr Moss will work with the employee and employer to achieve the best outcome.
My employee works remotely — how can an MRO help?
Dr Moss offers a telehealth MRO service available to all workers remote or local to ensure minimal loss of work time.
