PRE-EMPLOYMENT DRUG SCREENING FOR
RESIDENT PHYSICIANS
Penn State Hershey Graduate Medical Education
Policy Statement: It is the policy of Penn State Hershey Medical Center to provide a safe, drug
free work environment in accordance with the Drug Free Workplace Act of 1988. To
accomplish this objective, Penn State Hershey Medical Center conducts pre-employment drug
screening as a condition of employment. Any applicant who refuses to comply with this process
or who tests positive on a drug screen will not be hired. The drug screening guidelines set forth
within this policy applies to resident physicians because of the unique application and
employment process. For all employees other than resident and clinical staff physicians, policy
HR-44 is applicable.
Screening Guidelines:
1. Drug screening for resident physicians will be conducted during New Resident
Orientation.
2. Drug screening will occur at Penn State Hershey Medical Center.
3. The test site will report the test results to United States Investigation Services (USIS)
who will report the findings to Penn State Hershey Medical Center. Negative results will
normally be available within 2 days. Positive results will be confirmed by appropriate
methods, and are normally available within hours. Records of pre-employments drug
tests will be maintained in a secure database separate from the employee personnel file.
4. Positive results will be reviewed by MRO certified physicians on USIS staff. A
physician interview with the candidate will determine if the result is due to the presence
of a prescription medication that has been taken upon the advice of a physician. In such
case, the result will be reported as negative. If the physician interview determines that
the test result is due to the use of an illegal drug or a prescription medication absent a
physician order, the result will be reported as positive and the applicant will not be hired.
All positive test results will be immediately reported to the hiring Chair, Residency
Program Director, and Vice Dean for Educational Affairs.
Eligibility for Employment:
1. Any individual who refuses the drug test will not be eligible for residency training for
a time period of 12 months.
2. Any individual who tests positive can be denied employment. The resident will be
required to meet with the Program Director and Department Chair. The resident will
be offered counseling and may be referred to the Physician Health Program. In
addition, periodic testing may be required.
Approved by GMEC: 06/16/2008