TOXICOLOGY SCREENING

Policy Number: 3349-AC-266
Effective Date: 01/1/2023
Updated: 02/01/2026
Reviewed: —
Responsible Department: Student Services
Approval Authority: Provost

A. Purpose

1. Northeast Ohio Medical University (NEOMED) is committed to providing the highest level of educational activity, while holding its students to the highest level of professional conduct. This commitment includes an obligation to ensure that students are functioning free from the influence of illegal substances.  This policy is designed to ensure a clear understanding of the expectation that students participate in Toxicology Screening to ensure their safety, the safety of their patients, and the safety of the health care environments where they may be participating in direct patient care activities, as well as comply with the requirements of the facility at which that care is being provided.

B. Scope

1. This policy applies to all students enrolled in academic programs that include Clinical Activity (as defined in this policy).

C. Definitions

1. “10-Panel” or “12-Panel” refers to the drug testing performed using a person’s urine or saliva to check for drug residues for the most common drugs that a person may be abusing.
2. “Addiction Specialist” refers to either an addiction psychiatrist or addiction medicine physician who also holds a specialized certification. Addiction and substance use disorder are complex medical conditions that require the assistance of clinical staff such as an Addiction Specialist.
3. “Clinical Activity” refers to any activity involving direct patient care; it does not include shadowing experiences.
4. “Clinical Site” refers to any health care facility where students participate in Clinical Activity as part of the curricular requirements of their academic program.
5. “Prescription” refers to written instructions from a physician, dentist, etc., to a pharmacist stating the form, dosage strength, etc., of a drug to be issued to a specific patient. While it is legal in Ohio to use marijuana for medicinal purposes, it is not available via Prescription and remains an illegal Schedule 1 substance under federal law.
6. “Toxicology Screening” refers to various tests that determine the approximate amount and type of legal or illegal drugs that a person has taken. NEOMED utilizes a urine sample or saliva swab. A Toxicology Screening can also be referred to as a drug test.

D. Body of the Policy

1. Pursuant to the Administration of Student Conduct policy, students are required to report any criminal charges, including those related to illegal drug possession or use, as they may have implications for current or future licensure. Students are also encouraged to voluntarily self-disclose any addiction concerns or treatment needs in advance of any Toxicology Screening.  Concerns in this area can best be addressed and ameliorated when a student with potential addiction concerns voluntarily comes forward for treatment, support and care which can be provided through or coordinated by NEOMED staff or referral to an external Addiction Specialist.
2. Toxicology Screening Process
   1. All Toxicology Screenings are coordinated by the Office of Student Services on behalf of all colleges at NEOMED.
   2. The Toxicology Screening procedures are available in Appendix A of this policy.
   3. NEOMED contracts with a third-party vendor to provide the screening services, results, and communication of these results back to NEOMED.
   4. The substances listed below are those that are included in the Toxicology Screening. The 12-Panel tests for all of the following drugs, while the 10-Panel tests only for those listed in (i) – (x):
      1. Amphetamines/Methamphetamines
      2. Cocaine and Metabolites
      3. Cannabinoids (Marijuana)
      4. Opiates (Morphine and Codeine)
      5. PCP
      6. Barbiturates
      7. Methadone
      8. Propoxyphene
      9. Ecstasy
      10. Benzodiazepines
      11. Buprenorphine
      12. Hydrocodone
3. Screening Timeline
   1. Students are screened within a sufficient timeframe for screening results to be received by NEOMED and for notification of Toxicology Screening compliance to be relayed to the clinical site where a student is assigned prior to the start of Clinical Activities.
   2. Testing occurs in the following timeframes and cohorts as identified by each college.
      1. College of Medicine: M1 Fall and M2 Spring
      2. College of Pharmacy: P3 Spring
      3. College of Graduate Studies: Anesthesiology Assistant program: Spring, year one
      4. College of Dentistry: D1 Fall and D2 Spring
   3. Additional screenings outside of identified testing in section 3(b) that are required by clinical sites are the scheduling and payment responsibility of the student.
   4. Additional screenings outside of the identified testing schedule (noted in this policy) may be conducted on the basis of reasonable suspicion pursuant to the Mood-Altering or Consciousness Altering Substances policy.
4. Toxicology Screening Results
   1. Results of Toxicology Screening will be maintained confidentially and managed through the Office of Student Services and the Assistant Director of Credentialing in a manner that complies with applicable state and federal requirements.
   2. If an initial positive result is obtained for any of the substances within the 10-Panel screening, the screening service will have a Medical Review Officer contact any student with a positive screen directly to request proof of prescriptions before a final positive result is reported to NEOMED. Failure to respond to the Medical Review Officer may result in a positive screen result notification to NEOMED.
      1. Proof of prescription cannot be provided prior to a Toxicology Screening.
      2. An Ohio Medical Marijuana Registry card is not considered a Prescription. While legalized for medicinal purposes in Ohio, marijuana is still considered an illegal Schedule I substance under federal law. A positive result for marijuana will be communicated to NEOMED regardless of the possession of an Ohio Medical Marijuana Registry card.
   3. Negative screening results will be noted as such in the third party confidential system used by NEOMED, which can be printed and shared by the student with their Clinical Sites as requested.
   4. All screening results will be stored in a confidential manner and separate from the student’s academic file unless the matter is referred to and heard by the Student Conduct Officer, Student Conduct Hearing Board, or the Committee on Academic and Professional Progress.
   5. Students who refuse to complete Toxicology Screening or receive a positive result will not be permitted to participate in any Clinical Activity, and will be referred to the Student Conduct Officer for appropriate action including, but not limited to, the following:
      1. Repeat the Toxicology Screening until a negative result;
      2. Assessment by an Addiction Specialist;
      3. Substance abuse treatment requirements;
      4. The imposition of a medical leave of absence if necessary; or
      5. Subsequent monitoring and treatment requirements must be met before a student may be permitted to return to and/or remain in the curriculum.
   6. Failure to comply with these policy requirements of NEOMED may result in disciplinary action.

DOWNLOAD THE POLICY*

Appendix A