Are you thinking of enrolling in a drug and alcohol testing course? This nationally accredited unit of competency – HLTPAT005 Collect Specimens for Drugs of Abuse Testing – is designed for participants who would like to work within the drug and alcohol testing industry as drug and alcohol testers and those who are required to perform on-site drug and alcohol testing within their workplace.
The program and associated materials are designed in accordance with relevant Australian standards and legislation. Today’s post will delve deep into the course content, requirements, and associated fees. Continue reading.
What is the course content?
Anyone responsible for drug and alcohol screening or collection in the workplace is required to take this course. Those who wish to learn more about drug and alcohol screening procedures can also enrol in this course as it covers both urine drug tests and saliva drug tests. This workplace alcohol and drug screening course covers how to do the following:
- Understand organisational guidelines for drug and alcohol testing;
- Communicate testing requirements to employees;
- Plan for drug and alcohol testing;
- Undertake random testing;
- Undertake reasonable cause testing;
- Undertake post-incident testing; and
- Complete records and testing documentation.
This drug and alcohol screening course is designed to ensure that collectors and testers follow correct procedures when performing onsite drug tests and alcohol breath tests and preparing and packaging a test specimen for laboratory testing. The course specifically covers an introduction to drug types and their effects, drug testing methods, drug testing equipment types, chain-of-custody requirements, review of Australian Standards, arranging a drug test, and conducting a urine drug test and oral fluid drug test.
What career pathways are available for participants?
Career pathways include working at medical centres, large industrial sites, transport depots, mine sites, and other workplaces or environments where the need for drug and alcohol screening has been set as a requirement as per the Workplace Health and Safety guidelines.
Does the course meet Australian Standards?
It can be challenging, costly, and time-consuming to manage the safety and health of people at work. Reducing the chance of workplace incidents can have a direct impact on the costs of daily operations, which is why workplaces need to be able to deliver or manage drug and alcohol screening programs. This allows them to significantly improve the health, safety, and well-being of their workforce.
As per the relevant Australian legislation, having the right skills and knowledge to deliver and arrange these drug and alcohol screening programs is imperative. At the Australian Training Institute, this nationally accredited unit of competency HLTPAT005 Collect Specimens for Drugs of Abuse Testing has been developed to meet legislative requirements for drug testing and alcohol screening.
All drug and alcohol testing officers are required to hold a Statement of Attainment in accordance with Occupational Health and Safety requirements and Australian Quality Training Framework under the definition of collector in the relevant Australian Standards.
Where is the course conducted?
This comprehensive drug and alcohol testing course HLTPAT005 is pathology-based. Here at the Australian Training Institute, we want to allow flexibility and convenience for workplaces and their employees, so we offer this course both in face-to-face classroom or via online learning.
Participants will have access to a qualified drug and alcohol testing officer or assessor who will assist them with any questions they may have during their training over the phone or computer. Those who choose distance learning will have no classroom component. They will be sent a comprehensive training pack with a student workbook, access to an online training portal, and drug testing equipment.
What are the course requirements and qualifications?
For the online course, participants are required to have a method of recording themselves. As part of the assessment conditions for this course, participants will need three (3) different ‘clients’ to test. These can be roleplayed by family, friends or colleagues, but three different people must be tested.
Participants who successfully complete this comprehensive course will be awarded the nationally accredited unit of competency HLTPAT005 Collect Specimens for Drug of Abuse testing and will receive a Statement of Attainment certificate.
Upon completion of the course, participants will be allowed to work as drug and alcohol screening officers in a workplace environment and other settings such as health care centres and hospitals.
What is the average course fee from a registered training organisation? What is the duration?
On average, the cost of online learning for this drug and alcohol screening course is $760 per person. This is usually 9 hours of private study. Participants get to study at their own pace, complete the online modules, as well as the written and practical assessment in their preferred time.
Classroom training is also a one-day program that runs for around 8 hours with a lunch break. This is ideal for companies with multiple people that require training.
Which registered training organisation (RTO) to choose?
Whether you are seeking more advanced training or are still new to the industry, the right registered training organisation should endeavour to ensure that you will have a great learning experience. When looking for a training organisation where you can take this comprehensive drug and alcohol screening course, you have to enquire if the training is delivered by experts. Are they experienced drug and alcohol screening officers?
Also, the right RTO has training content that is continually updated and reflects the latest equipment and technology. They also follow the proper procedures and comply with the requirements set by relevant Australian guidelines.
Want to become an expert in managing drug and alcohol risk in the workplace?
Managing drug and alcohol risk is the key to ensuring a safe workplace. This prevents real damage to a company or brand’s reputation as a result of drug and alcohol incidents at work. If you’re a business owner, part of your responsibility is to ensure that there is an alcohol and drug policy in place. If you’re required to perform alcohol testing in the workplace, then this course is right for you.
For enquiries on this drug and alcohol testing course HLTPAT005, get in touch with us here at the Australian Training Institute. Give us a call on 07 3269 5005!
