If you have just been notified that you need to give a urine specimen for a urinalysis, you may be panicking, depending on what the testers are looking for.
This is normal, but sometimes knowing the process can help you figure out what to do if there is a possibility that you won’t get the results you need.
In these times more and more companies are doing screenings. They usually are looking for nicotine and other toxins before they decide on whether to hire someone. No problem if you don’t smoke or engage in other activities that could leave toxins in your bloodstream.
The best way to make sure your urinalysis is free from any toxins they may be looking for is to know what you are up against from the start so that you can prepare yourself.
Yes, it takes a little time and research, but it will be worth it in the end. Knowledge is power. Your power.
Before the Test
When it comes to urine testing procedures, there are a few things to keep in mind so that you are fully prepared for it. You don’t want to be caught off guard or taken aback by anything that is going to occur.
It starts with receiving the paperwork to take a urine screen. It is important to fill out this information truthfully and to the best of your ability. Once the paperwork arrives, you will know what to expect and how to prepare. This consists of a timeframe of when to show up and where you will be attending this urine screening. It is vital that you mark that date down on your calendar and show up on time and ready to go.
Testing personnel watch people and look for reasons to be more diligent about testing their urine samples. Showing up on time, prepared to go, says, “I have nothing to hide,” which is how you want to present yourself.
The Day of the Test
Once there, you will fill out the paperwork that they give you, and wait in the lobby to be called into the back of the facility where your urine sample will be collected.
The paperwork isn’t too difficult and just consists of your basic information. However, one should take their time when filling it out and make sure they fill it out correctly. Any incorrect paperwork or misinformation can lead to delays and issues. That is one thing that you don’t want to have to think about or deal with while at your urine screening.
Once they call you back there, you will empty everything out of your pockets and be sure to have them free of anything and everything. From that point, you will be handed a cup and instructed not to wash your hands or flush the toilet. It is very important that you follow these guidelines.
Then the requirements consist of filling up the cup with at least two ounces of urine at the 90-99 degree range. All of this is very specific and must be followed in order for this to be done properly and without any hitches or disruptions.
If it is accepted, the nurse will check off on the temperature, have you sign chain of custody papers, which say that you agree that the cup with the urine specimen is yours and has been sealed in front of you.
You will then be sent back to the front of the building. Then it shouldn’t be too long before you get the results from your employer.
All in all, it is a simple process that isn’t anything to worry about or get stressed out about when thinking about it. There is no need for any fears or anxiety to enter your head. Those are just wasted worries and wasted time.
Major labs like Quest Diagnostics, Alere Toxicology, and LabCorp use this as standard practice, and it is a very reliable and safe way to get the right results without any headaches.
eCup or eScreen
Waiting for your results can be worrisome, especially if you have done everything you could think to do to make sure there were no toxins in your sample. As a matter of fact, believe it or not, results can be delivered on-site if they use an eCup or eScreen which will give instant results.
What is an eCup? The eCup system is built so that the cup and the lid have all of the components needed to quickly test your urine for toxins and get the results back to you in 15 minutes. It is created to interface with a machine which removes any chance of human error.
It is truly amazing what they can do with technology. Because of the instant results, you don’t have to waste time waiting for the phone call or wondering what the results are. You get them right away and can walk out with peace of mind and a smile on your face.
That is the beauty of this system and why so many employers are using it for potential employees. Your eCup results are swiftly delivered to you and your potential employer; they save time, and if there was a problem, you are aware and can look into finding a way to make sure the next urine sample you give is clean and free of toxins.
We would all like to believe that our merit alone should be enough to get a job. Our lives, outside of work, should not have to be scrutinized.
Sadly, though, more and more companies have a bottom line they have to deal with, and if they can save money, by not hiring someone who could be a medical liability, they will pass by that person. Again, make sure to remember all of this before you go in and when you go in. If you do that, you will have nothing to be concerned about and can have it done in a quick and painless manner.
Check out our Quick Fix Synthetic Urine blog for more information on Urine Screenings.
Resources
https://blog.employersolutions.com/preparing-for-a-drug-test-collection/
