US NRC Substance Abuse Expert Qualification Renewal

Description:  The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission and commercial nuclear power industry has published regulations about the potential public health and safety impacts of fitness-for-duty (FFD) problems at nuclear power plants and other facilities that handle nuclear material.  Licensees are required to implement programs to address FFD problems including illegal drug use, alcohol abuse, misuse of legal drugs, and any other mental or physical problems that could impair job performance. The events of 9/11 also highlighted a need to strengthen the NRC’s requirements for granting unescorted access to protected and vital areas in nuclear facilities.  These changes in the context within which the nuclear industry operated, and others, resulted in a very long and complex rulemaking process that produced the new rule. The new rule, (10 C.F.R. Part 26) outlines responsibilities for Substance Abuse Experts who provide substance abuse assessments as part of the fitness-for-duty program.  Licensees were responsible to implement the relevant sections that affect SAEs by March 31, 2010.

Eligible professionals* who wish to renew their qualification as Substance Abuse Experts (SAEs) must meet continuing education requirements.  To be eligible to re-qualify to perform substance abuse evaluations for employees, who violate NRC drug and alcohol prohibitions, Substance Abuse Experts must obtain 12 professional development hours relevant to the US NRC FFD program. 

(*Eligible professionals include licensed physicians, licensed or certified social workers, licensed or certified psychologists, licensed or certified employee assistance professionals, or an alcohol and drug abuse counselor certified by the National Association of Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselors (NAADAC) Certification Commission or by the International Certification Reciprocity Consortium/Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse (ICRC).)

This renewal study includes material concerning new technologies, interpretations, recent guidance, rule changes, and other information about developments in SAE practice and includes documented assessment tools (posttest and course evaluation) to assist in determining that the SAE has learned the material.

Objectives:

(1) Participants will be able to describe the background, rationale, and scope of the NRC FFD regulations.

(2) Participants will be able to distinguish the key drug testing requirements of the NRC FFD regulations including specimen collection, laboratory testing, MRO review, and problems in drug testing.

(3) Participants will be able to describe key alcohol testing requirements of the NRC FFD regulations including specimen collection, the testing process, and problems in alcohol tests.

(4) Participants will be able to implement SAE qualifications and prohibitions.

(5) Participants will be able to describe the role of the SAE in making determinations of fitness and the return-to-duty process, including the initial evaluation, referrals for education and/or treatment, the follow-up evaluation, continuing treatment recommendations, and the follow-up testing plan

(6) Participants will be able to implement procedures for SAE consultation and communication with LOEs, MROs, and treatment providers.

(7) Participants will be able to perform reporting and recordkeeping requirements of the NRC FFD regulations.

(8) Participants will be able to identify and discuss issues that SAEs confront in carrying out their duties under the NRC FFD regulations. 

Agenda

Hour One: Section One:  Pretest and Course Overview

Hour Two: Section Two:  10 C.F.R. Study Guide Subpart A- Administrative Provisions, Subpart B—Program Elements

Hour Three: Section Two:  10 C.F.R. Study Guide Subpart C—Granting & Maintaining Authorization; Subpart D—Management Actions and Sanctions to be Imposed

Hour Four: Section Two: 10 C.F.R. Study Guide Subpart E—Collecting Specimens for Testing 

Hour Five: Section Two: 10 C.F.R. Study Guide Subpart F—Licensee Testing Facilities

Hour Six: Section Two: 10 C.F.R. Study Guide Subpart G— DHHS Laboratories  

Hour Seven: Section Two:  10 C.F.R. Study Guide Subpart H—Determining Fitness-for-Duty  Policy Violations and Determining Fitness

Hour Eight: Section Two:  10 C.F.R. Study Guide Subpart I—Managing Fatigue 

Hour Nine: Section Two:  10 C.F.R. Study Guide Subpart K—FFD Programs for Construction

Hour Ten: Section Two: 10 C.F.R. Study Guide Subpart N—Recordkeeping and Reporting Requirements; Subpart O—Inspections, Violations, and Penalties

Hour Eleven: Study Guide Two: 10 C.F.R. Part 26

Hour Twelve: Post test 

CE Credits:  12

CE Broker #s:  OL 20-343261 10-1281031  HS 20-343258    10-1281029   

Purpose:  To prepare eligible professionals to renew SAE qualification under 10 C.F.R. Part 26.

Methods:  Online and Home Study:  Study guides, pretest, posttest, Q&A by email.   Live classes are offered under individual contract.