Ultima Medical Services’ certified staff have successfully collected pre-employment, random, return-to-work, and post-incident drug and alcohol testing for the past 30 years. Our Medical Review Officer (MRO) advocates for the accuracy and integrity of the drug testing process.
We are specialists at collecting and testing urine and oral fluids and providing third-party oversight and case management.
Workplace drug and alcohol testing in British Columbia is a niche and complex sector. Few people perform it, and those who do require a thorough understanding of federal and provincial standards, statutes, guidelines, policies, and procedures to provide clients with accurate, litigation-proof results and strategies.
It’s tricky to navigate this highly regulated world; you need experienced MROs who know what they’re doing and what to expect.
That’s what we offer at Ultima Medical: knowledgeable, experienced, thorough professionals who deliver what we promise.
Navigating a Highly Regulated Sector
British Columbia’s drug and alcohol testing landscape is niche and complex. Few practitioners are fully versed in the necessary federal and provincial standards, statutes, guidelines, policies, and procedures. Ultima’s seasoned team brings the know-how to guide you through this regulatory maze, delivering testing protocols that stand up to legal scrutiny.
Why Choose Ultima for Drug & Alcohol Testing?
Decades of Experience
With 25 years of expertise, we’ve honed our processes to provide fast, reliable, and litigation-proof results.
Certified Collection & Analysis
We specialize in collecting and testing urine and oral fluid samples, ensuring industry-best practices.
Medical Review Officer (MRO) Oversight
Our MRO offers independent oversight and case management, protecting both employers and employees by validating all results.
Compliance & Risk Mitigation
Workplace drug and alcohol testing in BC is highly regulated. Our thorough understanding of federal and provincial standards helps safeguard your company from legal challenges.
Experience You Can Rely On
With Ultima Medical, you gain the support of professionals who:
- Stay current on ever-evolving laws and regulations.
- Deliver accurate & timely results that employers can trust.
- Advise on policy development, implementation, and case management strategies.
Frequently Asked Quesions
What types of drug and alcohol testing do you do?
Pre-employment drug and alcohol testing for job applicants where a drug or alcohol test is a condition of employment.
Post-incident/post-accident drug and alcohol testing of employees to establish the cause of workplace incidents.
Reasonable suspicion drug and alcohol testing of employees to help confirm or disprove substance abuse.
*Random drug and alcohol testing of employees returning to work following treatment for drug and alcohol dependence.
*This refers to employees who have signed a “Relapse Prevention Agreement” with the employer.
Who can be required to take a drug or alcohol test?
Anyone who has been caught violating a company drug and alcohol testing policy.
Anyone involved in safety sensitive work (SSW) such as pilots, law enforcement, air traffic controllers, firefighters, first responders, search and rescue, seafarers, mariners, miners and heavy equipment operators.
Any impaired individual who places the health and safety of themselves, co-workers and the general public at risk.
What happens if I fail a drug or alcohol test?
A positive drug or alcohol test is re-tested to ensure the result is correct and will withstand scrutiny in a court of law.
A certified Medical Review Officer (MRO) then establishes if there is a medical explanation for a positive result — ie: if an employee is using prescription medicine — or if it is a substance abuse issue.
The MRO may review, verify and discuss the result with the individual.
The MRO then writes a report and shares the analysis/recommendations with the employer.
The employer determines what happens next.
When should post incident/accident drug tests take place?
Alcohol testing needs to be done within 8 hours of an incident, drug testing within 32 hours.
What kinds of drug and alcohol testing protocols do you follow?
We provide DOT & NON-DOT urine, drug and breath alcohol testing.
Do you do medical case management?
Yes. We are experienced case managers and proficient at third party oversight.
Contact us for more details, we’d be happy to explain how this works.
What is at stake with drug and alcohol testing?
Impaired employees or employees with substance abuse problems, particularly those working in safety sensitive jobs, represent a risk to themselves, co-workers and the general public.
These employees can cost employers tens of millions of dollars every year through absenteeism, workers compensation claims, employee theft, use of health care benefits & so on.
NOTE: In Canada drug and alcohol dependence is considered a disability, and as such employers have a responsibility under the Canadian Human Rights Act to help dependent employees.
Where do the drug and alcohol tests take place?
At our Richmond office.