University to begin drug testing for hospital jobs
By Christine Buurma | March 7, 2000Applicants for employment in certain health and security-related University positions will be required to undergo screening for drugs and alcohol beginning April 1. The policy will apply to about 35,000 University jobs, mostly in the Medical Center. The policy will affect only applicants for positions that directly impact individuals' safety, including hospital staff, University Police, security officers and operators of hazardous equipment. Thomas Gausvik, University chief human resource officer, emphasized that "this is not a random screening process." Testing is not required for those who currently are employed by the University unless there is sufficient reason to believe that an employee may be using a controlled substance, Gausvik said. He emphasized that there is no provision for random testing, except when offenders return to work. The University Health System proposed this policy four years ago, and it had been in development until now, he said. Board of Visitors Rector John P.
