How to hire a drug abuse technician

How to hire a drug abuse technician, step by step

Here's a step-by-step drug abuse technician hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a drug abuse technician job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new drug abuse technician
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   First, determine the employments status of the drug abuse technician you need to hire. Certain drug abuse technician roles might require a full-time employee, whereas others can be done by part-time workers or contractors.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   A drug abuse technician's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, drug abuse technicians from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

   Here's a comparison of drug abuse technician salaries for various roles:

   Type of Drug Abuse Technician	Description	Hourly rate
   Drug Abuse Technician	Substance abuse and behavioral disorder counselors advise people who suffer from alcoholism, drug addiction, eating disorders, or other behavioral problems. They provide treatment and support to help the client recover from addiction or modify problem behaviors.	$10-17
   Rehabilitation Counselor	Rehabilitation counselors are professional counselors who are responsible for helping individuals cope with their disabilities to live independently. These counselors are required to consult other professionals, family members, and individuals when developing a treatment plan based on the goals, strengths, limitations, and personal values of their clients... Show more	$14-27
   Mental Health Counselor	A mental health counselor is responsible for helping patients deal with their emotional and mental disorders by developing treatment plans and conducting regular counseling to track the patient's progress and condition. Mental health counselors encourage active communication from their patients, provide coping strategies for triggering situations, seek advice from other health care professionals, and guide patients on doing other activities that would help them relax... Show more	$16-33

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Drug Screens
   • Alcohol Screens
   • Drug Tests
   • Test Results
   • Vital Signs
   • Custody Procedures
   • BAT
   • Treatment Planning
   • DOT Regulations
   • Non-Dot
   • Alcohol Tests
   • Random Drug
   • CPR
   • HIPAA

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Work with outside counsel to develop patent and trademark portfolio and manage patent litigation.
   • Complete intake procedures for new clients including UA's.
   • Compose written reports of data collect from patient evaluation and present to department chief for thorough analysis of patient diagnosis.
   • Administer state require DWI protocols including breathalyzer tests and obtaining specimens.

   More drug abuse technician duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your drug abuse technician job description is one of the best ways to attract top talent. A drug abuse technician can vary based on:

   • Location. For example, drug abuse technicians' average salary in georgia is 38% less than in oregon.
   • Seniority. Entry-level drug abuse technicians 41% less than senior-level drug abuse technicians.
   • Certifications. A drug abuse technician with certifications usually earns a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for an established firm or a new start-up company can make a big difference in a drug abuse technician's salary.

   Average drug abuse technician salary

   $14.03hourly

   $29,180 yearly

   ---

   Entry-level drug abuse technician salary

   $22,000 yearly salary

   Updated January 15, 2026

   Average drug abuse technician salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	California	$29,571	$14
   2	West Virginia	$27,871	$13
   3	Nebraska	$26,998	$13
   4	South Carolina	$22,582	$11

   Average drug abuse technician salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	Choctaw Nation Of Oklahoma	$24,689	$11.87
   2	West Virginia University	$23,961	$11.52	4

4. Writing a drug abuse technician job description

   A job description for a drug abuse technician role includes a summary of the job's main responsibilities, required skills, and preferred background experience. Including a salary range can also go a long way in attracting more candidates to apply, and showing the first name of the hiring manager can also make applicants more comfortable. As an example, here's a drug abuse technician job description:

   Drug abuse technician job description example

   
   220886
   
   Location:
   
   DC - L'Enfant Plaza
   
   Full/Part Time:
   
   Full-Time
   
   Posting Open-Close
   
   10/03/2022
   
   -
   
   10/17/2022
   
   Union
   
   NRP
   
   Regular/Temporary:
   
   Regular
   
   **Job Description**
   
   **On-Site Work Statement:**
   
   This is an on-site/in-person work opportunity.
   
   **Marketing Statement:**
   
   WMATA's Drug and Alcohol Compliance program is seeking a highly skilled team player with experience in medical office and/or medical laboratory environments. The preferred candidate will have federal urine drug specimen collections and breath alcohol testing experience as mandated by 49 CFR Part 40. The candidate must be comfortable with gender specific testing requirements and possess the ability to promptly assess and report all matters of non-compliance. The candidate must be able to work rotating flexible hours with little to no notice when scheduling changes occur in support of WMATA's 24-hour drug and alcohol testing services. Strong skills in MS Office, customer centricity, and HIPAA adherence is required.
   
   **Minimum Qualifications**
   
   **Education**
   
   + A high school diploma or GED is required.
   
   **Experience**
   
   + One (1) year of experience as a medical technician, laboratory technician, or healthcare professional, or, six (6) months of experience performing urine drug and breath alcohol specimen collections may be considered.
   
   **Certification/Licensure**
   
   + Ability to acquire certification as a Breath Alcohol Technician and Urine Specimen Collector within 90 days of hire.
   
   **Preferred**
   
   **Education**
   
   + An Associate's degree from an accredited college program.
   
   **Experience**
   
   + Experience working in a medical office or laboratory environment working variable shifts.
   
   + Experience performing DOT urine drug chain of custody and breath alcohol specimen collections.
   
   **Certification/Licensure**
   
   + Current completion of valid qualification training to perform DOT urine drug chain of custody and breath alcohol specimen collections.
   
   **Medical Group**
   
   Satisfactorily complete the medical examination for this position, if required. The incumbent must be able to perform the essential functions of this position either with or without reasonable accommodations.
   
   **Mission Essential Designation**
   
   In accordance with the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority's Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP) this job has been identified as critical to mission essential functions. Incumbents in this role may be required to report to or continue to work in the event of authorized office closings or servere weather, natural disaster, fire, operational emergencies or related events.
   
   **Job Summary**
   
   The Drug and Alcohol Compliance Technician I (DACT I) is responsible for conducting federally mandated and employer directed biological specimen collections and other medically related procedures and tests in connection with WMATA's drug and alcohol testing program. Performs technical, administrative, and confidential medical work in support of Occupational Health and Wellness' (OHAW) office of Drug and Alcohol Compliance. The DACT I is a skilled healthcare professional who maintains the confidentiality and security of all specimens and associated files in accordance with US Department of Transportation (DOT) and the US Health Insurance Portability Accountability Act (HIPAA); updates and maintains test records and works interdependently with other healthcare professionals to provide quality health services to WMATA's employees. The incumbent conducts medically related procedures and tests for WMATA's applicants and employees in connection with the Authority's Drug and Alcohol Compliance program. The DACT I has some latitude to exercise judgment within established Federal and WMATA and guidelines.
   
   **ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS**
   
   + Accurately and efficiently performs regulatory drug and alcohol testing procedures in accordance with DOT and WMATA regulations.
   
   + Immediately removes impaired and/or non-compliant persons from active service.
   
   + Maintains confidentiality and security of all drug and alcohol testing workspaces, specimens, records, equipment, and activities.
   
   + Coordinates scheduling of employees and applicants for WMATA required medical procedures.
   
   + Prepares applicants and employees for medical tests including but not limited to, venipuncture, urinalysis, and drug and alcohol specimen collections.
   
   + Examines all alcohol and drug testing equipment to ensure cleanliness and preparedness and assures that all necessary supplies and forms are readily available.
   
   + Performs machine calibration functions and executes quality assurance measures in order to ensure credibility of test(s) results. Maintains the collection site ensuring that bio-hazard waste is disposed of properly and keeps the facility in a clean and non-hazardous condition in compliance with US Occupational Safety & Health Act (OSHA) regulations
   
   + Ensures all required tests are accurately completed, documented, and secured appropriately.
   
   + Provides on-site administrative support of the Drug and Alcohol Compliance office as required but not limited to reviewing job codes for proper DOT classification, receiving, and managing documentation of all required testing, and maintaining testing records in accordance with FTA protocols and retention times.
   
   + Ensures each specimen collection site and affiliated workspaces are properly stocked and cleaned prior to and after each procedure.
   
   + Prepares employees and applicants for tests, completes all necessary forms, administers and operates a breath alcohol testing device (Evidential Breath Testing Device); ensures equipment is in proper operating condition at all times and periodically makes minor adjustments, etc. in cases of malfunction.
   
   + Provides guidance on specimen collection procedures and requirements, the consequences of non-compliance, and educational material on drug abuse prevention to employees and Metro management.
   
   + Ensures proper and legible labeling of specimens and observes all requirements of the chain of custody form; ensures the integrity of specimen custody and control.
   
   + Prepares, maintains, and updates all necessary documentation associated with the Authority's alcohol and drug testing program.
   
   + Operates automated data processing equipment to enter data, access files and to generate reports and data summaries.
   
   + Testifies as a subject matter expert in arbitrations and other legal proceedings, concerning test results and alcohol and drug test collections process.
   
   + Provides 24/7 collection services, including off-site collection sites, covering all locations and work shifts, including weekends, holidays, emergencies, and inclement weather.
   
   + Collects urine specimens and conducts drug and alcohol testing in compliance with DOT and US Federal Transit Administration (FTA) regulations and WMATA policy. Maintains confidentiality and professionalism in accordance with established protocol.
   
   + Maintains at least a Breath Alcohol Testing (BAT) Level D certification.
   
   + Works variable shifts, with little prior notice.
   
   **Evaluation Criteria**
   
   Consideration will be given to applicants whose resumes demonstrate the required education and experience. Applicants should include all relevant education and work experience.
   
   Evaluation criteria may include one or more of the following:
   
   + Skills and/or behavioral assessment
   
   + Personal interview
   
   + Verification of education and experience (including certifications and licenses)
   
   + Criminal Background Check (a criminal conviction is not an automatic bar to employment)
   
   + Medical examination including a drug and alcohol screening (for safety sensitive positions)
   
   + Review of a current motor vehicle report
   
   **Closing**
   
   WMATA is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other status protected by applicable federal law.
   
   This posting is an announcement of a vacant position under recruitment. It is not intended to replace the official job description. Job descriptions are available upon confirmation of an interview.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are a few common ways to find drug abuse technicians for your business:

   • Promoting internally or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to meet candidates with the right educational background.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to recruit passive job-seekers.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your drug abuse technician job on Zippia to find and recruit drug abuse technician candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   Your first interview with drug abuse technician candidates should focus on their interest in the role and background experience. As the hiring process goes on, you can learn more about how they'd fit into the company culture in later rounds of interviews.

   It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents. You can move on to the technical interview if a candidate is good enough for the next step.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new drug abuse technician

   Once you've found the drug abuse technician candidate you'd like to hire, it's time to write an offer letter. This should include an explicit job offer that includes the salary and the details of any other perks. Qualified candidates might be looking at multiple positions, so your offer must be competitive if you like the candidate. Also, be prepared for a negotiation stage, as candidates may way want to tweak the details of your initial offer. Once you've settled on these details, you can draft a contract to formalize your agreement.

   It's also good etiquette to follow up with applicants who don't get the job by sending them an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

   Once that's done, you can draft an onboarding schedule for the new drug abuse technician. Human Resources should complete Employee Action Forms and ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc. They should also ensure that new employee files are created for internal recordkeeping.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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