When you see NZQA qualifications you automatically think yes, everyone is trained to be competent and at the same standard.

This is not the case, when the majority in the industry has no experience or little knowledge this then sets the standard and then becomes the industry norm, with pricing dictating quality and competency.

The drug testing industry is still very young in New Zealand and over the last 10 years we have seen a growth in company’s doing their own testing and other companies starting up, competition is always good but not all are equal. When health and safety is at risk compromise cannot be substituted for cost, with the donors now knowing more in regards to their rights than most of the technicians doing the testing, its time to lift the bar.

This has created a new industry in training and product sales and often the line between these are blurred with the training designed as a sales pitch on selling their own product, losing focus on best practice, and the standards being overlooked or misinformation given, many individuals after completing the course thinking that they have achieved these qualifications and that they will be now testing to the AS/NZ 4308:2008 standard.

When looking at achieving NZQA qualifications in drug testing or if you have them, ask the trainer or provider some questions.

What qualifications do they have or what makes them an expert in this field?

Being on the standards board or committee does not necessarily make you an expert, the committee is made up of scientist’s (great for cut of levels or lab testing), union delegates or other unrelated industry’s and a lot of end providers (sellers of product or training), hardly any, if any, have experience with onsite collection or the process around this or understanding of the standards and what the desired outcome of the course should be. This is also evident when looking at policy’s developed by these individuals, who once again, are out of their expertise and you should contact the expert in these fields (employment lawyers, EMA)

Does the course cover all of the 4308 standards?

The NZQA qualifications are to insure that the collection and screening are done in accordance with the 4308 standards at an evidential level , the standard is the reason these qualifications exist, this means that controls need to be covered, not on batches but daily controls every time testing is conducted, also after every 25 tests completed that day with other circumstances also around this, an external proficiency program needs to be done and most important IANZ (International Accreditation of New Zealand) in NZ and NATA (National Association of Testing Authorities) in Australia, accreditation is essential not a “if you want to”, these are normally left out of a lot of courses due to the lack of knowledge, insufficient time allowed, or to push the sale of product.

Once all of this is done, then you are testing to the standard, something most trainers forget to inform you of.

 

What are the risks of not testing to the standard?

If you are not testing to the standard the donor may have a valid reason to refuse the test, I would.

If it is a positive test and it goes to disciplinary matters, and you are not testing to the standard, the test will not be recognised and the integrity of the test will be questioned, this in itself can be very costly. Refer to case law.

The lack of quality control, the individuals selling these products under the standard have no duty to insure their devices are working when they are delivered, this means that the devices are subject to uncontrolled temperatures, and with no requirement for any quality control upon arrival or departure of the suppliers, this means that companies or individuals may be using faulty devices without any knowledge, and not having any effect in identifying risks within the workplace, this could have dire consequences.

 How long should this course take ?

Each unit has an allocated time attached to it, this has some flexibility with cross over units and pre course material and prior knowledge.

Unit numbers 25511 equals 4 units at level 4- each unit equates to 10 hrs

25458 equals 2 units at level 3

But all of the 4308 standards regarding testing should be covered and competent in testing, having someone show you how to use the device does not make you competent.

 

Do I need a Refresher ?

In regards to the NZQA qualifications in themselves the answer is no, as part of IANZ and maintaining IANZ an annual competency test is a requirement, so if you are looking at refreshers insure that the course has been IANZ approved for best practice.

 

What can I do ?

When it is cheaper and less time consuming to go to another provider than delivering in house training, you have to question the practices being taught, with health and safety at the forefront of everybody’s mind it is important that Drug and Alcohol testing does not become a ticking the box exercise.  Even the NZQA/Skills are struggling to police the standards, so insure your training is by a reputable ITO and the trainer is qualified on the subject, do not pick bits out of the standard and ignore other parts. When a death occurs it is too late.