**VA DRUG-FREE WORKPLACE PROGRAM**

**1. REASON FOR ISSUE:** This handbook provides departmental procedures
for our Drug-Free Workplace Program, and collection of urine specimens
for drug testing, transportation of specimens to the testing laboratory,
and submission of blind samples for the purpose of quality control.

**2. SUMMARY OF CONTENTS/MAJOR CHANGES:** This handbook contains policy
on the VA Drug ­Free Workplace Program. These changes to Appendix A of
Part I of this handbook clarify the relationship being carrying a
firearm and Testing Designated Positions. The changes will be
incorporated into the electronic version of VA Handbook 5383 that is
maintained on the [Office of Human Resources Management and Labor
Relations Web
site](http://vaww.va.gov/ohrm/Directives-Handbooks/Direct_Hand.htm).

**3. RESPONSIBLE OFFICE:** The Employee Relations and Performance
Management Service (051), Office of the Deputy Secretary for Human
Resources Management and Labor Relations.

**4. RELATED DIRECTIVE:** VA Directive 5383, VA Drug-Free Workplace
Program.

**5. RESCISSIONS:** None.

**CERTIFIED BY: BY DIRECTION OF THE SECRETARY**

**OF VETERANS AFFAIRS**

/s/Robert T. Howard /s/R. Allen Pittman

Senior Advisor to the Deputy Secretary Assistant Secretary for

Supervisor, Office of Information and Human Resources and Administration

Technology

ELECTRONIC DISTRIBUTION ONLY

**APPENDIX A. TESTING DESIGNATED POSITIONS**

1\. In accordance with criteria contained in Executive Order 12564,
positions listed in this appendix have been determined as \"sensitive\"
for drug testing purposes. VA employees in these positions will be
designated as subject to drug testing.

2\. Section 1 lists positions which the Secretary has determined involve
law enforcement, national security, the protection of life and property
public health or safety, or other functions requiring a high degree of
trust and confidence. All positions in the occupations listed are
covered by the random drug testing program.

3\. Section 2 lists Presidential Appointees in VA, whose positions,
according to Executive Order 12564, will be designated as sensitive.

4\. Section 3 lists additional positions which have been identified as
being subject to random testing because they have been designated as
Special/Critical Sensitive under 5 C.F.R. 732.201. Only those positions
which have the sensitivity level shown are included for random testing.

*[Note]{.underline}: the position statements which outline the reasons
that the positions are designated for testing are available for review
in local VA Human Resources Management offices.*

**Section 1.** The following lists positions which are subject to drug
testing because they involve law enforcement, national security, or the
protection of life and property, public health or safety. For ease of
reference, the listing has been divided into parts as follows:

a\. VHA positions authorized under Title 38, U.S.C., Chapters 73 and 74;

b\. General Schedule occupations (also includes positions in Title 38,
U.S.C., Sec. 7401(3));

c\. Federal Wage System occupations; and

d\. Key management positions

\[e. Employees that carry firearms on a daily or regular basis.\]

**Section 1a. VHA Positions Authorized Under Title 38 U.S.C., Chapters
73 and 74**

[Series]{.underline} [Title(s)]{.underline}

601 Expanded-Function Dental Auxiliary (EFDA) (Dental Assistant or
Dental Hygienist)

602 Physician (includes residents, osteopaths, clinical investigators,
medical investigators, and research associates)

603 Physician Assistant

604 Chiropractor

605 Nurse Anesthetist

610 Registered Nurse

668 Podiatrist

680 Dentist (includes residents and medical investigators)

**Section 1b. General Schedule Occupations** (This section includes
positions listed in Title 38 U.S.C., Sec. 7401(3))

[Series]{.underline} [Title(s)]{.underline}

GS-081 Firefighter/Fire Protector

GS-083 Police Officer/Detective

GS-085 Guard

GS-101 Coordinator, Alcohol/Drug Treatment Program

GS-101/102 Readjustment Counseling
Manager/Specialist/Technician/Assistant/Addiction Specialist

GS-180 Psychologist

GS-401 Hematologist, Histologist, Biologist, Research Biologist

GS-403 Microbiologist/Research Microbiologist

GS-405 Pharmacologist/Toxicologist

GS-601 Histotechnologist, Cytotechnologist

GS-601 Nuclear Medicine Technologist

GS-601 Registered Respiratory Therapist

GS-610 Occupational Health Nurse

GS-620 Licensed Practical Nurse

GS-621 Nursing Assistant

GS-622 Medical Supply Technician/Aid

GS-633 Physical Therapist

GS-640 Certified Respiratory Therapy Technician

GS-640 Health Technician

GS-642 Nuclear Medicine Technician

GS-644 Medical Technologist

GS-645 Medical Technician

GS-646 Histopathology/Cytology/Pathology Technician\
GS-647 Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist/Technician

GS-648 Therapeutic Radiologic Technologist/Technician

GS-649 Cardiac Catheterization Technician

GS-649 Electrocardiograph Technician

GS-649 Electroencephalograph Technician

GS-649 Heart-Lung Machine Technician

GS-649 Hemodialysis Technician

GS-649 Hyperbaric Chamber Technician

GS-649 Medical Machine Aid

GS-649 Medical Machine Technician

GS-649 Pulmonary Function Technician

GS-651 Respiratory Therapist

GS-660 Pharmacist

GS-661 Pharmacy Technician

GS-681 Dental Assistant

GS-682 Dental Hygienist

\[GS-1811 Crimnal Investigators\]

GS-802 Biomedical Engineering Technician

GS-858 Clinical/Biomedical Engineer

GS-1306 Health Physicist

GS-1320 Chemist

**Section 1c. Federal Wage System Occupations**

[Series]{.underline} [Title(s)]{.underline}

WG-4805 Medical Equipment Repairer

WG-5703 Motor Vehicle Operator

WG-5823 Automotive Mechanic

**Section 1d. Key Management Positions**

a\. All Senior Executive Service (SES) Employees

b\. The following positions are subject to drug testing only if the
incumbent is required to have a top secret or secret security clearance
and/or has direct patient care responsibilities (e.g., Chiefs, Nursing
Service are included because Registered Nurses are subject to drug
testing (see Section 1.a. of this Appendix)):

Non-SES Directors

Associate Directors and Assistant Directors of all VA field facilities

VHA Service Chiefs

VBA Division Chiefs

Regional Counsels

GS-15 positions in VA Central Office

\[**Section 1e. Employees That Carry Firearms**

Employees who carry firearms on a daily or regular basis are subject to
drug testing. An employee is not subject to drug testing if he or she is
authorized to carry a firearm, but does not carry one on a daily or
regular basis.\]

**Section 2. Presidential Appointees**

Presidential Appointees in VA are as follows ([Note]{.underline}: in
accordance with Executive Order 12564, these are drug testing designated
positions):

Secretary

Deputy Secretary

Inspector General

General Counsel

Under Secretary for Health

Under Secretary for Benefits

Under Secretary for Memorial Affairs

Chairman, Board of Veterans\' Appeals

Assistant Secretary for Management

Assistant Secretary for Policy and Planning

Assistant Secretary for Human Resources and Administration

Assistant Secretary for Public and Intergovernmental Affairs

Assistant Secretary for Congressional Affairs