Who is designated as the Medical Review Officer (MRO)?

The Medical Review Officer (MRO) is typically designated as the Medical Examiner due to the responsibilities that come with this role. The MRO is a licensed physician responsible for receiving and reviewing laboratory results generated by the drug testing process; they play a critical role in interpreting those results, which includes determining if there are any underlying medical explanations for positive drug tests.

The connection between this role and the Medical Examiner is important as they both have the necessary medical training and expertise required to handle sensitive health information and to ensure compliance with legal and regulatory standards regarding substance use testing. This makes them uniquely qualified to serve as the MRO, as they have the authority and knowledge to accurately assess various medical conditions that may influence a drug test result.

In contrast, the Chief of Personnel, EAP Coordinator, and Third-party Contractor do not have the medical credentials or designated responsibilities under the drug testing protocols to act as the MRO. Their roles may involve oversight or support in personnel matters, employee assistance programs, or contractual obligations, but they do not possess the specialized training to interpret medical information in the context of drug testing and review overall implications of test results on employee health and fitness for duty.