Indiana’s Rx/OTC & Fitness for Duty Program

1. Indiana’s Rx/OTC & Fitness for Duty Program Presented by: Vicky Warner RTAP Manager

2. Program Evolution • Lack of, or inconsistency in, response by transit systems to address Rx/OTC use or misuse in transit • Fitness for duty issues identified during statewide training programs • Increase in accidents/incidents

3. Program Evolution(continued) • Looked at other policies and programs • Original FTA Rx/OTC toolkit best practices, etc. • Started with basic Rx/OTC Medication policy based on a model policy and built FFD program around it • Added requirements to address physical examinations and evaluations, accident investigations, triggering events, etc.

4. Program Structure • State mandated • First of its kind • INDOT mandate for all Section 5311 providers • Program mandate added to State Management Plan • Can be expanded to urbanized transit systems

5. Program Structure (continued) • Fitness for Duty Program • Designated Fitness for Duty Officer (FFDO) to ensure program consistency with all transit providers • Consistent medical history established • Independent policy and forms specific to requirements of the job

6. Program Structure (continued) • Higher standard to ensure safety (CDL) • Required annual physicals for all safety sensitive staff • Qualifying accidents/incidents addressed • Includes Supplemental Rx/OTC Medication Policy and Procedures • Other Supplemental policies can be added as needed, e.g., policy on Fatigue

7. Program Structure (continued) • Nida 10+2 testing utilized • Designated Fitness for Duty Officer (FFDO) ensures program consistency among transit providers

8. Program Structure (continued) • FFDO services contracted via RFP process • Qualified vendors identified with experience in Fitness for Duty evaluations • Licensed physicians and physician-supervised nurse practitioners will conduct evaluations • Immediate notification of evaluation results with full written reports within 48 hours of evaluation • All communications confidential

9. Program Structure (continued) • Job assessment to determine qualifications for the program • Policy review to ensure compliance with ADA and HIPAA • Training • Expert testimony • Regionalized services will reduce travel costs and system down time • Single source

10. Program Benefits • Addresses safety • Reduces provider liability • Ensures employee ability to perform safety-sensitive functions • Single source for evaluations ensures consistency • Economies of scale/sharing costs among transit systems

11. ProgramConcerns • Impact on current workforce • Potential increased costs • Physical examinations • FFD evaluations • Non-FTA testing • Unemployment compensation

12. Questions?