GETTING TO KNOW BY: ERIN CARBARY
Getting To Know Andrew Powell, Nursing Corps
1. How did you first get started in this industry? Actually, I got started in the business quite ac- cidentally. I was working
for a medical services company (NCI— Nursing Corps) when the concept of non-DOT drug testing was in its infancy (over 20 years ago). A laboratory ap- proached us to perform on-site urine collections to compliment the medical services that we were currently deliver- ing. Like so many companies at the time, we said “NO” because of the perceived liability and expected controversy. After a few months and some serious research we realized that with drug testing, we didn’t incur any different liability than with any other testing we currently per- formed. Not only was it a great ancillary service for our clients, but it also turned out to be a good revenue stream.
2. What first prompted you to join DATIA? In 1997, one of our lab representatives
told me what a dynamic and growing organization DATIA was. An industry group formed to share expertise and support stakeholders was exactly what we needed to continuously improve our service model. I attended the annual con- ference and there I found a group com- mitted to providing quality service and to driving the quality of the industry as a whole to new heights. The relationships and resources from DATIA have grown every year, and I recognize the positive impact that this has had on every facet of our work. DATIA participation, not
just membership, should be considered a necessary component to any quality/ customer driven service provider.
3. As part of the DATIA Board of Directors and Membership Committee—what do you feel is DATIA’s most important membership goal for 2012? Increasing membership participation
is absolutely the foundation for driving our mission to serve the industry. As an organization that is driven by our mem- bership, I believe that reaching out to other segments of the market (i.e. other trade associations, occupational health nurses, human resource professionals, chiropractors, etc.), in order to expand our umbrella and increase participation is key to achieving DATIA’s member- ship goal. By reaching out to these other segments that may benefit from our services, DATIA increases our influence with policy and lawmakers, thus making DATIA a stronger legislative influence.
4. Why do you feel it is important to attend DATIA’s Annual conference each year? The annual conference is very informa-
tive, and also affords you the opportunity to meet and mingle with experts from all aspects of the industry. The educational material and presentations are great to bring back and share with those that were not able to attend the conference. I have met vendors face-to-face and developed long-term mutually beneficial relation-
ships with them. Friends to call upon in our industry are strength and knowledge, and it’s the annual conference where friendships/support mechanisms are forged. Members should know that mak- ing one acquaintance at the conference can be more valuable than having access to all of DATIA’s written resources.
5. What would you characterize as the most important reason for drug and alcohol testing? Drug/alcohol testing improves the lives
of everybody! By driving the industry towards beter quality in every way, we make drug/alcohol testing beter so that it reaches everybody in the fair, objective, and consistent manner for which it was designed. Te readily apparent payoffs of testing are things like safety in the work- place. Working with industry, I have seen first-hand how drug and alcohol testing can improve a company’s safety record. As we have learned from DATIA’s recent effi- cacy study, drug testing reduces turnover, absenteeism, and improves productivity, but there is nothing more important than an individual’s health and well-being. It’s more difficult to see how testing is the impetus for individuals to address their drug/alcohol problems directly. More specifically, denial of drug/alcohol problems plaques those affected with the disease. When confronted with test results and employment consequences many hear the wake-up call that their disease has helped them ignore. It’s one more reason for them to seek help for themselves and their families.
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datia focus
spring 2012
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