The University of Pittsburgh School of Nursing is aware of the confusion surrounding mandatory clinical requirements for students with our clinical partners, Allegheny Health Network (AHN) and UPMC. Effective the Fall 2023 term, students must submit a urine drug screening before the start of their clinical term.
Students assigned to clinicals at a UPMC facility are now required to undergo a 5-panel drug test (amphetamines, cocaine, marijuana, opiates, and PCP), while students assigned to clinicals at an AHN facility will now undergo a 9-panel drug test (cocaine, opiates, amphetamine, phencyclidine, barbiturates, oxycodone, benzodiazepines, methamphetamine, and methadone).
Students are responsible for the cost of their drug tests. These requirements are mandatory and were established by each medical facility. If a urine drug test yields positive results, the clinical agency will conduct a further evaluation.
For more information, please refer to the frequently asked questions (FAQ) below. Any additional questions may be directed to Jen Larson, Clinical Placement Administrator, by email jal312@pitt.edu, or by phone at 412-624-6082.
- Why am I required to take a urine drug screening test?
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UPMC and Allegheny Health Network have both changed their mandatory clinical requirements ahead of the Fall 2023 term. Students must now submit a urine drug screening for those mandatory clinical requirements.
- Who is responsible for paying for the test?
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Students are responsible for the cost of their tests. Students will need to pay out of pocket or submit the cost of the screening to their insurance for payment.
- When am I expected to get tested?
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Students are expected to get tested at least a week before the start of their clinical term.
- Does UPMC accept my employee drug screen certificate?
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Yes.
- What is being tested?
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If a student is assigned clinicals at a UPMC facility, they will undergo a 5-panel screen for: Amphetamines, Cocaine, Marijuana, Opiates, and PCP
If a student is assigned clinicals at AHN facility, they will undergo a 9-panel screen for: Cocaine, Opiates, Amphetamines, Phencyclidine, Barbiturates, Oxycodone, Benzodiazepines, Methamphetamine, and Methadone
- Where do I go to get tested?
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Students can use any agency for the drug test and are encouraged to select their providers carefully.
However, if they plan to have the screening done by Quest Diagnostic in the Pittsburgh area, they will require a script from a health provider. Students can obtain the required script from the University of Pittsburgh Student Health Services by calling 412-383-1800.
When you call, follow the instructions below:
- Select the appropriate prompt to request a prescription for their required urine drug screen. There will be only two choices - AHN or UPMC.
- A student’s clinical instructor should share the facility to which the student has been assigned. Please contact the instructor before calling Student Health Services if the student does not know their clinical site assignment.
- A student’s clinical instructor should share the facility to which the student has been assigned. Please contact the instructor before calling Student Health Services if the student does not know their clinical site assignment.
- Provide FIRST and LAST NAME (with spelling), PeopleSoft number, date of birth, and what type of drug screen their rotation requires.
- If a student is assigned at a UPMC facility, they will share that they need a screening for: Amphetamines, Cocaine, Marijuana, Opiates, PCP
- If a student is assigned at an AHN facility, they will share that they need a screening for: Cocaine, Opiates, Amphetamines, Phencyclidine, Barbiturates, Oxycodone, Benzodiazepines, Methamphetamine, Methadone
- . Students will receive a secure email message through the Student Health Patient Portal with a prescription (script) to print and take to a local Quest Diagnostics lab.
- Select the appropriate prompt to request a prescription for their required urine drug screen. There will be only two choices - AHN or UPMC.
- What do I do with my test results?
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Students are responsible for accessing their results and posting the drug screen test results in Project Concert.
- How long does it take to receive my results?
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Results vary per testing agency. Students are encouraged to start the drug screening process as soon as possible. No students will be permitted into clinical until requirements are met.
- What happens if my results are positive?
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If the urine drug tests are positive, the results will be submitted to the clinical agency who will conduct a further evaluation.
- What if I have a medical marijuana card?
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Medical marijuana cards are handled on a case-by-case basis by AHN and UPMC.
- How many times will I need to be tested?
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Students are required to be tested once as part of their program, unless otherwise noted.
- Can UPMC and AHN tests be used interchangeably?
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No. Since the tests are different, students will have to complete separate screenings to fulfill the clinical requirement if assigned to both sites.