Drug Testing

The UMass Amherst DI program does not perform drug testing on the students; however, many rotation sites do require a 10-panel drug test before a student is able to begin the rotation. Note: while marijuana is considered legal in the state of Massachusetts, it is still considered an illegal drug at the federal level. Therefore, facilities that accept Medicare (a federally run program) or facilities whose headquarters are in a state where marijuana is illegal, may refuse to allow a student who tests positive work at that facility. If you believe you may test positive for marijuana, notify the program director immediately, so that you may be placed in facilities that do not adhere to strict rules on this particular drug. However, there is no guarantee that a facility will waive a positive drug screen for marijuana or any illicit drug. Students should be aware of the potential impact on their ability for placement. It will not be the program director’s responsibility to find an alternative placement for a student if they have been denied one due to a positive drug screen.