Comprehensive MRO (Medical Review Officer)

Toxicology Testing and the Physician's Role in the Prevention and Treatment of Substance Abuse

December 6-8, 2013 | Hyatt Regency Crystal City | Arlington, VA

MROCC Examination Date: December 8, 2013 – 2:00 – 5:00 p.m.  (Follows ASAM Course – MROCC Sign-Up Required)

Schedule for the December 6-8, 2013 Course will be announced shortly.  Review the 2012 MRO Brochure for more information.

2012 MRO Brochure

More than 20 million workplace drug test specimens are processed by certified laboratories every year. The results of these tests are reviewed and verified by more than nine thousand MROs. In so doing, MROs assume direct roles in the early intervention of destructive addictive pathways, the successful maintenance of ongoing treatment programs, and MROs help to assure the safety and well being of all. Training and experience in the area of workplace drug testing also provides expertise that can be used as the basis for Addiction Medicine Specialists to obtain another tool for their doctor's bags that can help them diagnose, treat and monitor the recovery of their patients. Whether a physician is certified in addiction medicine or in another medical specialty there is no more important and potentially life changing role a physician can play than the properly performed role of the MRO.

MRO is a complex and rapidly evolving area because of technical advances, regulatory changes, new patterns of abuse and the huge bank of knowledge gained from past years of experience. As it is for all physicians, staying up-to-date is a basic requirement for MROs. Additionally, Federal Regulations require MRO qualification and re-qualification training followed by certification and re-certification by a nationally recognized MRO Certification board every 5 years. ASAM's Comprehensive MRO Course works in tandem with the Medical Review Officer Certification Council (MROCC) to offer MROCC Certification and Re-certification Examinations. This assists physicians already involved in MRO practice as well as those new to the field to maintain the highest standards of knowledge, practice, certification, and compliance. For the convenience of course participants, ASAM and MROCC have coordinated their schedules to offer consecutive training and examination at selected locations.

Information from the Medical Review Officer Certification Council

Goals and Objectives

The course has been designed to present the most up-to-date scientific information, guidelines, and practical tips for MROs. Through a highly interactive mix of lectures and panel discussions, participants will have an opportunity to interact with experts in the field.

At the conclusion of the conference, participants should be able to:

• Identify the relevance of workplace drug testing to the larger issues of addiction and relapse in the workplace.
• Describe the latest on the interpretation of positive drug tests, split sample testing, alcohol testing, and review of invalid, adulterated, and substituted specimens.
• Discuss management of actual cases and learn how to respond to common questions from donors and employers.
• Discuss the latest on point of collection testing and on the testing of hair, oral fluids, and sweat.
• Be knowledgeable about SAMHSA Guidelines and DOT Regulations.
• Be aware of and have a basic familiarity with the larger world of non-DOT drug testing.
• Be aware of new patterns of abuse, new drugs of abuse and testing issues related to them .
• Understand the differences between drug testing programs, fit-for-duty programs, and monitoring programs.

* There is a separate application and fee for the MRO certification. Certification must be obtained through the MROCC office. For eligibility requirements and to register for the exam, please contact MROCC at 847-631-0599. MROCC reserves the right to cancel based on enrollment. Their web site address is www.mrocc.org.