"The MRO may be assisted by one or more staff. An MRO assistant performs administrative
functions and does not perform any portion of the interview between the MRO and donor. The
administrative functions typically include receipt and sorting of test forms, presenting non-
negative and fatally flawed files to the MRO for review, and distribution of reports to clients.
Some MRO assistants also call donors, confirm their identity, and then transfer the calls to the
MRO. Some MRO assistants are also involved in the corroboration of medical explanations
that donors may present to the MRO. An MRO assistant should be detail oriented, well
organized, and reliable.
Under the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) drug and alcohol testing procedures, the
MRO must supervise the MRO assistant. This supervision must include personal oversight of
that assistant's work; personal involvement in evaluating, hiring, and firing the assistant, line
authority over the assistant for decisions, direction, and control; and regular contact and
oversight concerning drug testing program matters. The MRO's supervision and control cannot
be superseded by or delegated to anyone else with respect to test result review and other
functions performed by the MRO assistant."
The Medical Review Officer's Manual: MROCC's Guide to Drug Testing, 3rd edition (OEM Press)
Copyright 2006
MROCC offers a credentialing program for well-qualified Medical Review Officer Assistants.
This is an online examination and is based on the MROA Competencies and 49 CFR Part 40 of
the Federal Register - the MRO Drug Testing rules put forth by the Department of
Transportation.