You take a job with the Chicago Public Schools, and one of the first things you learn is that if you fail a drug test, you’ll be terminated immediately. That’s right. If you are fortunate enough to land a CPS job, there will be no probation period to see how things go. If you test positive for drugs after your initial screening, you will be fired on the spot. And there won’t be any second chances. In order to even apply for a position with CPS, potential employees must sign an agreement explicitly stating that they will be terminated in the event they test positive for drugs. CPS drug tests are stringent and thorough perhaps a little too much so in some cases but why such an extreme policy? It all comes down to safety and trust. As an employee of the Chicago Public Schools, your responsibilities directly impact children and their safety must always remain at the forefront of every decision made by staff members in support roles.
What Happens If You Pass A Cps Drug Test?
- You’ll be issued a CPS drug-free certificate.
- You’ll be given a copy of the CPS drug-testing policy and return to work.
- You are now subject to random drug testing, which will occur on an as-needed basis.
- If you fail any subsequent tests, you will be terminated immediately and without appeal.
- If you pass every test, your certificate will remain valid for one year from the date of issuance (by law).
- You must report any positive test results to your employer within five days of receiving notice from the laboratory that your sample tested positive for drugs (or if no notice is received by this time period, within five days of the date on which you receive actual notice).
Why Doesn’t Cps Just Require Random Drug Testing?
- It’s not a matter of “just” requiring random drug testing. CPS is required to follow the law.
- This would be an illegal search and violate the Fourth Amendment of the United States Constitution, as it does not fall under any of the exceptions to that amendment (i.e., probable cause, reasonable suspicion, etc.).
- CPS is required by law to have caused before administering a drug test; this is called “probable cause testing” and is a legal requirement for all government-run drug-testing programs in Illinois and throughout the country.
- Random testing can be construed as subjecting employees to illegal searches without probable cause or reasonable suspicion, which would violate their constitutional rights and open CPS up to liability or even lawsuits from employees who feel they are being treated unfairly or differently from one another.
What Are The Drugs That Cause Failing A Cps Drug Test?
- Drugs that will cause a CPS drug test to fail to include marijuana and its derivatives, cocaine, opiates (including heroin), amphetamines, and PCP.
- Although the list of drugs that may cause a CPS drug test to fail is not exhaustive, it is representative of the most commonly abused drugs in society.
- It is important to note that some over-the-counter medications may also cause a CPS drug test to fail; these include cold medicines containing pseudoephedrine and some prescription drugs such as Adderall and Ritalin (methylphenidate).
- Do not use any medication without first consulting your physician or pharmacist; these people are better equipped than anyone else to tell you if your medication will cause you to fail a CPS drug test!
How To Prepare For A Cps Job Interview
- You should always be prepared for a job interview.
- Interview questions can be tough, so you’ll need to do your homework.
- There are many resources available to help you prepare for a CPS interview, including the Internet and your local library.
- Here are some of the more common job interview questions and how you might answer them.
What Makes CPS So Special?
- The employees at CPS are special in that they care about kids and want to see them succeed in life; they also want to ensure that children are safe and secure while they’re with their families or in foster care.
- CPS employees work hard every day to ensure quality services for children, families, and the community at large; their motto is “What we do touches lives forever!”
- CPS employees are also special in that they have to be willing to deal with extremely difficult situations on a daily basis; they have to be strong, compassionate, and patient.
- CPS employees are also special in that they must be willing to work long hours and handle stressful situations without losing their cool or compromising their commitment to the children of the state of Illinois.
How Do I Become A Cps Worker?
- You can become a CPS worker by applying for a job opening with the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services or by applying directly with one of the many subcontractors who provide services for the agency, such as child care providers, foster parents, family preservation workers, social workers, and other professionals.
- You can find job openings online.
- You can also contact your local human resources office or visit www.statejobs.com to search for CPS job openings in your area; this is a centralized job site maintained by the state of Illinois, and it lists all of the state government’s current job openings, including those for CPS workers.
- You might also want to consider a career change into child welfare services since new workers are always needed in this field; you might be interested in becoming a social worker or a family preservation worker (who helps prevent child abuse and neglect), or perhaps you’re looking to become a foster parent (who provides temporary care for children who cannot live with their parents).
How To Safeguard Yourself Against Failing A Cps Drug Test
- If you are a CPS employee, you shouldn’t have to worry about failing a drug test because you’re not allowed to use drugs while on the job.
- If you’re applying for a job with CPS and anticipate taking a drug test as part of the hiring process, make sure that you don’t use illegal drugs in the weeks leading up to your test; if you do, it may show up in your urine or hair sample and disqualify you from getting the job.
- If you aren’t sure whether or not your employer will require that prospective employees take drug tests, contact the human resources department at your local CPS office and ask them about drug testing policies and procedures for prospective employees; if they don’t have any info on their website, call or stop by in person and ask someone there directly.
- If no one knows anything about any type of drug testing policy for prospective employees at CPS offices near where you live or work, visit www.statejobs.com (the state of Illinois site) to search for all of the state government’s current job openings; simply enter “child welfare services jobs” into their search box and press “enter/return” on your keyboard.
Final Thoughts
If you are currently using drugs, you cannot pass a CPS drug test. You will be caught, and your employment will be terminated immediately. If you’re serious about earning a job with the CPS, you must get clean before the drug test. The CPS drug test is actually pretty easy to pass if you know how to prepare for it. You can even use a detox drink to help you pass a drug test. The important thing, though, is that you avoid drugs while looking for a job with the CPS.