A workplace drug and alcohol tester collects and tests samples from workers or other persons as part of an organisation’s workplace drug and alcohol management program. Depending on the testing program, this may involve breath testing for alcohol and collecting urine or oral-fluid samples for drug screening. The role is much more than simply operating a testing device. A competent tester needs to correctly identify the person being tested, explain the procedure, obtain and handle samples correctly, operate testing equipment, follow hygiene and infection-control procedures, accurately document results and maintain privacy and confidentiality.

Where a result requires laboratory confirmation, correct collection, labelling, sealing, storage and chain-of-custody procedures become particularly important. Workplace testing may be conducted as part of pre-employment screening, random testing, post-incident testing, reasonable-cause testing or an employer's broader workplace health and safety program. Drug and alcohol testing is used across many industries including mining, construction, transport, aviation, ports, resources and other safety-sensitive workplaces. This can make testing skills particularly useful for security officers looking to broaden their employment opportunities.

However, being a licensed security officer does not automatically qualify you to conduct workplace drug and alcohol testing. Testing is a separate skill requiring appropriate training and competency in the collection and testing procedures being performed. For a security professional, adding drug and alcohol testing skills can be another useful string to your bow – particularly if you are interested in gatehouse, access-control, mining, industrial or regional security work.