IDTM Recruitment site

Below you find the steps of becoming a part of the IDTM doping collection team outlined.
One of the most important steps i to contact our Recruitment Manager, but first, please read this page.

Requirements to become a DCO

The basic requirement is a minimum age of 20 years. The DCO should also speak and write English with clarity. Knowledge of an additional language is an advantage, as is experience in anti-doping testing, educational activities or leadership.

No specific qualifications besides this are required, indeed personal attributes are what count. A DCO should be: a trouble-shooter, able to cope with stress, trustworthy, precise, outgoing, confidence-inspiring, a person with leadership skills, i.e. polite and friendly yet assertive.

DCOs must have a flexible schedule, since assignments are ordered on demand. It is not a fulltime job and most DCOs have regular jobs in addition to their IDTM obligations. The workload varies greatly depending on the tasks available in one's own region.

DCO education process

As a DCO applicant you will go through a various number of steps in our Education. Each step is evaluated by IDTM, and you need an official approval from us after every step to continue to the next education level.

Read this documentation

Before you contact us we want you to be somewhat familiar with the steps of the education and appreciate that you take the time to read this page as a first step.

Contact our Recruitment manager, Denis Pioline

Denis is the one who will guide you through the process and make sure you get the password and such to be able to continue.

Take our online DCO education

The first step is to complete a web-based introduction course and pass a final test to qualify for a formal application.

Apply formally

After the passed introduction course, you are asked to fill in a formal application. (We are mainly looking at your geographical location, your previous experience, and at your life situation). Your application will then be revived by IDTM, and we will inform you if you are qualified for a further interview.

Go through an interview with Denis

Most interviews are conducted over the phone or Skype due to geographical factors. The interview is followed by an evaluation of the candidate's suitability and our needs. IDTM makes a review after the interview, and you will be informed by e-mail if you are qualified for further education.

Take part in a seminar

The next step in the education process is a DCO seminar. We provide up to five training seminars a year. We endeavour to have two sessions in Sweden, and the remaining sessions at various locations around the world depending on where we need new DCOs.
During this seminar we undergo both practical and theoretical training: for example, we go through the sample collection process, the whereabouts system for locating athletes, planning missions, implementation of tests, moral issues, quality control, procedural guidelines and competition and out-of-competition testing.

Work as an assistant

While waiting for the seminar, there are also opportunities for recruits to assist a certified DCO on a mission. If you don't have the possibility to assist before the seminar, there will be given opportunity to assist after the seminar. All DCO applicants need to assist a certified DCO a few times (1-5 due to previous experience) before a practical exam and DCO certification.

Get certified by one of our experienced DCOs

The certification is based on a theoretical exam and a practical test, in which recruits are sent out with someone from IDTM or an experienced DCO who evaluates and certifies them. The exam is then reviewed by IDTM, and if the exam is correct, a contract is then signed with IDTM.

Receive order requests from IDTM HQ

After you have received the contract with IDTM you will get requests to perform sample collection. The amount and frequency of requests depends on many factors i.e. your location and the amount of tests wanted from our clients.

If you are interested in joining our team of Doping Control Officers (or if you have further questions about this job) please contact IDTM and our DCO Recruitment Manager through the contact link.

Educated blood drawers apply (not corrected or complete)

Requirements

To become a Blood Collection Officer you need to have some kind of certification to draw blood. You may be a nurse or a doctor for instance.
If you have that qualification IDTM will help you out with the education needed to become certified to do this work for doping control matters.

Read this documentation

Here is not a lot at the moment, but please read the documentation for becoming a DCO. You will always be working with an educated DCO and assist her/him with the part where blood drawing is required, so it's important that you understand their work as well.

Contact our Recruitment manager, Denis Pioline

Denis is the one who will guide you through the process.

The work of a Doping Control Officer (DCO)

Local DCOs are also able to find local competition venues and training facilities more easily, as well as athletes' homes. They have firsthand information on local concerns and knowledge of the country's infrastructure.

Those areas not covered because of an insufficient number of tests are serviced by DCOs on flying visits.

Doping control quality is dependent on the DCO's skill. Systematic recruitment and training of DCOs is crucial for securing good and consistent quality in operations. The process of recruiting, training, certifying and monitoring DCOs is part of our ISO-accredited program, and we are continuously identifying what sets a good DCO apart, to be able to further improve recruitment criteria.

The demands placed on DCOs are growing. The number of doping tests has increased and the focus has shifted, with larger emphasis on target testing, in which the candidate to be tested is determined beforehand. This requires the tracking down of individual athletes.

Furthermore, DCOs must be familiar with the differing procedures of each sports organisation, and between competition and out-of-competition tests. Although the new WADA code creates a unified testing system for all sports associations, specific rules will always exist.

Today, DCOs have more knowledge, education and responsibility than ever before. A new occupational category may even be created for DCOs.

The work of a Blood Collection Officer (DCO)

Here will follow a description of how it is to work as a BCO and what education and qualities we are looking for in an applicant.