Poison Information Specialist

Under direct supervision, responsible for providing professional toxicological expertise to the public and healthcare professional callers in assisting with the management or prevention of poison emergencies.

Responsibilities

• Provides professional poison control informational services by analyzing potential toxicity, determining type and severity of exposure, and recommending a treatment management plan.
• Provides information to healthcare professional callers treating a poisoned patient regarding anticipated clinical course, diagnostic approach, interpretation of laboratory results, and appropriate invasive, supportive, and antidotal treatment recommendations.
• Provides emergency medical assistance, case evaluation/management and triage recommendations for regional poisoning problems.
• Participates in poison prevention educational programs including educating the community and healthcare professionals on poisoning prevention, drug trends and treatment recommendations.
• Participates in research activities comprising of publications of research abstracts and journal articles.
• Serves on various subcommittees aimed at increasing efficiency, performance, and quality of poison control as assigned.
• Performs all other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Ability to handle potentially difficult situations with successful outcomes.
• Strong problem-solving skills.
• Interpersonal skills necessary to successfully communicate with individuals of multi-cultural and educational backgrounds.
• Ability to formulate patient management plans for poisoned patients utilizing computer and text resources, and to interpret locate and interpret primary medical literature.

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in Nursing, Pharmacy, or related field of study is required.
• PhD in Pharmacy is preferred.

Experience:

• One (1) year of directly related experience is required. No previous experience required for graduates of an accredited school of Pharmacy, Nursing or Medicine with an advanced degree (PHARM.D, ARNP, MD, PA, etc.) is required.
• Experience in emergency medicine is preferred.

Additional Licenses/Certifications:

• Registered nurse, pharmacist, physician, licensed physician’s assistant, or previously certified specialist in poison information; or equivalent combination of education, experience and/or license is required.
• Must successfully complete the Specialist in Poison Information Certification from the American Association of Poison Control Centers within two (2) attempts upon becoming eligible.