Poison Information Specialist Associate

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.

• 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.

EXPERIENCE:

• 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.  

LICENSES AND 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 three (3) attempts upon becoming eligible.

• 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.