Specialist - Poison Control

Overview

Key Role Accountabilities

• In conjunction with the Manager and Director of the poison control center, the Specialist - Poison Control Center identifies operational and clinical improvements that may enhance poison center functions and efforts of the clinical toxicology service.
• Provides verbal and written sound clinical information and case management advice in response to emergency and informational telephone calls and consultations to the clinical toxicology service.
• Obtains pertinent and appropriate information from the caller in order to independently determine the seriousness of the poisoning incident and assess the caller’s level of understanding/state of mind.
• Based on the seriousness of the incident and the caller’s level of cognition, independently determines whether the poisoning incident can be handled by the poison control center or whether the poisoning victim should be seen by a health care provider.
• Answers caller inquiries with complete, concise, and relevant recommendations for action in terms that are appropriate to the calling party’s level of understanding.
• Initiates follow-up calls to assess patient status and alters case management recommendations as appropriate.
• Documents all calls and consultations on the poison control center’s computerized medical record system.
• For consultative cases, provides telephone and/or bedside management recommendations, as necessary. Conducts rounds and follow-up on consultative cases under oversight of supervising medical toxicologist.
• Precepts PharmD students, Pharmacy residents, emergency medicine residents, and any other trainees undergoing a toxicology rotation. Prepares and delivers lectures on poisoning topics to internal and external audiences.
• Participates in the educational courses provided by the poison control center and Section of Clinical Toxicology.
• Investigates case history, researches medical literature, and consults appropriate sources to provide informed and proper treatment and triage recommendations and develops protocols that are medically and economically appropriate.
• Develops and provides reference information regarding availability and toxicology of new drugs.
• Communicates with on-call staff concerning medical and toxicological-related issues.
• Prepares information for and attends conference meetings, in-service sessions, and staff meetings.
• May assist in orienting, training, instructing, and/or supervising new staff and students.
• Participates in on-going clinical research projects.
• Participates in outreach education efforts.

Education

Experience