Poison Information Specialist (Night-Shift)

The University of Maryland School of Pharmacy (UMSOP), Department of Practice, Sciences, and Health Outcomes Research (P-SHOR) has an exciting opportunity for a Night Shift Poison Information Specialist (Specialist, Poison Control) to work within the Maryland Poison Center. 

Initial Training: Monday - Friday (9am - 5:00pm for approximately 8 weeks)

12-hour Shift Training: For approximately 24 weeks to 48 weeks

Regular Work Schedule: 9:30 pm - 7:30 am (7 days on, 7 days off) to start approximately 48 weeks to 52 weeks after initial onboarding.

The Night Shift Poison Information Specialist provides emergency poison triage and treatment information over the phone to all who contact the Maryland Poison Center. The successful candidate must have the ability to rapidly integrate large amounts of information and be able to identify likely causes for patients’ symptoms. The successful candidate must also demonstrate outstanding communication skills. Specialists have access available to resources in the Maryland Poison Center as well as other experts in toxicology, but most cases can be managed by the specialist.

PRIMARY DUTIES

• Provides emergency triage and treatment information over the phone and documents telephone interactions. Maintains thorough and accurate documentation of all poison exposure calls using the Poison Center's on-line data collection system. Uses computerized databases, textbooks, medical literature, consultants, and previous knowledge and experience to accurately assess each exposure case.
• Makes follow-up calls at appropriate intervals, determine if recommendations were followed and whether additional procedures area warranted. Provides additional information and assesses the outcome of exposure.
• Assists in providing comprehensive information to healthcare professionals regarding anticipated clinical course, diagnostic approach, interpretation of laboratory results, and appropriate invasive, supportive and antidotal treatment recommendations.
• Assists in identifying quality improvement process.
• Communicates with poison control team and/or management sharing observations and experience in managing poisonings.
• Participates in regional toxicology meetings, as encouraged.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education: Bachelor's degree in pharmacy or nursing. Master's degree in nursing or doctoral degree in pharmacy (Pharm.D.) preferred.

Experience: Bachelor's degree in nursing must possess three (3) years of related experience in an emergency department, poison control center, intensive or critical care unit, or operating room. Master's degree in nursing requires two (2) years of related experience. No experience required for Pharm.D.

Supervisory Experience: N/A.

Certification/Licensure: Current Maryland licensure in good standing to practice as a pharmacist or registered nurse. Must be able to obtain American Association Poison Control Center or Diplomate of the American Board of Toxicology Certification within two (2) years of joining the poison center.

Other: Weekend, holiday, rotating shift work, and on-call is required. Candidates selected for employment may be subject to medical inquiries and/or medical examinations to determine ability to perform the job. Employees in this job class may be subject to pre-employment and random drug testing. Clery act designated job as campus security authorities (CSA) member and will comply with Clery Act requirements.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Ability to effectively communicate with a wide range of people who may have a wide range of educational backgrounds.
• Ability to be flexible with work schedules.
• Solid understanding of pharmacology; solid understanding of medications, familiarity with common medication calculations (e.g., determining total mg/kg exposures based on patient information and history, doing basic percent calculations, etc.)
• Ability to work with computers and other computer-related technologies.