Specialist, Poison Information I or II - TDH Poison Center

*** This is an open-pooled position. Applicants' education/experience will be considered and the position may be filled at a lower or higher level, as appropriate.***

Must be willing to work all shifts. While there may be an opportunity for a hybrid work schedule, canddiates must be local and able to work on campus.

Poison Information Specialist I

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

Minimum Qualifications:

Advanced degree (MA, MS, PhD) in biomedical discipline with clinical experience OR a clinical degree (RN, PharmD, NP, PA, or MD/DO).

Preferred Qualifications:

Clinical Degree with RN, PharmD, NP, PA, or MD/DO that are registered and in good standing. (Strongly Preferred)

LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS OR CERTIFICATIONS

Required:

Must obtain within five years of hire/placement into role and maintain thereafter a current AAPCC – Certified Specialist in Poison Information (CSPI).

JOB DESCRIPTION

Serves as an information resource to provide health professionals and the public with information on poisonous substances including assessing emergency situations (triage), referring individuals to appropriate treatment sources, and documenting all interactions. Also conducts educational and research projects to ensure the poison center operations meets regulatory requirements and the needs of users.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Serves as a resource to health professionals and the public related to potential poisonings by answering inquires (telephone calls and or other forms of communication) by providing consultation to include accurate assessment, information, direction, and assistance for the Poison Center twenty-four hour statewide "hot line" and future forms of communication.
• Coordinates poison services, performs referral services, identification, makes diagnostic decisions, treatment, assessment and charting activities, conducts analysis, calculates patients’ toxicity level and performs follow-up communications. Maintains documentation and records and prepares reports. Ensures services meet Southeast Texas Poison Center (SETPC) and Texas Poison Center Network (TPCN) guidelines.
• Participates in triage of potentially suicidal individuals and contributes to successful resolutions.
• Provides timely follow-up communication to all potentially harmful exposures in accordance with department and/or TPCN policies, procedures or guidelines.
• Documents all communications with health professionals or the public concerning the potentially poisoned patient in order to fully document poison occurrences.
• Collects and documents poison information according to SETPC procedures/guidelines, standards of practice, and in compliance with the American Association of Poison Control Centers (AAPCC) standards.

Marginal or Periodic Functions:

• Assists in poison center research and education efforts.
  • Assists in toxicology research and poison center studies.
  • Assists in toxicology education efforts with university affiliates (e.g.: University of Texas Colleges of Pharmacy, University of Houston College of Pharmacy, and The University of Texas Medical Branch School of Medicine and Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences).
  • Assists in developing and directing necessary quality assurance efforts in all aspects of poison center services.

Poison Information Specialist II

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

Minimum Qualifications:

• Advanced degree (MA, MS, PhD) in biomedical discipline with clinical experience OR a clinical degree (RN, PharmD, NP, PA, or MD/DO).
• Must have minimum one year experience in a Poison Center and possess a CSPI certification.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Clinical Degree with RN, PharmD, NP, PA, or MD/DO that are registered and in good standing.

LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS OR CERTIFICATIONS

Required:

• Must have and maintain a current AAPCC – Certified Specialist in Poison Information (CSPI).

JOB DESCRIPTION

Serves as an advanced professional information resource to provide health professionals and the public with information on poisonous substances including assessing emergency situations (triage), referring individuals to appropriate treatment sources, and documenting all interactions. Also conducts educational and research projects to ensure the poison center operations meets regulatory requirements and the needs of users.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Serves as an advanced resource to health professionals and the public related to potential poisonings by answering inquires (telephone calls and or other forms of communication) by providing consultation to include accurate assessment, information, direction, and assistance for the Texas Poison Center twenty-four hour statewide "hot line" and future forms of communication.
• Coordinates poison services, performs referral services, identification, makes diagnostic decisions, treatment, assessment and charting activities, conducts analysis, calculates patients’ toxicity level and performs follow-up communication. Maintains documentation and records and prepares reports. Ensures services meet Southeast Texas Poison Center (SETPC) and Texas Poison Center Network (TPCN) guidelines.
• Consistently is a mentor for staff and actively promotes the development of all staff, students, and self.
  • Readily shares advanced knowledge and skills. Effectively presents information.
  • Proficiently exchanges feedback with peers and serves as a peer reviewer for performance appraisals.
  • Assumes preceptor role, providing supervision, assistance, instruction, and evaluation in orienting Specialists in Poison Information.
  • Participates in triage of potentially suicidal individuals and contributes to successful resolutions.
  • Provides timely follow-up communication to all potentially harmful exposures in accordance with department policies, procedures or guidelines.
  • Documents all communications with health professionals or the public concerning the potentially poisoned patient in order to fully document poison occurrences.
  • Collects and documents poison information according to SETPC procedures/guidelines, standards of practice, and in compliance with the American Association of Poison Control Centers (AAPCC) standards.

Marginal or Periodic Functions:

• Assists in poison center research and education efforts.
  • Assists in toxicology research and poison center studies.
  • Assists in toxicology education efforts with university affiliates (e.g.: University of Texas Colleges of Pharmacy, University of Houston College of Pharmacy, and The University of Texas Medical Branch School of Medicine and Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences).
  • Assists in developing and directing necessary quality assurance efforts in all aspects of poison center services.
• Actively participates on various committees (e.g.: Texas Association of Poison Control Centers, American Association of Poison Control Centers, American Association of Clinical Toxicologists) on a regular basis to provide communication and assistance, as needed, to staff members and other personnel.
• Actively in the development and collates necessary quality assurance efforts in all aspects of poison center services and reports quality assurance activities to the Director.
• Serves as a trainer and/or preceptor to newer staff member and rotating students.
• Prepares and conducts an in-service educational program for the assigned department, at least once per year.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT/EQUIPMENT

Standard office environment. Required to work rotating shifts including weekends. May require frequently lifting 25lbs; occasionally up to 30-35lbs. May be exposed to such occupational hazards as communicable diseases, bloodborne pathogens, ionizing & non-ionizing radiation, hazardous medications and disoriented or combative patients or others.