Poison Control Specialist

About the role

The Poison Control Specialist works under minimal supervision to assess, manage, and follow‑up emergency and informational telephone calls received by the poison control center from the public or health‑care professionals. The role provides clinical toxicology advice, determines the seriousness of poisoning incidents, and ensures appropriate follow‑up care.

Key responsibilities

• Identify operational and clinical improvements to enhance poison center functions.
• Provide verbal and written clinical information and case‑management advice for emergency and informational calls.
• Obtain pertinent information from callers, assess seriousness, and decide on the need for health‑care provider involvement.
• Deliver concise, appropriate recommendations and initiate follow‑up calls to reassess patient status.
• Document all interactions in the computerized medical record system.
• Offer bedside management recommendations and conduct rounds under a supervising medical toxicologist.
• Precept PharmD students, pharmacy residents, emergency medicine residents, and other trainees.
• Prepare and deliver lectures on poisoning topics to internal and external audiences.
• Research case histories, medical literature, and develop medically and economically appropriate protocols.
• Provide reference information on new drug toxicology and communicate with on‑call staff.
• Participate in educational courses, clinical research projects, outreach education, and staff meetings.

Required profile

• Clinical pharmacist holding a PharmD degree.
• 5–7 years of relevant experience in an accredited poison control center or acute/critical care setting.
• Ability to work independently, make sound clinical judgments, and communicate clearly with diverse callers.
• Experience in teaching, precepting, and delivering educational presentations.

Required skills

• Clinical toxicology expertise.
• Poison control assessment and case‑management.
• Use of computerized medical record systems.
• Protocol development and medical literature research.
• Teaching and lecture delivery.