Specialist of Poison Information - Nurse or Pharmacist

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A Brief Overview
Through direct telephone consultation, provides logical and concise evaluations of potential poisonings and treatment recommendations to the lay public and/or health care professionals, utilizing standard poison information resources. This is a pre-certified Poison Information Specialist position and requires one to undergo extensive training program. Usually operates under general guidance and direction.

What you will do

• Poisoning Management
• Triages all incoming calls within 5 rings and does not put callers on hold until at least initial triage is performed.
• Assesses human poisoning exposures by telephone consultation from the public and health care professionals. Provides information regarding animal poisonings when such information is available to the specialist or refers the caller to the National Animal Poison Control Center for management advice.
• Obtains a complete history on poisoning emergency, information and follow-up calls.
• Provides the caller with a calm evaluation of the incident and makes complete, concise and relevant recommendations for therapy.
• Demonstrates a courteous, reassuring and helpful manner during interactions with callers. Disengages politely from callers, particularly those who are seeking information not applicable to the services of Poison Control.
• Obtains information regarding the substance(s) involved in an exposure, route of exposure, mode and time of exposure, the patient's medical history (when appropriate) and current condition.
• Utilizes Poison Control Center (PCC) information resources, including but not limited to, the Micromedex database, to provide accurate and timely information regarding poisoned patients.
• Utilizes PCC on-call toxicologists per PCC protocol
• Follows current PCC protocols 100% of the time.
• Determines the need for immediate evaluation at a health care facility. Refers callers to 911 if needed.
• 1. Obtains patient information and destination (name of nearest healthcare facility); contacts hospital emergency room triage nurse or physician with available data: patient information, history of exposure and treatment recommendations.
• 2. Provides intervention as needed for follow-ups on hospitalized poisoned patients until patient is medically cleared or toxicology-related concerns have resolved.
• Data Collection and Documentation
• Completes a Toxicall chart for every call received.
• The patient information section of every chart is to be completed immediately upon receiving the call. Obtains name and telephone number of caller and patient when possible (documents if unable to obtain).
• The history section of every chart is to be accurately completed as soon as the case is managed and no later than end of shift.
• Organizes case information clearly and in "SOAP" format so subsequent staff will easily understand a given case in sufficient detail.
• Documents all required information for each poisoning exposure in the notes section of the TESS form by including all of the following: history, symptoms, calculations/ingredients, assessment and plan.
• Codes all TESS-related information accurately and completely with each chart entry. The specialist closing a chart must verify that this has been done and is responsible for the accuracy and completeness of the TESS coding.
• The degree and frequency of follow-ups is at the discretion of the specialist, except in instances where there is a specific PCC follow-up protocol set.
• Is aware of and adheres to HIPAA regulations as applicable to The Poison Control Center.
• Professional Development
• Attends and participates in all staff meetings. Minimum attendance requirement is 70% of all staff meetings and will be reflected in the specialist's annual evaluation.
• Participates in on-going continuing education. Learning opportunities include PCC in-services, case conferences, local/regional toxicology meetings, and other approved continuing education programs.

Education Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in a related field (RN or Pharmacist) Required

Experience Qualifications

• Clinical experience in a hospital setting Preferred
• Telephone triage experience Preferred

Skills and Abilities

• None.

Licenses and Certifications

• Licensed Pharmacist (Pennsylvania) - Pennsylvania State Licensing Board - within 3 months - Required or
• Registered Nurse (Pennsylvania) - Pennsylvania State Licensing Board - within 3 months - Required

To carry out its mission, CHOP is committed to supporting the health of our patients, families, workforce, and global community. As a condition of employment, CHOP employees who work in patient care buildings or who have patient facing responsibilities must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and receive an annual influenza vaccine. Learn more.

Employees may request exemptions for valid religious and medical reasons. Start dates may be delayed until candidates are immunized or exemption requests are reviewed.

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