Job Description

The Specialist - Poison Control Center works under minimal supervision to provide assessment, case management advice and follow-up care for emergency and instructional telephone calls received by the poison control center from the general public or health care professionals.

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 case 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.
• Adheres to Sidra’s standards as they appear in the Code of Conduct and Conflict of Interest policies
• Adheres to and promotes Sidra’s Values

In view of the evolving needs and opportunities within Sidra, this position may be required to perform other duties as assigned and reporting relationships may vary.

QUALIFICATIONS, EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS –ESSENTIAL CRITERIA

ESSENTIAL

Education

Clinical Pharmacist, PharmD degree.

Experience

• 7+ year’s relevant experience in an accredited Poison Control Center.

• Achievements in clinical care, research, education or administration.

• If no previous experience in a Poison Control Center, extensive experience working in acute care area department or critical care unit.

Certification and Licensure

Clinical pharmacist licensed in country of origin and Qatar

Job Specific Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of the clinical management of poisonings and operational characteristics of a poison control center.

• Ability to advice, train, and assess performance of clinical professionals and/or students within area of expertise.

• Ability to provide direct client services at the level of a certified poison information specialist.

• Ability to foster a cooperative work environment; Work under pressure and make clinical decisions with limited amounts of information

• Ability to clearly and concisely transmit information to all callers in high stressful situations is critical.

• Ability to assess the circumstances of a poisoning situation and function effectively to manage life-threatening exposures.

• Experience and skill using Toxicall database.

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to work effectively with a wide range of constituencies in a diverse community.

• Basic Proficiency with Microsoft Office suite

• Fluency in written and spoken English