Job Description

University of Utah Job Description

Job Summary

Works under minimal supervision to provide assessment, case management advice and follow-up care for emergency and instructional telephone calls received by the Utah Poison Control Center from the general public, health care professionals, public health, and University Staff and Students. Preceptor for PharmD students and provides didactic lectures at the College of Pharmacy.

Qualifications

This position requires licensure as a Pharmacist (or the ability to obtain a pharmacist licensure within 4 months of hire) in the State of Utah; current national certification as a Specialist in Poison Information or the ability to obtain the certification within 2 exam cycles; knowledge of human pathophysiology, clinical pharmacology and drug information; and demonstrated human relation, organization and effective communication skills.

Poison Information Specialist certification requires passing an examination. Eligibility for the exam requires licensure as a Pharmacist or Registered Nurse, working 2000 hours in a Poison Information Center and fielding 2000 poison exposure calls. Certification must be renewed every seven years.

Applicants must demonstrate the potential ability to perform the essential functions of the job as outlined in the position description.

This position is patient-sensitive and must fulfill all associated vaccination requirements, or be approved for an exemption, prior to the first day of work. We protect our patients, coworkers and community by requiring all patient-sensitive employees to be immunized according to CDC standards and hospital policy. Limited exemptions may be made for documented medical contraindications or religious beliefs that object to vaccinations.

Applicants must demonstrate the potential ability to perform the essential functions of the job as outlined in the position description.

Disclaimer

This job description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification.  It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities and qualifications required of employees assigned to the job.

Essential Functions

1. Provides verbal and written sound clinical information and case management advice in response to emergency and informational telephone calls.
2. 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.
3. 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 Utah Poison Control Center or whether the poisoning victim should be seen by a health care provider.
4. Answers caller inquiries with complete, concise and relevant recommendations for action in terms that are appropriate to the calling party’s level of understanding.
5. Initiates follow-up calls to assess patient status and alters case management recommendations as appropriate.
6. Documents all calls and consultations on the Utah Poison Control Center’s computerized medical record system.
7. Precept PharmD students and Pharmacy Practice residents. Prepares and delivers lectures on poisoning topics to internal and external audiences.
8. Participates in the Clinical Toxicology Course at the College of Pharmacy, University of Utah.
9. 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.
10. Develops and provides reference information regarding availability and toxicology of new drugs. Writes and edits articles for newsletters.
11. Communicates with on-call staff concerning medical and toxicological-related issues.
12. Prepares information for and attends case conference meetings, in-service sessions and staff meetings.
13. May assist in orienting, training, instructing and/or supervising new staff and students.
14. Conducts surveys on availability of antidotes in all Utah hospitals.
15. Participates in on-going clinical research projects.
16. Participates in outreach education efforts.

Problem Solving

This position will work under pressure and make clinical decisions with limited amounts of information.

This position involves working with telephone callers in emergency situations. The ability to clearly and concisely transmit information to all callers in highly stressful situations is critical. The incumbent must be able to assess the circumstances of a poisoning situation and function effectively to manage life-threatening exposures.

Comments

The Utah Poison Control Center operates 24 hours a day. Incumbents may be required to participate in a rotating shift schedule which includes night and weekends and/or may be required to take call.

The staff member must be able to demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age of the patients served on his or her assigned unit.  The individual must demonstrate knowledge of the principles of life span growth and development and the ability to assess data regarding the patient's status and provide care as described in the department's policies and procedures manual.