Pharmacist Poison Center

Overview

UnityPoint-Poison Control Center

Full-Time ONSITE

Day/Evening Shifts & Every 3rd Weekend

Works under minimal supervision to respond to telephone inquiries from the general public, health care providers and others regarding poison and drug information; toxicity of drugs, chemicals, biologics, hazardous materials and other substances.  Analyzes potential toxicity, determines type and severity of exposure, and recommends treatment management plan and provides follow-up care.  Documents all calls and consultations on the Iowa Poison Control Center (IPCC) computerized medical record system. Preceptor for students, residents, and fellows of various healthcare disciplines. Growth opportunities available.

Why UnityPoint Health?

At UnityPoint Health, you matter. We’re proud to be recognized as a Top 150 Place to Work in Healthcare by Becker's Healthcare several years in a row for our commitment to our team members.  

Our competitive Total Rewards program offers benefits options that align with your needs and priorities, no matter what life stage you’re in.  Here are just a few:      

• Expect paid time off, parental leave, 401K matching and an employee recognition program.   

• Dental and health insurance, paid holidays, short and long-term disability and more. We even offer pet insurance for your four-legged family members.  

• Early access to earned wages with Daily Pay, tuition reimbursement to help further your career and adoption assistance to help you grow your family.   

With a collective goal to champion a culture of belonging where everyone feels valued and respected, we honor the ways people are unique and embrace what brings us together.   

And, we believe equipping you with support and development opportunities is a vital part of delivering an exceptional employment experience. 

Find a fulfilling career and make a difference with UnityPoint Health.

Responsibilities

Responsibilities:

Telephone Consultation and Data Collection

• Works under minimal supervision to provide clinical information and case management advice for telephone calls received by the Iowa Poison Control Center. Clinical oversight and medical directorship provided by physician medical toxicologists based at the University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics.
• Answers drug information questions if beyond the scope of knowledge of a RN Specialist in Poison Information (SPI).
• Obtains pertinent information from the caller to assess the seriousness of the situation and the caller's level of understanding/state of mind and independently determine whether the situation can be handled by the IPCC or whether the patient should be seen by a health care provider.
• Utilizes appropriate resources (Poisindex®, triage and clinical guidelines, reference books, on-call toxicologist) in the triage and management of poisoned/overdosed patients.
• Provides follow-up calls with callbacks as needed to ascertain patient status, symptom resolution, compliance with recommended therapy, and where appropriate, status after discharge.
• Delivers high quality care while demonstrating knowledge and skills of clinical toxicology in accordance with established policies, procedures and standards of care.
• Utilizes critical thinking in making independent judgments and maintains responsibility and accountability for the knowledge required to manage the wide variety of poisonings encountered.
• Promptly completes documentation to assure an accurate legal record of patient’s care utilizing the IPCC’s computerized medical record system.
• Assures data collected is compliant with National Poison Data System (NPDS) coding requirements and allows quality assurance review of information obtained and provided.
• Provides a high-level customer service at every level.
• Conduct daily peer case review and uses results of quality improvement activities to initiate change.

Certification

•    Successfully completes Certified Specialist in Poison Information (CSPI) examination after meeting eligibility criteria which occurs after approximately      12-15 months of employment.
•    CSPI certification must be renewed every seven years.
•    If desired, future growth opportunity for becoming a Diplomate of the American Board of Applied Toxicology (DABAT).

Public and Professional Education

• Participates in outreach education efforts.
• Preceptpharmacy students and residents and provide leadership and coordination of the daily operations of the experiential programs.
• Provide didactic lectures on poisoning/clinical toxicology topics to internal and external audiences.
• Evaluate the academic progress of pharmacy students and residents in didactic and practice settings.
• Writes and edits articles for monthly newsletter and may participatein research activities.
• Assists in orienting, training, instructing and/or supervising new staff and students.
• Prepares information for and attends required case review sessions, in-services and staff meetings.
• Assist IPCC Medical Director with the professional development of IPCC’s staff.

Qualifications

• Education: Graduate of an accredited School of Pharmacy with a PharmD degree
• Experience: Hospital experience considered. Experience in critical care or ER preferred.
• License/Cerfitication: Current licensure in good standing to practice as a Pharmacist in Iowa or able to obtain pharmacist licensure in Iowa. Valid driver’s license when driving any vehicle for work-related reasons.
• Knowledge/Skills/Abilities: Ability to multi-task. Demonstrate ability to quickly learn and interpret toxicology related information. Strong prioritizing and organizational skills. Critical thinking skills using independent judgment in making decisions. Excellent verbal and written communication skills. Ability to use computers and computer systems; the Internet and several simultaneous applications. Writes, reads, comprehends and speaks fluent English. Micromedex databases. Standard office, knowledge of Microsoft Windows PC environment. Computer literature search and basic data management skills. Ability to sit for long periods of time on the telephone in front of computer. Full use of upper extremities.