Poison Center Specialist

Provide informational assistance by telephone to health care professionals and consumers about poison exposures. Obtain complete histories, assess poisoning severity, and make appropriate treatment recommendations. Refer patients to health care facilities as necessary and contact health care providers to provide treatment recommendations for referred patients. Act as a clinical information resource by training and mentoring students and colleagues.

Required Qualifications: Poison Center Specialist

• Minimum of two years of nursing experience in a patient-care setting of which a minimum of one year is recent critical care nursing experience OR a minimum one-year experience working as a poison information provider/specialist in a poison center.

• Currently licensed as a Registered Nurse.

• Associate’s degree in nursing (ADN) or Nursing Diploma required (minimum qualification).

• Ability to perform prolonged mental concentration to read and gather information required.
• Skill in typing and use of computer required.
• Ability to perform complex math calculations required.
• Ability to communicate effectively with the public and health care professionals required.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule, including night, weekend, and holiday shifts as assigned required. 
• Required to take the American Association of Poison Control Centers Certification Exam for Specialists in Poison Information (CSPI) when eligible and required to pass the exam within three administrations after meeting the eligibility criteria.
• Maintenance of certification by successfully completing the CSPI examination every seven years required.
 

Preferred Qualifications: Poison Center Specialist

• Bachelor’s degree in nursing (BSN) or Master's of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree preferred.
• Certification as a Specialist in Poison Information by the American Association of Poison Control Centers preferred.