RN Poison Information Specialist

Job Description

Primary City/State:

Phoenix, Arizona

Department Name:

Work Shift:

Evening

Job Category:

Nursing

Great options and great opportunities. At Banner we are tapestry of cultures, and experiences. A workforce that is honored to serve, and support the community. If you’re looking to leverage your abilities – you belong at Banner Health.  

Whether it’s a scorpion sting, medication question, first aid advice or potential poisoning, the Banner Poison & Drug Information Center (BPDIC) in Phoenix Arizona is available 24/7 with comprehensive resources and services. Our AAPCC-certified poison center is a large and active center serving Maricopa county’s population of greater than 4 million residents. This BPDIC is located on the campus of Banner University Medical Center – Phoenix, a Magnet hospital and “Best Hospital” recognition in U.S. News and World Report. Our center is associated with an active inpatient toxicology service and fellowship program and participates with training nursing, pharmacy, and medical students. 

As an RN Poison Information Specialist , you will work with the team at the BPDIC located on the campus of Banner University Medical Center - Phoenix ( this is not a remote position ). You will be responsible for direct care and triage concerning poison exposures received via a 24-hour emergency telephone line. You will triage and provide accurate and complete management information directly to the public, physicians, nurses, pharmacists, emergency medical personnel, and other health care providers. When a poison exposure has occurred, you will be responsible for making a toxicological assessment, recommending a treatment plan, and providing necessary documentation and follow up to ensure a positive outcome.

This position is ideal for an RN with 3-5 years' clinical experience in the ED, ICU and/or a Poison Information Center, and interested in providing direct patient care through telehealth only (no bedside care). In this role, you will expand your knowledge and experience in toxicology, with community outreach opportunities, professional certification, national conferences, professional publications, and more. Incumbent must sit for the America’s Poison Centers Certified Specialist in Poison Information exam during the first qualifying exam cycle.

This is a full-time mid-shift position (32 hours/week) working 3:00pm - 11:30pm with a rotating weekends (required) . Your pay and benefits are important components of your journey at Banner Health. This opportunity includes the option to participate in a variety of health, financial, and security benefits. 

POSITION SUMMARY
This position is responsible for care and triage of poison exposures received via a 24-hour emergency telephone line. The incumbent triages and provides accurate and complete management information directly to the public, physicians, nurses, pharmacists, emergency medical personnel, and other health care providers. When a poison exposure has occurred, makes a toxicological assessment, recommends a treatment plan, and provides necessary documentation and follow up to ensure a positive outcome. This position also provides education to the public and other health professionals, participates in continuous quality improvement projects and serves as a liaison and resource between the Poison Center and pre-hospital caregivers and other health care providers.

CORE FUNCTIONS
1. Conducts accurate clinical assessments through patient care; develops, implements and evaluates the patient’s individualized plan of care; modifies plan to meet mutually agreed-upon clinical outcomes. Care is consistent with established policies, procedures, and standards of care (follows algorithms, decision trees, and guidelines in the delivery of patient care). Identifies the normal course of illness in assigned patient population recognizing and intervening when deviations occur. Accurately communicates patient information and thoroughly documents nursing actions and plan of care.

2. Shows respect for patient/family dignity and privacy in all interactions. Establishes and maintains mutual trust within the nurse-patient/family relationship. Listens and acknowledges patient/family knowledge of self and engages their participation in care. Provides for optimum comfort of patients and families utilizing standard evidence-based approaches. Able to successfully use multiple forms of communication to appropriately provide patient/family support. Supportive to new staff members and helps to facilitate their transition into unit. Demonstrates self-care to preserve one’s endurance as a care giver within a stressful environment.

3. Seeks opportunities for individual growth in diversity training and responsiveness. Identifies, implements, then documents a plan of care that is sensitive to the unique needs of the patients and families. Aware of the usual cultural norms for key patient population seeking validation in individual situations. Provides age specific and developmentally appropriate patient/family care. Embraces diversity in the work environment to achieve enhanced patient care outcomes.

4. Documents and codes all calls using an on-line data collection system following the coding requirements of the American Association of Poison Control Centers (AAPCC). Aware of current process improvement initiatives within one’s clinical setting. Identifies and takes personal accountability to systematically resolve patient/family problems within one’s clinical area. Stays informed of patient/family satisfaction results and incorporates behavior expectations to improve or maintain patient/family satisfaction scores. Implements identified appropriate evidenced-based practice changes and system improvements. Contributes to the spirit of inquiry by supporting the clinical research of colleagues.

5. Provides poison prevention education to the public and professional level toxicology education to peers and other health care professionals through lectures, medical toxicology research studies, participation in liaison programs, or other methods of knowledge delivery.

6. Serves as a resource to other staff members and promotes a collegiality between staff physicians and leaders. Participates in interdisciplinary healthcare teams to facilitate the integration of managed care concepts within the daily practice standards. Acts as a consultant within the organization and in the community.

7. Maintains professional and technical knowledge by attending educational workshops, reviewing professional publications, establishing personal networks, and participating in professional societies.

8. This position has regional responsibility for placement and coordination of care for patients. Internal customers include all levels of nursing leadership and staff, medical staff, and all other members of the interdisciplinary healthcare team. External customers may include patients and families, physicians, agency vendors and contracted services, staff from other health care agencies/providers and community/professional organizations and community and regulatory agencies.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Current licensure as a Registered Nurse in the state of Arizona (or compact state) required.

Minimum three to five years of recent clinical experience required; previous experience in a Critical Care Unit, Emergency Department and/or prior Poison Information Center experience.

May require American Association of Poison Control Centers (AAPCC) certification within 5 years of hire. Must re-certify on the required schedule of every seven years.

Ability to utilize tact and diplomacy in exchanging complex information in crisis.

Thorough history taking skills and the ability to perform basic mathematical functions.

Ability to prioritize incoming and follow-up phone calls and the ability to function effectively in stress-related situations required.

Clear and compassionate verbal and written skills and the ability to maintain patient/caller confidentiality required.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Bachelor's degree preferred. Professional certification preferred.

Additional related toxicology education and/or experience preferred.

EEO Statement:

EEO/Disabled/Veterans

Our organization supports a drug-free work environment.

Privacy Policy:

Privacy Policy