Specialist in Poison Information

The Louisiana Poison Center (LPC) is recruiting for a Specialist in Poison Information (SPI).  You will join a team of Certified Specialists in Poison Information (CSPI). The LPC SPI’s and CSPI’s answer calls to the 800 emergency hotline from the public and from healthcare professionals in Louisiana.  A SPI is responsible for providing medical management recommendations relating to human poison exposures and drug overdoses. The poison center has board certified MD medical toxicologists who are consulted when necessary. Training in medical and clinical toxicology will be provided.

The Louisiana Poison has maintained accreditation as a Regional Poison Center by the American Association of Poison Control Centers since 1994. The center is a part of the Department of Emergency Medicine at LSU Health in Shreveport.

Regular attendance is required to perform the functions of this position.  The Poison Center is open 24 / 7, the work hours are 12 hours shifts. Specialists work fourteen 12-hour shifts per month. Call volume is greatest during the evening hours.  More shifts will be evenings.  Occasional night shifts will be required.  Additional compensation (shift differential) for working evening and overnight times is available. Lunch and dinner breaks are dictated by workflow.  Incumbent will maintain a customer-oriented awareness in acknowledging and responding to the needs as they occur to ensure that patient satisfaction is always met.  

Essential Job Functions:

95%

Responsible for providing medical management information relating to poisoning cases and providing poison and other types of information to people calling the Louisiana Poison Control Center. Training in clinical toxicology will be provided.  Incumbent must satisfactorily complete the training program approved by the Managing Director and Medical Director, and through this training program and the execution of normal job duties progress toward certification as a Certified Specialist in Poison Information as designated by the American Association of Poison Control Centers.

Specialists are expected to attend and participate in additional continuing education programs, including didactic presentations and required reading. Specialists must maintain superior computer and database utilization skills to function efficiently in that role. Specialists will enter accurate and appropriate data for each case record into the Centers chosen database system. Specialist will perform follow-up calls and consultation on cases where appropriate and participate in quality improvement functions within the Center. Specialists will assist in data collection for special projects. Specialists should make recommendations to management to increase operational efficiency. Specialists are expected to make efforts to increase their knowledge of toxicology to enhance their ability to perform their duties as a poison specialist. This may include but is not limited to participation in research projects and compiling data to present research abstracts and papers at state, regional, and national meetings. While performing duties as a poison specialist, no other activities may be undertaken. Make recommendations for operational efficiency so that the Poison Control Center is viewed as establishing the medical "Standard of Care" for the community.

Marginal Functions

5%

Performs other related duties and responsibilities as assigned.

The applicant must meet one of the following:

• A licensed RN with a baccalaureate degree, associate degree, or three-year diploma. Must be licensed in Louisiana.
• A licensed Pharmacist (RPh or PharmD). Must be licensed in Louisiana.
• Minimum of 3 years practice experience preferred. For a RN candidate emergency department or ICU experience is preferred.

PSN/PER Number: PSN 60059/PER 3769

Salary Range: $78,000 - $84,000  

Primary Location: Shreveport, LA (On-Site)

The LSU Systems Office has provided LSU Health-Shreveport employees with excellent benefit options designed with you and your dependents in mind. Our Benefits Section is available between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, to help answer any questions you might have about these benefits.

• Salary is commensurate with experience and training
• Generous Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance
• Life Insurance
• Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Accidental Death & Dismemberment Insurance
• Flexible Spending Account
• Optional Retirement Plans

LSU Health is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

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