Registered Nurse Rn Poison Information Specialist

Primary City/State:

Phoenix, Arizona

Department Name:

Poison Center-Hosp

Work Shift:

Night

Job Category:

NursingUniversity Medical Center Phoenix Banner - University Medical Center Phoenix is a nationally recognized academic medical center. The world-class hospital is focused on coordinated clinical care, expanded research activities and nurturing future generations of highly trained medical professionals. Our commitment to nursing excellence has enabled us to achieve Magnet™ recognition by the American Nurses Credentialing Center. The Phoenix campus, long known for excellent patient care, has over 730 licensed beds, a number of unique specialty units and is the new home for medical discoveries, thanks to our collaboration with the University of Arizona College of Medicine - Phoenix. Additionally, the campus responsibilities include fully integrated multi-specialty and sub-specialty clinics, and with a new $400 million campus investment, a new patient tower and 2 new clinic buildings will be built.

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.

Basic Life Support (BLS) certification is required; must recertify every 2 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.

EOE/Female/Minority/Disability/Veterans

Our organization supports a drug-free work environment.

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