Specialist in Poisons Information

Sydney-Childrens-Hospital-Network; Sydney; On-site; AUD 122,000 - 129,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible work opportunities

Salary packaging

Accrued days off

Fitness passport

EAP

Job summary

The Sydney Children's Hospitals Network is seeking 1 or more pharmacists to join the NSW Poisons Information Centre (NSWPIC) as SPI trainees and specialists. The role focuses on poison information, risk assessment, first aid and clinical management across adults and children.

On-site work is required during initial training with flexible remote options later; you will contribute to a 24/7 roster and advance to specialist education, with opportunities to collaborate with clinical toxicologists.

Qualifications

• Full (or eligible for full) registration as a pharmacist with AHPRA.
• Demonstrated recent clinical pharmacy experience.
• Proven expertise in drug information and toxicology.
• Strong communication with patients and health professionals.

Responsibilities

• Provide poison information to health professionals and the public.
• Risk assessment, first aid and clinical management of poisoning incidents.
• Contribute to 24/7 Poisons Information Centre roster and education.

Skills

AHPRA-registered

Clinical pharmacy

Drug information

Excellent communication

Education

Bachelor of Pharmacy (or equivalent)

Pharmacist registration eligible

Job description

Employment Type

TemporaryFull-Time and Part-Time Opportunities Available up to 21 September 2027. This position is full time; however, part time/job share arrangements may also be considered.

Position Classification

Pharmacist Gde 2

Remuneration

121581.81 - 128898.29 full-time equivalent base salary range (+12% super + 17.5% leave loading and salary packaging)

Hours Per Week

up to 38

Requisition ID

REQ693597

Location

Westmead

Applications Close

Midnight on 27 September 2026

Contact Information

For role related queries or questions contact Dang Nguyen on [e-mail]

At the Sydney Children's Hospitals Network, every role helps children and young people live their healthiest lives.

As the largest paediatric health service in Australia, we care for thousands of children each year, in hospital and at home. Our people are united by compassion, collaboration and excellence in care.

Seeking to hire 1 or more pharmacists (up to 1 FTE) with appropriate clinical experience to join the largest Poisons Information Centre (PIC) in Australia to manage suspected or confirmed poisoning of adults and children. The successful candidate will be provided with training to become a Specialist in Poisons Information (SPI). The NSW Poisons Information Centre (NSWPIC) receives 120,000 calls annually (equating to an average of 50 calls per staff member per 8-hour shift, with an average call duration of four minutes). SPI’s provide expert guidance on risk assessment, first aid, and the clinical management of suspected or confirmed poisoning incidents (accidental and intentional).

These may involve medicines, illicit substances, chemicals (including household, industrial and agricultural), plants, as well as bites and stings. SPIs manage the majority of calls independently and elevate complex, unusual, or severe cases to clinical toxicologists for medical specialist input.

The NSWPIC is located within The Sydney Children's Hospital Network, at The Children's Hospital Westmead. This role will require the successful applicant to work on-site as required especially during their initial training period, however, the NSWPIC has established remote working practices and can provide flexible work arrangements.

Why you should join us: This is a highly rewarding role where you will interact with members of the public and healthcare professionals by providing phone advice. You will get the opportunity to engage in public health initiatives and be involved in the cutting edge of poisoning management. Callers often express their gratitude for the telephone advice provided and you will feel a sense of achievement by providing expert advice to callers who are often in stressful situations.

The team consists of approximately 30 Specialists in Poisons Information and approximately 25 Clinical Toxicologists. Senior positions in NSWPIC involve progression to the specialist areas of education and training, toxicovigilance, standards and research. We encourage continuing education and career progression amongst our team. The successful applicant will contribute to the 24/7 roster and will be expected to work a mix of shifts including after-hours and weekends.

What you’ll be doing

The New South Wales Poisons Information Centre (NSW PIC) operates as part of a national network of Poisons Information Centres service to both health professionals and the public, via the national telephone number 131126. The service manages a significant proportion of Australia’s poison information calls, responding to approximately 120,000 enquiries annually (equating to an average of 50 calls per staff member per 8-hour shift, with an average call duration of four minutes).

Staff within the service are predominantly AHPRA-registered pharmacists who have completed structured poisons information training, undertaken supervised practice, and successfully achieved competency assessment at a State level.

Additional Benefits (where applicable)

• Flexible work opportunities
• Salary packaging and meal entertainment benefits
• Accrued days off (ADOs)
• Fitness passport
• Employee assistance program (EAP)

Child Safe Standards

SCHN is committed to maintaining a child-safe environment that respects and upholds the rights of children and young people, in line with NSW Health’s commitment to the Child Safe Standards. We aim to ensure that children and young people feel safe, supported, and included in their care. All current and prospective staff are expected to prioritise the safety, welfare, and well-being of children and young people, actively working to protect them from harm and abuse.

Equal Opportunity Employer

SCHN is an Equal Opportunity Employer that values diversity, recognizing that a diverse workforce strengthens our culture and enhances the care we provide to children, young people and their families.

Permanent NSW Health roles require Australian citizenship or permanent residency

Permanent NSW Health roles require Australian citizenship or permanent residency. Temporary visa holders may be considered where no suitable Australian citizen or permanent resident is identified.

Eligibility for Overseas Qualifications

Where required, overseas qualifications must be formally assessed by the Department of Education or relevant authority for recognition in Australia.

An Eligibility List may be created for future temporary full or part time vacancies

An Eligibility List may be created for future temporary full or part time vacancies.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are strongly encouraged to apply

We recognize the value of Aboriginal staff providing health care to Aboriginal children and families. For application support, visit the NSW Health Aboriginal Recruitment tool, Stepping Up to assist in preparing your application, or contact the SCHN's Aboriginal Workforce Consultant at [e-mail].

Technical Support

For technical support please contact 1300 679 367

Requirements

1. Full (or eligible for full) registration as a pharmacist with AHPRA, with no restrictions on scope of practice. Eligible for employment as Grade 1 or Grade 2 Pharmacist as per the Health Employees' (Pharmacist) State Award.
2. Demonstrated recent clinical pharmacy experience (i.e. minimum 6 of the last 12 months in a busy clinical environment), preferably in an acute care setting such as Emergency or Critical Care.
3. Proven expertise in drug information provisions, supported by strong knowledge of pharmacology and toxicology.
4. Demonstrated clear, confident and empathetic communication with patients, adeptly translating complex clinical concepts into accessible information, and effective clinical content delivery to health professionals.
5. Demonstrated ability to manage multiple tasks within a clinical consultation, including comprehensive history taking, interpretation of medical information, and accurate timely documentation.
6. Advanced problem‑solving capability, with strong conceptual and analytical skills to independently make rapid, safe and effective clinical decisions, particularly under pressure and or when information is limited.
7. Demonstrated commitment to participating in a 24/7 SPI clinical roster, including morning, evening, overnight (minimum 12% rostered hours), and weekend shifts (minimum 25% of rostered hours) to support continuous service delivery.