Poison Information Specialist

University of New Mexico; Albuquerque (NM); On-site; USD 68,000 - 76,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Life insurance

Tuition remission

Dependent education programs

Job summary

The University of New Mexico College of Pharmacy and the New Mexico Poison and Drug Information Center in Albuquerque are seeking a Poison Information Specialist for a two-year term with a strong likelihood of becoming permanent based on performance. The position includes shift differential options for overnights and evenings.

The role entails handling poison and drug information inquiries from the public and healthcare professionals, providing toxicity data and treatment guidance, and

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Pharmacy.
• Must be eligible for licensure as a Pharmacist in New Mexico.
• Higher degrees may substitute for experience on a year-for-year basis.

Responsibilities

• Receive and respond to telephone inquiries from the public, health care practitioners, and other agencies regarding poison and drug information.
• Provide information on the toxicity of drugs, poisons, chemicals, biologics, hazardous materials, and other substances; recommend antidotes, treatments, and actions in emergencies.
• Provide information on all aspects of drug usage to health care practitioners, agencies, and the public as assigned.
• Overnight shift exclusively after 2000+ exposures based on seniority scheduling.
• Sit for and pass the Certified Specialist in Poison Information exam offered annually.
• Some weekends and holidays are required.

Skills

Poison information experience

Verbal communication

Written communication

Typing speed

Education

Bachelor's degree in Pharmacy

Licensed Pharmacist in NM

Tools

Excel

Word

Job description

Poison Information Specialist

The University of New Mexico College of Pharmacy and the New Mexico Poison and Drug Information Center (NMPDIC) in Albuquerque are expanding their staff and are seeking a term Poison Information Specialist for the Poison Center. While the position is initially a two-year term, there is a strong likelihood that the selected candidate will be offered a permanent role at or before the completion of the term based on factors such as performance.

Located in the historically-rich southwest, the College of Pharmacy is part of the Health Sciences campus and works collaboratively with the School of Medicine, College of Nursing, UNM Hospitals, and UNM Cancer Research and Treatment Center in the state's largest health complex. The NMPDIC is a major teaching site for UNM's College of Pharmacy and School of Medicine. For more information, go to: http://nmpoisoncenter.unm.edu

The NMPDIC is accredited as a Regional Poison Center by the American Association of Poison Control Centers. NMPDIC provides services to the entire state of New Mexico on a 24/7 basis. We provide treatment recommendations during possible poisonings, collaborate with the Department of Health during statewide and national emergencies, and assist emergency personnel during hazardous material incidents. Specialists in Poison information can participate in teaching and research opportunities based on need and level of training. In addition to the Specialists, the NMPDIC employs a full‑time Educator who represents NMPDIC at fairs, group presentations to audiences of all ages, training, and collaboration with pharmacy students, and many other collaborative efforts.

PharmD candidates who are graduating in the next 12 months are welcome to apply.

Required Duties & Responsibilities:

1. Receive and respond to telephone inquiries from the general public, health care practitioners, and other agencies regarding poison and drug information.
2. Provide information on the toxicity of drugs, poisons, chemicals, biologics, hazardous materials, and other substances Recommend antidotes, treatments, and/or courses of action to callers in emergency situations.
3. Provide information on all aspects of drug usage to health care practitioners, agencies, and the public, as assigned.
4. After the SPI has managed over 2000 human exposures, the schedule will consist of the overnight shift exclusively, as per seniority scheduling.
5. The SPI will be required to sit for and pass the Certified Specialist in Poison Information certification exam that is offered nationally once a year.
6. Some weekends and holidays are required.

(Shift differentials available for overnights and evenings)

See the Position Description for additional information.

Conditions of Employment

• Employees who provide services or work in patient care or clinical areas are required to be in compliance with the University's influenza vaccination requirement.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in Pharmacy.
Certification/Licensure
Must be eligible for licensure as a Pharmacist in the State of New Mexico.

Completed degree(s) from an accredited institution that are above the minimum education requirement may be substituted for experience on a year for year basis.

Preferred Qualifications

• Poison Information Specialist, Emergency Department or ICU experience
• Proficient in Excel and Word
• Experience using electronic clinical database resources
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Proficient typing speed
• Previous elective course or experiential rotation in toxicology

Campus

Health Sciences Center (HSC) - Albuquerque, NM

Department

Poison Control (040A)

Employment Type

Staff

Staff Type

Term - Full-Time

Term End Date

10/31/2028

Status

Non-Exempt

Pay

Hourly: $49.00 to $55.54

Benefits Eligible

This is a benefits eligible position. The University of New Mexico provides a comprehensive package of benefits including medical, dental, vision, and life insurance. In addition, UNM offers educational benefits through the tuition remission and dependent education programs. See the Benefits home page for more information.

ERB Statement

As a condition of employment, eligible employees working greater than .25 FTE as determined by the New Mexico Education Retirement Act must make mandatory retirement contributions. For more information, review the Benefits Eligibility at a Glance grid.

Background Check Required

Yes

For Best Consideration Date

10/23/2026

Eligible for Hiring Incentive

No

Eligible for Remote Work

No

Positions posted with a Staff Type of Regular or Term are eligible for the Veteran Preference Program. See the Veteran Preference Program webpage for additional details.

The University of New Mexico is committed to hiring and retaining a diverse workforce. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer, making decisions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or any other protected class.

The University of New Mexico requires all regular staff positions successfully pass a pre-employment background check. This may include, but is not limited to, a criminal history background check, New Mexico Department of Health fingerprint screening, New Mexico Children, Youth, and Families Department fingerprint screening, verification of education credentials, and/or verification of prior employment. For more information about background checks, visit https://policy.unm.edu/university-policies/3000/3280.html. Refer to https://policy.unm.edu/university-policies/3000/3200.html for a definition of Regular Staff.