Poison Control pharmacist

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Hi all,

I'm about to graduate with PharmD degree. I tried to do PGY1 clinical residency but didn't match...oh well, things might happen for a reason...I did one rotation as a student at the regional poison control center and liked it lot...although my experience there were pretty much limited to didactic and presenting patient cases, never touched the phone or talked to patients live.

The same poison control center where I did my rotation just opened up a position for Poison info specialist (SPI), and I've been wanting to apply right after I know I'm unmatched for the residency ... just wasn't sure much about the paid and the chance for me to continue to move up higher with clinical skills. All I heard from people so far is it can be very minimal compared to other staff PharmD doing inpatient, probably even 1/2 salary compared to retail.

Anyway, my ultimate goal is becoming an ER Clinical pharmacist with strong Tox background. I just don't know working a few years as a SPI will help me to get there. Also, I'd like to teach students, more specifically precepting pharmacy students. When I rotated through the Center, I was supervised by MDs mostly and they're not quite familiar with the work/curriculum of pharmacy school. My ideal dream job is a mix of academic/clinical with strong toxicology...i just don't know how to reach that goal....

I think I may get more insights in this forum than the general pharmacy forum.
Thanks!

Isn't half of retail hell pay what people get in academics? So, you would make the same as an academic. Now, the experience could be outstanding. However, apart from the direct experience of calling (such as finding out, on a Sunday evening, that South Carolina had a "state mycologist", and that he was REALLY good) for advice, I don't know much more beyond the telephone number.

Originally Posted by evildarklord

Hi all,

I'm about to graduate with PharmD degree. I tried to do PGY1 clinical residency but didn't match...oh well, things might happen for a reason...I did one rotation as a student at the regional poison control center and liked it lot...although my experience there were pretty much limited to didactic and presenting patient cases, never touched the phone or talked to patients live.

The same poison control center where I did my rotation just opened up a position for Poison info specialist (SPI), and I've been wanting to apply right after I know I'm unmatched for the residency ... just wasn't sure much about the paid and the chance for me to continue to move up higher with clinical skills. All I heard from people so far is it can be very minimal compared to other staff PharmD doing inpatient, probably even 1/2 salary compared to retail.

Anyway, my ultimate goal is becoming an ER Clinical pharmacist with strong Tox background. I just don't know working a few years as a SPI will help me to get there. Also, I'd like to teach students, more specifically precepting pharmacy students. When I rotated through the Center, I was supervised by MDs mostly and they're not quite familiar with the work/curriculum of pharmacy school. My ideal dream job is a mix of academic/clinical with strong toxicology...i just don't know how to reach that goal....

I think I may get more insights in this forum than the general pharmacy forum.
Thanks!

I can't help you much, I'm just a 4th year medical student. But I just wanted to say that I spent some time in my poison center for research purposes. In my experience, there was only one MD around, and that wasn't even very often. I mostly saw PharmD's interacting with the pharm students. The pharm students also got to answer calls on their rotation. So what I'm saying is that it sounds like there are varying experiences based on which poison center you're at. I bet the center you did your rotation at would know of someone who may be able to help you with career advising and is familiar with this in regards to being a PharmD. It just may not be someone local.

Originally Posted by evildarklord

Hi all,

I'm about to graduate with PharmD degree. I tried to do PGY1 clinical residency but didn't match...oh well, things might happen for a reason...I did one rotation as a student at the regional poison control center and liked it lot...although my experience there were pretty much limited to didactic and presenting patient cases, never touched the phone or talked to patients live.

The same poison control center where I did my rotation just opened up a position for Poison info specialist (SPI), and I've been wanting to apply right after I know I'm unmatched for the residency ... just wasn't sure much about the paid and the chance for me to continue to move up higher with clinical skills. All I heard from people so far is it can be very minimal compared to other staff PharmD doing inpatient, probably even 1/2 salary compared to retail.

Anyway, my ultimate goal is becoming an ER Clinical pharmacist with strong Tox background. I just don't know working a few years as a SPI will help me to get there. Also, I'd like to teach students, more specifically precepting pharmacy students. When I rotated through the Center, I was supervised by MDs mostly and they're not quite familiar with the work/curriculum of pharmacy school. My ideal dream job is a mix of academic/clinical with strong toxicology...i just don't know how to reach that goal....

I think I may get more insights in this forum than the general pharmacy forum.
Thanks!

I think there are a few issues here: 1) ED Clinical Pharmacy & 2) Medical Toxicology.

In regards to #2, working as a SPI would actually help, probably. While tox problems frequently present in the ED, the breadth of toxicology isn't only restricted to the ED and having experience in a PCC as a SPI will help supplement that. If you're interested at some point in sitting for the DABAT, having this under your belt will be a great advantage.

In regards to #1, this issue may best be handled in the Gen Pharm forums, as I'm not quite sure about the reapplication process & realities in the pharmacy residency process. I would think, however, that if you had some PCC experience under your belt (and could obtain a letter of recommendation from the director or clinical director), that this would likely help.

Overall, then, keep in mind the potential for "splitting" your job --> 50% retail, 50% PCC. This may keep you from wanting to bash your head against the wall with retail, but still allow you to make some money while preparing to reapply.

Sounds like you should chat with someone from your PharmD program; do you have a mentor? Also, if your school has graduated anyone into ED Clin Pharm programs, you should chat with them - they're likely to have much input on this.

Good luck!

-d