Director, National Capital Poison Center

The George Washington University

Job Description Summary: 

The National Capital Poison Center invites medical or clinical toxicologists to apply for the Director position. The Center has a regional base, handling about 38,000 human poison exposures from the DC metro area annually, and a national scope through its webPOISONCONTROL project which provides fully-automated, online management of about 130,000 human poison exposures nationally (and internationally). Established in 1980, the Center is an independent 501©(3) not-for-profit organization, funded through grants and philanthropy.

The Director, National Capital Poison Center provides leadership, direction, innovation, stability and supervision for all Poison Center and project staff to optimize the operations, quality, cohesiveness, efficiency, funding, innovation, and public and professional image of the Center and the webPOISONCONTROL project.

Responsible for:

  • Administrative, leadership and toxicology functions: Board of Directors, National Capital Poison Center
  • University liaison functions: Chairman, Department of Emergency Medicine, The George Washington University

Major responsibilities:

1. Programmatic direction

a. Provide fiscal, clinical, administrative, IT, and programmatic direction for the Center, including long-range planning and over-arching supervision of all programs to optimize quality and efficiency. Implement and maintain cutting-edge programs and services. Current programs include the call center where triage and treatment guidance is provided to callers, the webPOISONCONTROL online tool with public-facing and SPI interfaces and analytics, surveillance, professional education, poison prevention education, and media.

b. Coordinate, supervise, plan, and administer special projects including surveillance, research, grant, technologic and administrative projects.

c. Ensure medical direction of the Center and on-call SPI backup is adequate and responsive to the Center’s needs. Assist with on-call SPI backup. Ensure coverage for and participate in IT and administrative on-call duties.

d. Participate in the webPOISONCONTROL project including algorithm development, publication, case auditing, project funding and promotion.

e. Analyze data, identify trends and hazards, and prepare data reports (annual reports, research and surveillance reports, grant reports). Lead toxicosurveillance efforts.

f. Identify and implement technologic advancements to enhance quality and efficiency of clinical and administrative operations. Understand functions and interactions of IT, network, EMR, telephony, office equipment, administrative and clinical software solutions, financial and fund-raising software, and the center’s websites.

g. Provide continuous quality improvement for Poison Center operations.

2. Fiscal, human resources, IT, and administrative responsibilities

a. Provide administrative direction, supervision, and 24/7 operational support for the Center, ensuring that all corporate, fiscal, personnel, accounting, legal, fundraising, IT, infrastructure, insurance, and administrative functions and responsibilities are carried out as required for effective operations and compliance.

b. Provide leadership, direction and supervision for all Center and project staff. Ensure staff competency and retention. Serve as HR point of contact for employing institutions (GWU, MFA, MedStar, etc), including contracting, hiring, salary adjustments, payroll and time log review, performance evaluations, and position adjustments. Serve as advocate and intermediary between GWU and NCPC.

c. Oversee the financial duties and needs of the Center (with assistance of the CFO) including budgeting, reviewing purchases and journal entries, 990 preparation, audits, contracts, bank accounts, grant reporting and deliverables, and contracts.

d. Ensure the short- medium- and long-term financial and administrative viability of the Center.

e. Conduct existing fundraising projects (hospital membership campaign, CHIP funding, state funding, philanthropy, holiday campaign, grants) and develop and implement additional fundraising strategies.

f. Serve as principal on leases, MOUs, agreements, and federal, state, and foundation grants.

g. Ensure compliance with all applicable laws, regulations, insurance and grant requirements. Respond to legal and insurance issues.

h. Optimize organizational structure for the Center and onsite/remote work arrangements.

i. Manage Board of Directors relations and conduct Board meetings.

3. Outreach, media, partnerships, promotion, and professional education

a. Supervise and prioritize public education programs in poison prevention and poison center awareness for the general public, including materials distribution, presentations, and media features.

b. Promote the Center in the media by responding to requests for interviews and supervising social media and outreach campaigns. Enhance the image of the Center among the press and the public.

c. Supervise NCPC-provided health professional educational programs throughout the DC metro area and onsite trainee rotations.

d. Engage in lobbying activities to raise awareness of the Center among legislators.

e. Develop partnerships with local organizations.

4. Accreditation. Ensure AAPCC accreditation of the Center. Organize and lead AAPCC accreditation/AACR and ensure compliance.

5. Miscellaneous

a. Maintain medical/clinical toxicology expertise and knowledge of current operations of U.S. poison centers.

b. All other duties required to optimize the operations, quality, cohesiveness, efficiency, funding, innovation, and public and professional image of the National Capital Poison Center and webPOISONCONTROL project.

Performs other related duties as assigned. The omission of specific duties does not preclude the supervisor from assigning duties that are logically related to the position.

Minimum Qualifications: 

Qualified candidates will hold a BA/BS in a related discipline plus 10 years of relevant professional experience. Degree must be conferred by the start date of the position.

Additional Required Licenses/Certifications/Posting Specific Minimum Qualifications: 

Board certified in applied toxicology with pharmacy licensure in DC, MD and VA, or board certified in medical toxicology with physician licensure in DC, MD and VA.

Preferred Qualifications: 

  • MD degree, board certified in medical toxicology, or ABAT-certified PharmD.
  • Prior experience directing a poison control center preferred.

Typical Hiring Range Commensurate with Experience.

Campus Location: Foggy Bottom, Washington, D.C.

College/School/Department: School of Medicine and Health Sciences (SMHS)

Family Research and Labs

Sub-Family Centers/Institutes

Stream Management

Level Level 4

Full-Time/Part-Time: Full time -> FTE 1.00

Hours Per Week: 40

Work Schedule: Monday through Friday, 8:30am - 5:00pm

Will this job require the employee to work on site? Yes

Employee Onsite Status Essential onsite

Telework: No

Required Background Check Criminal History Screening, Education/Degree/Certifications Verification, Social Security Number Trace, and Sex Offender Registry Search

Special Instructions to Applicants: 

Employer will not sponsor for employment Visa status

Internal Applicants Only? No

Posting Number: R002054

Job Open Date: 10/18/2023

Job Close Date: 

If temporary, grant funded or limited term appointment, position funded until: 

Background Screening Successful Completion of a Background Screening will be required as a condition of hire.

EEO Statement: 

The university is an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer that does not unlawfully discriminate in any of its programs or activities on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or on any other basis prohibited by applicable law.

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Confirmed 23 hours ago. Posted 30+ days ago.

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