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CANDIDATE INFORMATION PACK

Medical/Clinical Toxicologist, Deputy Director National Poisons Centre

Division of Health Sciences 2021 CONTENTS

01 Welcome

02 About the role

03 University of

05 Division of Health Sciences

07 National Poisions Centre

09 Position profile

11 Person profile

13 Living in

15 Application process 01 02

WELCOME from the Director About the Role

The 's National Poisons Centre invites applications for the position of Medical/Clinical Toxicologist, Deputy Director. Thank you for your interest in this position at the University of Otago. The National Poisons Centre (NPC) is the only service of The Medical/Clinical Toxicologist role is primarily It is particularly exciting to start this recruitment its kind in . It operates within the Division responsible for providing clinical governance and oversight process because it reminds me of my own journey to of Health Sciences at the University of Otago and is of NPC’s activities and clinical consultations to New join the NZNPC in 2017. I moved to Dunedin from funded through the New Zealand Ministry of Health’s Zealand-based healthcare professionals. The Medical/ Atlanta, Georgia, in the United States and look forward National Telehealth Service contract. The NPC delivers Clinical Toxicologist is expected to be an active medical to sharing how the experience has greatly enriched my a 24/7 clinical poisoning information assessment and practitioner and has provision within the role to undertake professional and personal life. This means that I can advice service to members of the public and healthcare clinical duties up to 0.2 FTE outside the NPC. In addition, provide a detailed testimonial to potential applicants professionals. NPC also maintains an extensive online as Deputy Director the role provides support to the NPC currently living outside New Zealand of the many poisons information database called TOXINZ. Director and provides delegated authority in the absence considerations encountered when moving to of the NPC Director. New Zealand and have a perspective on working in a different country and healthcare system.

This role offers full-time medical/clinical toxicology employment with the option to maintain an active clinical practice in a primary specialty. As an emergency physician myself, I typically work one shift a week in the emergency department at Dunedin Hospital, however there is no specified shift requirement as part of the role.

I greatly look forward to discussing this opportunity with you.

Adam Pomerleau MD, FAACT, FACEM Director and Medical/Clinical Toxicologist New Zealand National Poisons Centre University of Otago I am very happy to share this unique opportunity to join an amazing team at the New Zealand National Poisons Centre (NZNPC) and University of Otago. We seek a motivated and talented individual for a full-time position to provide clinical expertise and leadership as the NZNPC’s new medical/clinical toxicologist and deputy director. Based in Dunedin, New Zealand, this opportunity offers qualified applicants a special chance to embark on a fulfilling new role while living in a wonderful community. 03

The University of Otago Te Whare Wānanga o Otāgo

The University of Otago is New Zealand’s first university and one of its finest. It is a leader across all fields of academic endeavour – the humanities, sciences, health sciences and business – regularly topping the New Zealand Tertiary Education Commission’s education performance indicators.

Students can choose from more than 200 undergrad- The University’s lead strategic document, Strategic uate and postgraduate programmes and are taught by Direction to 2020, identifies seven strategic imperatives leaders in their fields. The high calibre of teaching at which are critical to its ongoing success. These are: ex- Otago is reflected by an unparalleled record of success cellence in research; excellence in teaching; outstanding in the country’s Tertiary Teaching Excellence Awards. student experiences; outstanding campus environments; commitment as a local, national and global citizen; Research excellence underpins all academic activity: strong external engagement; and sustaining capability. approximately 3,500 of the University’s 20,000 students A new long-term strategic vision is currently under study at postgraduate level. Otago is the home of New consultation and it is this will identify key priorities to Zealand’s first medical school and only schools of den- guide the institution until 2040. tistry and surveying. The University has leadership roles in national Centres of Research Excellence and partner- The University of Otago is also strategically committed ship roles in all of the country’s National Science Chal- to furthering the aspirations of Māori, and our Pacific lenges. It also hosts multidisciplinary research themes neighbours, and has memoranda of understanding with and research centres, including two of the world’s most a number of , in particular Ngāi Tahu, the mana highly regarded health and development longitudinal whenua of the University’s main area of operation. studies. With more than 85 per cent of students coming from The teaching year generally runs from February to No- outside Dunedin, the University offers a unique vember, broken into two 13-week semesters. campus-based lifestyle, a special feature of which are A number of programmes are offered via distance learn- the 14 residential colleges located close to the heart of ing and a Summer School is held for six weeks during all University activities. January and February. Further information is available from the Providing a world-class environment for students and University’s website otago.ac.nz as well In addition to research and teaching excellence, the staff is a priority and the University has embarked on a as a number of other publications including: University is committed through its Strategic Direc- significant capital development programme in recent tion to local, national and international betterment; years. The Annual Report strong external engagement; sustainable capability; and otago.ac.nz/about/official-documents providing outstanding student experiences and campus Otago was the first New Zealand university to achieve environments. Fair Trade status and the recently established Social He Kitenga Research Highlights Impact Studio is fostering a growing culture of volun- otago.ac.nz/hekitenga The main campus is located in Dunedin – internation- teerism among staff and students. ally recognised as one of the most beautiful campuses Otago Magazine in the world – with significant health sciences campuses otago.ac.nz/otagomagazine in and , as well as a presence in and . University of Otago InBrief otago.ac.nz/inbrief 05 06

Division of Health Sciences Te Wāhanga Matua Mātau Hauora

Achieving Excellence – advancing health at home and around the world Whaia te Iti Kahurangi – hāpaitia te hauora kit e kāinga, ki te ao

Mission Statement The Division of Health Sciences’ strength is seen in its diverse and successful research capabilities. Much of its The Division of Health Sciences will provide New The Division also has a comprehensive offering of research results in tangible benefits for New Zealand. Zealand society and other communities with a highly- postgraduate taught and research based degrees. qualified workforce in the health professions, and There are numerous areas of research will lead research and academic advancement in the With campuses in Dunedin, Christchurch and expertise including: areas of health and biomedical science. The Division Wellington and multiple teaching hubs throughout • Hosting of two National Science Challenges; Ageing will promote health, health care and equitable health the country, the Division of Health Sciences has a outcomes through outstanding basic and applied Well and Healthier Lives nationwide presence. • Partners in the Better Start National Science research, and world-class academic and professional leadership. This will be achieved through research- Challenge The head of the Division is the Pro-Vice-Chancellor • Co-host of a national CoRE; Brain Research New based undergraduate, postgraduate, and professional (PVC), and the Deans (Heads of Schools) report to the academic programmes of international standard in the Zealand – Rangahau Roro Aotearoa PVC. There are over 6000 (EFTS) students with more • Leading and hosting Genomics Aotearoa health and biomedical sciences, and the translation of than 2,500 postgraduate taught and research students. research into products and services to benefit society. • Healthy housing Students are supported by over 500 (FTE) academic • Mental health staff providing a student-academic staff ratio of close to • Oral health The Division of Health Sciences is pleased 12 to one. More than 300 (FTE) professional staff work • Monitoring of medication use for the Division supporting its teaching and research • Cardiovascular disease to host the following professional activities. programmes: • Screening programme for stomach cancer • Prevention and treatment measures for diabetes and • Bachelor of Dental Surgery obesity • Bachelor of Dental Technology • Biomedical and biological sciences. • Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science • Pain @ Otago. • Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery • Bachelor of Oral Health Each campus has a large number • Bachelor of Pharmacy of prestigious research groups. • Bachelor of Physiotherapy • Bachelor of Radiation Therapy These include: • Nursing (postgraduate entry) • Brain Health Research Centre • Christchurch Heart Institute • Centre for Neuroendocrinology In addition to these, there is an extensive • Centre for Translational Cancer Research range of programmes offered by the • Edgar Diabetes and Obesity Research School of Biomedical Sciences through 5 • Genetics Otago • New Zealand Centre for Sustainable Cities departments: • Otago Global Health Institute for Oral Health • Department of Anatomy • One Health Aotearoa for Infectious Diseases. • Department of Biochemistry • Department of Microbiology and Immunology • Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology • Department of Physiology otago.ac.nz/healthsciences 07 08

National Poisons Centre

The core staff at the Centre have a variety of health-related degrees including Bachelors, Masters or PhDs in pharmacology, toxicology, nursing or pharmacy. Call-taking staff members have also undertaken intensive training in the specific management of poisoning. Clinical oversight is provided by medical/clinical toxicologists who also provide 24 hour availability for consultation in complex poisoning cases.

Our Mission Statement History of the Centre The National Poisons Centre is the only service of its kind in The initiative for starting a poisons centre in New New Zealand, we aspire to: Zealand came following the return of Dr JC Dacre to the Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacy from a period • Provide 24/7 high quality poisoning assessment and of study leave in the United States. The idea was progressed treatment advice that is immediately available to all by Professor of Clinical Pharmacology Garth McQueen with . the help of Associate Professor Fred Fastier. The idea was • Reduce the burden on healthcare resources in accepted by the then Department of Health in April 1964, situations where patients can be safely managed at and the National Poisons Centre service started in Dunedin home. in December 1964 and has been operating continuously • Optimise the care of poisoned patients through clinical since. consultation, research, and ongoing professional education. The service initially operated from the Emergency • Promote public health through poisoning surveillance, Department at Dunedin Hospital. In 1990 (when call public education in poison prevention, and emergency numbers reached 5,000 per year) enquiries started to be preparedness efforts. answered from the Centre's administrative office from 9 am • Maintain and constantly improve TOXINZ™ as a to 5 pm during the week with the emergency department poisons information database of distinction continuing to handle calls outside these hours. In 1991, this was extended from 8.30 am to 11 pm with full 24- In this mission NPC is guided by its core values of hour coverage being provided by the Centre first in 1995. respect, compassion, fairness, cohesiveness, and pursuit of In October 2001, the Centre launched its toll-free number excellence. (0800 POISON) making it free to call the Centre from anywhere in New Zealand.

Who we are In November 2015, the Centre secured a 10-year funding Our team comprises a close-knit interprofessional group contract as part of the newly formed National Telehealth that enjoys a high level of camaraderie and job satisfaction. Service, sponsored by the New Zealand Ministry of Health. When the current vacancy is filled out team will consist of fifteen individuals, with four staff members having more than 15 years of experience in their roles. The team collaboratively and consistently attains a high level of achievement. In 2020, the Centre:

• Responded to more than 26,000 direct contacts. • Provided more than 1,500 consultations with its medical/ clinical toxicologists. • Supplied nearly 49,000 page hits on its TOXINZ™ poisons information database for NZ-based healthcare providers, and more than 438,000 page hits globally. • Made numerous additional contributions to public health initiatives, professional and student education and training, and academic outputs throughout the year. 09 10

Position Profile Medical/Clinical Toxicologist, Deputy Director

Main Objectives: Equal Employment Opportunities • Support public outreach activities of NPC. The Otago Medical School is strongly committed to diversity • Support teaching activities of NPC. • Provide clinical consultations to healthcare professionals in staffing and we encourage applications from women and • Develop initiatives including medical/clinical toxicology in regard to the management of toxic exposures. other under-represented groups who are suitably qualified. training opportunities for health professionals. • Contribute to the 24/7 on-call roster for medical Parental leave without pay of up to 52 weeks including paid • Maintain an active clinical practice, beyond core toxicologists. This entails responding to enquiries parental leave of up to twelve weeks’ salary may be granted. medical/clinical toxicology consultations, through duties outside of normal hours on a rostered basis to provide The Otago University Childcare Centre operates childcare outside of NPC (allowance is made for time equivalent consultation to NPC staff and to other healthcare facilities covering the period from birth to five years. and up to 0.2 FTE, however this is secondary to fulfilling professionals seeking advice on medical toxicology duties inside the NPC). issues. and the Māori Strategic Framework • Provide clinical governance for NPC’s activities Health and Safety The Otago Medical School is committed to its obligations including oversight of clinical advice dispensed by NPC under the Treaty of Waitangi and the University’s Māori staff. • Ensure that health and safety practices are observed in Strategic Framework. The School's broader aims include • Lead projects including quality assurance/improvement all workplace activities. improving the recruitment, retention and support of Māori efforts, new activities/services development, and • Ensure that exemplary health and safety practice is students and staff; to develop research that is of relevance to research. taught to students in relation to the discipline. Māori, as well as research that is carried out in a way that is • Contribute to the TOXINZ database as an editor and • Report all accidents, incidents and near-misses in sensitive to Tikanga; and establish oversight which will link clinical subject matter expert. accordance with policy. the School with Ngāi Tahu and other stakeholders. • Take responsibility for ensuring that relevant health and Key Tasks: safety training has been completed. • Identify and report all hazards. • Provide medical toxicology advice as required for NPC • Assist the Department Health and Safety Officer when service delivery. requested. • Regularly review advice given by NPC staff to ensure adequate clinical standards and safety are maintained. Other Duties • Document clinical toxicology consultations provided in the NPC electronic medical record system. • Carry out any other duties, requested by the Director • Provide editorial and medical toxicology direction to the or designated supervisor that reasonably fall within the TOXINZ substance database. broad parameters of the position or as an employee of • Write and review protocols for incorporation into the the University. TOXINZ database. • Ensure NPC staff maintain acceptable levels of medical Employment Conditions toxicological knowledge. Depending upon the qualifications and experience of the • Contribute to the training and professional development applicant, this role may be offered as a Professional Practice of NPC staff. Fellow, Research Fellow or Senior Research Fellow. • Ensure ongoing continuing medical toxicology education to NPC staff. Refer also: otago.ac.nz/humanresources/training/academic- • Support the Director in activities to promote the staff/academic-titles/index.html NPC as a professional and reliable source of medical toxicological advice. • Produce or contribute to research outputs in medical/ clinical toxicology. • Contribute to the achievement of NPC’s primary mission and contracted deliverables. • Fulfil roles and responsibilities of the NPC director in their absence (as delegated). • Support public health activities of NPC. 11 12

Person Profile

Candidates must:

• Be eligible for, obtain, and maintain active Medical Registration with the New Zealand Medical Council, with a valid practising certificate. • Be eligible for, obtain, and maintain Vocational Registration with the NZ Medical Council in emergency medicine or other relevant vocational scope. • Have formal training and experience in medical/clinical toxicology. • Have demonstrated output of scholarly activity and participation in medical/clinical toxicology research. • Highly developed oral and written communication, interpersonal, and consultation skills, and an ability to build strong working relationships. • Have leadership and team building abilities. 13 14

Living in Dunedin

The University of Otago’s southern roots are anchored in its formal relationship with mana whenua Ngāi Tahu and the legacy of the city’s Scottish settlers who established a university here within just 21 years of founding the from which the University takes its name.

Dunedin grew rich on the back of the 1860s Otago gold Dunedin is also the gateway to Central Otago: the re- rush, a wealth that is reflected today in streetscapes sort towns of and Queenstown – New Zealand’s of outstanding Victorian and Edwardian architecture. adventure capital – are just over three hours’ drive away. With a population of around 130,000, this is a small Skiing, snowboarding, boating, mountain-biking and but sophisticated city, boasting many of the amenities wine tasting are just a few of the many activities to be and cultural richness usually only found in much larger enjoyed. urban centres, while still retaining its traditional friendliness and ease of getting around. However, it is education that is one of Dunedin’s most defining features and its major industry. This is a true In Dunedin there are professional theatres, outstanding student city. In addition to the University of Otago, the art galleries, museums and libraries. Dunedin is also city hosts a thriving polytechnic and excellent pre- recognised as a UNESCO City of Literature. For those school, primary and secondary education facilities. who enjoy sports, Dunedin offers world-class sporting University students, staff and their families comprise facilities – including New Zealand’s only covered sta- more than one quarter of the population of urban dium. For those who enjoy the outdoors, Dunedin has Dunedin, enriching the intellectual, cultural and beautiful beaches and internationally acclaimed wildlife sporting life of the city. sanctuaries. The world’s only mainland Royal Colony is located on the headland at the entrance to And, while Dunedin is located in the south of New . Zealand, it is very well connected. The region has two international airports with direct flights to Australia, and is New Zealand’s first GigCity with one gigabit per second broadband services. Sister city relationships are fostered with (), (Japan) and (China).

More information about living in Dunedin is available at The heart of the city is lined with cafés and restaurants, www.dunedinnz.com/ and modern shopping complexes trade alongside interesting boutiques and a weekly farmers’ market that provides an outlet for much of the area’s first-rate produce. Housing is affordable, both to buy and rent. Thanks to the foresight of the early planners, there are many parks and green spaces, and outstanding views are commonplace from the city’s hillside suburbs.

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Application process

Submitting an Application

The University seeks written documents from candidates wishing to apply for the role.

Candidates are therefore required to provide: • A CV • A letter of application addressing the Person Profile. • 3-4 Referee contact details, including telephone number and email address.

Confidential enquiries may be directed to: Dr Adam Pomerleau Director and Medical/Clinical Toxicologist New Zealand National Poisons Centre [email protected]

Referees The University may contact all three or four referees listed in the application. The candidate should also state their relationship with each referee. Referees will only be contacted after prior consultation with the candidate. It is the candidate’s responsibility to ensure that their referees are willing to provide reports when contacted.

The University reserves the right to seek reports on the suitability of candidates from experts in the field, other than those nominated by the candidate. Should an applicant not wish a specific person or persons to be contacted, please advise the recruitment team at the time of application.

Date of Appointment Applicants are asked to indicate the date they would expect to be available to take up the appointment. The appointment is available immediately.