CSEC Seeking Public Member for the Poison Control Coordinating Committee

Do you think you have what it takes to make a difference in poison control? We hope you do! The Texas Commission on State Emergency Communications (CSEC) is seeking an interested individual to serve as its public appointee to the state's Poison Control Coordinating Committee (PCCC). While the position is unpaid and a volunteer position, it comes with a lot of benefits in other ways.

“It is wonderful to be a part of a team that works toward the health and safety of Texans.  The Poison Control Network provides a vital service for Texans in poison emergencies,” previous public member Grace Chimene said. “As the Public Member to the Poison Control Coordinating Committee, you will have an opportunity to provide an outsider's viewpoint and a public perspective to help coordinate TPCN services across the state.”

The 81st Texas Legislature created the committee (House Bill 1093) for the purposes of coordinating the activities of the state's six regional poison control centers and advising the Commission. The committee is composed of representatives of the CSEC, the Department of State Health Services (DSHS), each of the six Regional Poison Control Centers, and one public member appointed by CSEC. The committee typically meets monthly, usually by conference call.

“Poison emergencies happen fast.  I took pride in the volunteer service I provided as the Public Member to the Poison Control Coordinating Committee,” Chimene said. “This is a wonderful opportunity to help an organization whose goal is to be accessible 24 hours a day with well-trained medical professionals available to help in a poison emergency.”

This position is very important to the PCCC and as the Public Member, your opinion will provide valuable insight and understanding from the public’s perspective. This position does not require any training, but if you have training in clinical medicine, pharmacology, or nursing, this would provide even more value to the PCCC.

“As a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, I understood the importance of the services provided by the Poison Control Network,” Chimene said. “My little patients and their families rely on this emergency service to be effective, well-coordinated, and high quality.”

If you are interested in finding out more about this position or are interested in serving, please contact CSEC’s Executive Director Kelli Merriweather at (512) 305-6938, or kelli.merriweather@csec.texas.gov.