Medical toxicology is a medical subspecialty focusing on the diagnosis, management and prevention of poisoning and other adverse health effects due to medications, occupational and environmental toxins, and biological agents. Medical toxicology is officially recognized as a medical subspecialty by the American Board of Medical Specialties. In July 2000 the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) established criteria for accreditation of Residencies (i.e. Fellowships) in Medical Toxicology. These criteria are rigorous and attempt to establish a baseline level of consistency in training among the extremely distinct approaches to training that had existed in the very recent past. The New York University based fellowship at the New York City Poison Control Center has received full certification through the ACGME's Emergency Medicine Residency Review Committee, one of the two pathways by which certification may be obtained (the other is through Preventive Medicine). Participation in the Medical Toxicology Board Certification examination, administered by the American Board of Emergency Medicine, requires completion of an ACGME-certified Residency in Medical Toxicology.
The New York University School of Medicine Fellowship in Medical Toxicology is a two year program based primarily at the New York City Poison Control Center. Fellows play an integral role in resident training and the clinical practice of emergency medicine at all Department of Emergency Medicine facilities, including Bellevue Hospital Center, New York University Medical Center, and the VA Medical Center.
The PCC maintains a laboratory capable of performing basic research techniques in addition to a facility for small animal research. The laboratory is housed in and animal care is provided by the New York City Department of Health Public Health Laboratory. This is located in the same building as the NYCPCC. In addition, there are other extensive and accessible laboratory capabilities within the Department of Health and at Bellevue Hospital and NYU School of Medicine.