Dietician- Diabetes Educator Clinic

Responsibilities

• Provides care following the National Standard for Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support (DSMES) as defined by the American Diabetes Association (ADA).
• Assesses and evaluates patient needs in developing plan of care within the guidelines of established policies, procedures, and regulatory standards; updates care plan as needed within scope of practice.
• Provides education regarding diabetes and treatment options, diabetes nutrition, exercise and activity, managing blood sugar, and diabetes medications, including skills related to the self-administration of injectable drugs.
• Under physician order with proven competencies and within departmental policy, may adjust diabetes medications from physician-prescribed starting dosage and monitor insulin pump hookups; evaluates and assesses insulin injections without performing skin penetration injections.
• Acts as a resource for healthcare providers, patients, and the community.
• Serves as an educator and resource to medical staff and hospital staff regarding diabetes management; maintains communication with physicians and other healthcare providers regarding patient's plan of care.
• Assesses the educational needs and learning barriers of the designated population; integrates health promotion and preventive aspects of care.
• Provides formal instruction on diabetes management to patients (inpatient and outpatient).
• Serves as a health resource to the community by participating in community events and coordinating support group meetings; participates in the development and evaluation of patient education programs and materials.
• May participate as a member of the Diabetes Advisory Board Committee.
• Demonstrates knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age of patients served; demonstrates knowledge of growth and development principles over the lifespan and interprets patient data to meet age-specific needs.

Requirements

• Registered Nurse license issued by the state in which the team member practices, or Dietitian certification issued by the state in which the team member practices, and Dietitian (RD) registration with the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
• Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist (CDCES) certification issued by the Certification Board for Diabetes Care and Education (CBDCE) must be obtained within 3 years.
• Bachelor’s Degree (or equivalent knowledge) in Nursing, or Bachelor’s Degree (or equivalent knowledge) in Dietetics.
• Typically requires 2 years of experience in a registered nurse or dietitian role with advanced clinical and technical knowledge of Diabetes.

Skills

• Maintains credentialing and continuing education requirements for recognition and representation of an accredited DSMT program.
• Excellent interpersonal and group communication skills.
• Maintains a high degree of professional competence through ongoing education and membership in professional organizations.
• Ability to effectively communicate with patients, the public, medical facility staff, and physicians.

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions

• Requires physical activity: must be able to sit, stand, walk, lift, carry, push/pull, bend, squat, twist, rotate, kneel, and reach occasionally throughout the workday.
• May be required to lift 10-25 lbs. occasionally when transporting education materials.
• Must have functional speech, vision, and hearing.
• Generally exposed to a normal office environment; position may require local travel and may be exposed to road and weather hazards.
• Hours will vary according to patient needs.
• Operates all equipment necessary to perform the job.