Diabetes Educator Inpatient

Major Responsibilities:

• Responsible for planning, implementing, and evaluating diabetes self- management training across the continuum for inpatients, outpatients, significant others, and community.  

  1)• Conducts and documents individualized assessment of pertinent medical, psychosocial, and educational history of patients.

  2)• Using a multidisciplinary approach, develops, implements, and documents teaching plan, educational interventions, and follow-up plan based on the learning needs assessment for patients, families, and/or significant others.

  3)• Collaborates with patients, families, and/or significant others in establishing mutual learning goals and behavior change goals.

  4)• Documents evaluation of outcomes, and revises interventions and follow-up plan for patients, families, and/or significant others.    

  5)• Participates in clinical evaluation of patient care.   

  6)• Accesses resources to facilitate discharge planning and appropriate follow-up.

  7)• Bases instruction on current standards of practice and input from physicians.

  8)• Participates in planning and conducting community service projects, programs, and support groups  

  9)• Teaches, evaluates, and provides patient follow-up specific to diabetes classes.   

  10)• Communicates education and follow-up recommendations to physicians and other health care providers within the multidisciplinary team.

  Functions as a resource in diabetes management for the healthcare team

  1)• Serves as a resource person to nursing staff regarding procedures, clinical pathways, and equipment directly related to diabetes management.

  2)• Acts as a resource to other departments and disciplines within hospital and community.

   3)• Participates in formal or informal educational programs regarding diabetes-related topics..     

  4)• Maintains knowledge of current developments, trends and techniques in diabetes management and education and makes recommendations regarding use in diabetes program Incorporates activities of quality improvement to ensure positive patient outcomes.

  •     1)• Participates in formulating, implementing, and evaluating continuous quality improvement activities for the diabetes education program and materials.
  •     2)• Participates in professional organizations related to the subspecialty in order to promote and maintain current standards of care and patient education.
  •     3)• Participates in diabetes advisory committee and others as requested.
  •     4)• Recognizes the opportunity to integrate research findings into nursing care and education of patients with diabetes.
  Licensure, Registration, and/or Certification Required:

• 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, and
• Diabetes Educator (CDE)certification issued by the National Certification Board for Diabetes Educators (NCBDE) needs to be obtained within 2 years.

Education Required:

• Bachelor's Degree (or equivalent knowledge) in Nursing, or
• Bachelor's Degree (or equivalent knowledge) in Dietetics.

Experience Required:

• 3 years Dietitian role with advanced clinical and technical knowledge of Diabetes.
• Associate degree in nursing with 4 years experience in adult and pediatric diabetes education within a diabetes program or a diabetes-related position; Bachelor of Science in Nursing with 3 years experience is required.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities Required:

• Excellent interpersonal and group communication skills.
• Maintains a high degree of professional competence by ongoing education and membership in professional organizations.
• Ability to effectively communicate with patients, 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. May be exposed to road and weather hazards.
• Hours will vary according to patients needs.
• Operates all equipment necessary to perform the job.

This job description indicates the general nature and level of work expected of the incumbent. It is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities required of the incumbent. Incumbent may be required to perform other related duties.