Certified Diabetes Educator

GENERAL SUMMARY:

The Certified Diabetes Educator serves as an expert in the areas of routine and complex diabetes education and self-management skills as it applies to patients with diabetes of all ages. This includes specialized and/or risk assessment, goal setting, determining and implementing evidence-based interventions, evaluating the patient's response to care and progress towards goals, state of the art education and intervention, follow-up evaluation and outcome measurement. Along with a diabetic caseload, this clinician also develops and maintains strong physician and hospital relationships, contributing to the strength of the glycemic management program.

PRINCIPAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

1. *Commits to the mission, vision, beliefs and consistently demonstrates our core values.

2. *Assesses patient needs by identifying barriers to learning, preferred ways of learning, and valued goals, and incorporates these into the education plan.

3. *Assesses patient and family knowledge and skill, establishes mutual behavioral goals, formulates an education plan, provides a means to accomplish these goals, and documents actions and response in accordance to Bryan policy.

4. *Incorporates cultural considerations into the plan/ delivery of care.

5. *Implements patient and family education (group and individualized) in all aspects of diabetes care, according to the 15 content areas of the National Standards for Diabetes Education, and in conjunction with all American Diabetes Association requirements for an ADA Recognized program.

6. *Maintains a state-of-the-art approach to diabetes care, self-management training and age specific education based on the progression from basic survival skills to advance information for daily self-management.

7. *Collaborates with members of the interdisciplinary health team to define and achieve patient and family goals.

8. *Identifies barriers or systemic problems that impair the ability to meet patient, physician, and program goals and contributes to the resolution of barriers/problems.

9. Collaborates with Directors and/or Nurse Managers to develop strategic plans related to glycemic management across interdisciplinary lines.

10. Continuously works with providers and Medical Center staff to refine, expand, and enhance glycemic management program goals, strategies, and clinical outcomes.

11. *Participates in data collection and analysis for ongoing program evaluation.

12. *Facilitates and coaches clinical staff in the implementation of patient education, discharge planning, and other relevant practices relating to glycemic management.

13. *Serves as a consultant to ensure continuity of care, "best practice," and systems improvement for nurses, patients/families, health-care disciplines, and/or the community at-large.

14. Serves as a role model to colleagues, students and other care providers.

15. Commits to self-directed professional development for knowledge, competence, and experience pertinent to work responsibilities.

16. Performs other related projects and duties as assigned.

(Essential Job functions are marked with an asterisk "*". Refer to the Job Description Guide for the definition of essential and non-essential job functions.) Attach Addendum for positions with slightly different roles or work-specific differences as needed.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

1. Maintains clinical competency as required for the unit of assignment including but not limited to age-specific competencies relative to patient's growth and developmental needs and annual skill competency verification.

2. Knowledge of federal and state regulations related to clinical applications and relative practice area.

3. Knowledge of diabetes care/management, diabetes education and patient training.

4. Knowledge of computer hardware equipment and software applications relevant to work functions.

5. Knowledge of hospital, staff and community based agencies and resources appropriate to support patient needs and family education.

6. Ability to maintain regular and punctual attendance.

7. Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.

8. Ability to maintain confidentiality of patient information.

9. Ability to exercise professional judgment, courtesy and tact in daily interactions with others.

10. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with health care team members and diverse patient populations.

11. Ability to prioritize work demands and work with minimal supervision.

12. Ability to work in a fast-paced environment relevant to changing patient needs, including working with patients with acute, chronic, and complex disease processes.

13. Skill in patient teaching and communication methods.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

Current Registered Nurse licensure from the State of Nebraska or approved compact state of residence as defined by the Nebraska Nurse Practice Act. Minimum of two (2) years' experience in clinical practice required. Certified Diabetes Educator certification preferred.

OR

Bachelor's degree in Dietetics or Food and Nutrition with post baccalaureate internship resulting in registration by the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) as a Registered Dietitian (RD). Current Licensed Medical Nutrition Therapist (LMNT) licensure from the state of Nebraska required. Minimum of two (2) years' experience in clinical practice required. Certified Diabetes Educator certification preferred.

OTHER CREDENTIALS / CERTIFICATIONS:

Basic Life Support (CPR) certification required.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

(Physical Requirements are based on federal criteria and assigned by Human Resources upon review of the Principal Job Functions.)

(DOT) - Characterized as light work requiring exertion up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects.