Diabetes Care and Education Specialist

HealthPartners • Saint Paul, MN

1d

About The Position

The Diabetes Care and Education Specialist (DCES) is a Registered Nurse or Registered Dietitian with advanced knowledge of diabetes care, including nutrition interventions. The DCES provides direct care, education, and support to people across the lifespan, helping them achieve personalized nutrition, behavior, and treatment goals. Using evidence-based strategies and collaborative care planning, the specialist promotes self-management, reduces risks, and improves health outcomes.

As a member of the care team, the DCES works closely with managing clinicians to provide integrated, person-centered care and serves as a resource for the broader care team. The specialist follows a structured approach of assessing, planning, implementing, and evaluating care, consistent with the RN scope of practice or the Scope and Standards of Practice for Credentialed Dietetic Professionals and HealthPartners protocols. Diabetes education programs in ambulatory settings must also meet the standards of the accrediting organization. Team members support HealthPartners’ mission, vision, and values and follow organizational policies and procedures while maintaining patient confidentiality and rights.

The schedule is Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in nursing or nutrition and/or dietetics, with 2 years of prior experience in diabetes care and education; or an associate’s degree in nursing with 4 years of prior experience in diabetes care and education.
• For RN candidates: current Registered Nurse license in Minnesota or Wisconsin upon hire; provide proof of application for the alternate state license before starting, obtain it within 30 days of hire, and maintain both state licenses.
• For RDN candidates: dietetic registration through the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) and a current dietetic license in Minnesota or Wisconsin upon hire; provide proof of application for the alternate state license before starting, obtain it within 90 days of hire, and maintain both state licenses.
• Current national certification as a Certified Diabetes Care & Education Specialist (CDCES), or ability to become certified within 24 months of hire.
• Current BLS certification for health professionals through the American Heart Association or Red Cross; must be maintained. Online BLS certification is not accepted.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills and ability to uphold clinical standards and professional ethics under the Nurse Practice Act or Scope and Standards for Credentialed Dietetic Professionals.
• Critical thinking, sound decision-making, ability to work independently, and ability to contribute to a collaborative team environment.
• Ability to provide compassionate, professional care and interact tactfully and diplomatically with patients, families, and clinic staff.
• Ability to assess patient education needs and communicate relevant information clearly to patients, families, and care teams.
• Planning, prioritization, and task-completion skills, with the ability to remain calm and focused under pressure.
• Proficiency with electronic medical records and Microsoft Office (Outlook, Teams, Word, and Excel), and strong keyboarding skills.

Nice To Haves

• 4 years of prior experience in diabetes care and education.
• Professional association membership in the American Diabetes Association (ADA) and/or the Association of Diabetes Care and Education Specialists (ADCES).
• Familiarity with Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support (DSMES), the ADCES7 Self-Care Behaviors, and the ADA Standards of Care.

Responsibilities

• Provide direct diabetes care, education, and support across the lifespan.
• Help individuals with diabetes reach personalized goals related to nutrition, behavior, and treatment.
• Use evidence-based strategies and collaborative care planning to promote self-management, reduce risks, and improve health outcomes.
• Work closely with managing clinicians to deliver integrated, person-centered care and serve as a resource for the broader care team.
• Assess, plan, implement, and evaluate care in accordance with the applicable professional scope and standards and HealthPartners protocols.
• Meet applicable accrediting standards for diabetes education programs in ambulatory settings.
• Support HealthPartners’ mission, vision, and values; follow organizational policies and procedures; and maintain patient confidentiality and rights.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level