Diabetes Care & Education Specialist

Nevada System of Higher Education

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Diabetes Care & Education Specialist will demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age of patients served, including understanding their physical and psychological needs and responding appropriately. This role involves assessing patient conditions, developing and implementing care plans for diabetes self-management, and providing effective therapy across all age groups. The specialist will also provide instruction on insulin administration, insulin pumps, pattern management, and glucose sensors, counseling patients and families individually. Active participation in quality improvement activities, contributing to the diabetes educational training of staff and the community, and maintaining current knowledge in the field through continuous education are also key aspects of this position.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in food and nutrition or related field if dietitian OR bachelor’s degree in nursing or higher if registered nurse.
Current State of Illinois Registered Dietitian (RD) licensure as a Licensed Dietitian Nutritionist (LDN) OR Current State of Illinois Registered Nurse license.
Current CPR certification issued by the American Heart Association.
Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist (CDCES) required within two years of start date

Responsibilities

Demonstrates the knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age of patients served.
Assesses patient’s condition based upon observation and/or interview of patient, physician’s diagnosis, laboratory results and any other pertinent information.
Develops and implements a plan of care based on assessment diabetes self-management needs to patients and family members.
Utilizes relevant data and appropriate methods for estimating nutritional requirements and provides effective therapy for all age groups.
Updates this plan of care as needed based on changes in the patient’s medical condition.
Develops or identifies and utilizes appropriate professional materials required in the performance of primary duties.
Provides instruction on insulin and administration of insulin through subcutaneous injection utilizing appropriate educational materials.
Provides instruction on programming insulin pumps and pattern management utilizing appropriate educational materials.
Provides instruction on glucose sensors.
Counsels patients and/or families on the prescribed therapy in an individualized manner, utilizing appropriate education materials.
Actively participates in hospital and department quality improvement activities.
Contributes to the diabetes educational training of professional staff, colleagues, support staff, students and community when required.
Maintains knowledge of current trends and developments in the field by reading appropriate books, journals and other literature and attending related education meetings, programs, conferences, and seminars, completes independent continuing education (CEs) necessary to remain current in the field as a professional in specialty of diabetes.