Diabetes Educator/Registered Dietitian

Riverside Hospital•Newport News, VA

About The Position

Responsible for teaching outpatient diabetes self-management skills and nutritional education in group classes and/or one-to-one settings. Provides inpatient basic diabetes self-management and/or nutrition education according to departmental criteria. The role plans, prioritizes, and delivers education programs aligned with American Diabetes Association objectives, RDS guidelines, and identified needs, and provides individualized, evidence-based recommendations in accordance with departmental policies and guidelines. The position contributes to development and delivery of programs and curricula covering diabetes self-management and education, weight management, Ask the Educator, prediabetes, nutrition, CGM, and the CDC Diabetes Prevention Program. It also supports inpatient diabetes education and documentation, responds to consults and priority cases such as high A1c results and newly diagnosed patients, and collaborates with nursing, providers, and other team members. The employee maintains professional competency through continuing education, meetings, conferences, and participation in performance improvement and community education activities.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in nutrition, dietetics, or a related field, or graduation from a nursing program.
High school diploma or GED is required only for nursing diploma graduates.
Registered Dietitian (RD) credential through the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR), required upon hire; or Registered Nurse (RN) license from the Virginia Department of Health Professions or a compact state, required upon hire.
Certified Diabetes Educator (CDE) or Certified Diabetes Care and Educational Specialist certification, required within three years.
Demonstrated professional competency and ability to assess patient needs and adapt care accordingly.
Ability to use electronic records and complete required documentation.

Nice To Haves

Two years of dietitian or nursing experience.
Participation in diabetes community programs and health fairs, including the American Diabetes Tour de Cure.

Responsibilities

Plan, prioritize, and implement educational programs that comply with American Diabetes Association objectives, RDS guidelines, and other identified needs.
Present educational offerings clearly and complete curricula within designated timeframes.
Perform at least one diabetes-related performance improvement activity.
Communicate effectively with clients, families, and the interdisciplinary team, incorporating client and family rights into practice.
Participate in developing curricula for DSMT, DSME, weight management, Ask the Educator, prediabetes, nutrition, CGMs, and the CDC DPP.
Perform and assess two or more CGM insertions or downloads and assist with prepump classes.
Actively participate in the DPP program at least once per year and participate in Ask the Educator activities.
Assess, implement, and evaluate treatments and provide individualized patient recommendations in accordance with departmental policies and guidelines.
Document in the EMR within 24 hours and demonstrate evidence-based competency, adapting care to individual patient needs.
Participate in diabetes community programs and health fairs, including the American Diabetes Tour de Cure, as encouraged.
Participate in one or more EVADE meetings per year and complete the social accountability report monthly.
Maintain professional standards through at least 15 hours of continuing education annually, attend client case conferences and staff meetings, and attend a local Certified Educator Conference yearly.
Submit monthly time and travel records according to policy and procedure.
Provide inpatient basic diabetes self-management and nutrition education and documentation, using electronic records.
Complete the inpatient list and data search within one hour, and use inpatient sheets to compile notes and next-day follow-ups.
Collaborate with nursing, providers, and team members to support patient care and patients' specialized diabetes needs.
Understand inpatient performance measures and teach inpatient units, staff, and providers about hypoglycemia, hyperglycemia, A1c, and the importance of diabetes education documentation.
Respond to consults, high A1c results, and newly diagnosed patients as priorities.
Use Riverside-approved educational materials and provide excellent service to patients, families, and other customers.
Connect patients and families with appropriate community resources, provide assistance to customers when assigned to another team member, and maintain awareness of community and RHS resources.