Diabetes Educator

Children's National Hospital

6d•$73,195 - $121,971•Hybrid

About The Position

Children’s National Hospital offers one of the largest pediatric diabetes programs in the Mid-Atlantic region, providing comprehensive, personalized care for children and adolescents with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. This is a top-ranked program with a multidisciplinary approach, including endocrinologists, certified diabetes care and education specialists (CDCES), registered dieticians, behavioral health professionals, and psychologists. The Certified Diabetes Educator (CDE) will be responsible for the diabetes education and care of patients and families, including new onset and established diabetes, in children, adolescents, and young adults, in both inpatient and outpatient settings. The role involves individual and group education, patient education, and ongoing patient support in consultation with physician and advanced practice nursing staff. The CDE will perform complete educational and skills assessments for patients with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes managed on oral medications, insulin injections, and insulin pumps. They will provide diabetes self-management education to families through 1:1 sessions, group/classroom settings, and electronically (telephone/web-based). The CDE will assist in developing, documenting, and implementing education and treatment plans, evaluating and meeting patient and family learning needs. Follow-up with patients to evaluate learning goal achievement and assist families with diabetes self-care decisions, including meal planning/carbohydrate counting, exercise planning, daily schedule adjustments, responding to high and low blood sugar readings, and other questions. The CDE will also assist families with sick day management guidelines and coordinate resources. This role supports research-based projects and helps maintain the American Diabetes Association certification for Children's National's Diabetes Education Program at the Sheikh Zayed campus. Participation in school-based staff in-service days and diabetes clinics at all Children's National satellite clinic locations is also required. All practice is based on the legal scope of practice, national and specialty CDE standards, Children's National Policies and Procedures, and in accordance with all applicable laws and regulations. Children's National supports the development of CDE relationships within the community, specifically those associated with the health and well-being of the community at large.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in nursing or nutrition science or related (Required)
One year of pediatric diabetes related experience. (Required)
Registered Nurse (Required) Or Licensed Dietitian/Nutritionist (Required)
Certified Diabetes Educator (CDE) Certification as a diabetes educator through the American Diabetes Association within 1 Year (Required)

Nice To Haves

1 year Experience with managing patient on insulin pumps and use of CGM systems (Preferred)

Responsibilities

Participate and promote family/patient and staff education; participate in CQI of educational process to determine opportunities for improvement; present at hospital, community, and national educational forums regarding the education/care of children and adolescents with diabetes as opportunities present.
Educate patients/families with newly diagnosed and established diabetes (Type, 2, CFR, and secondary) according to the 10 Standards of practice for Diabetes Educators (Assessment, Use of Resources, Planning, Implementation, Documentation, Evaluation & Outcome Multidisciplinary Collaboration, Professional Development, Professional Accountability, and Ethics).
Educate patients/families in the 10 content areas specified by the AADE, as appropriate (Disease Process, Nutritional Management, Physical Activity, Medications, Acute Complications, Risk Reduction, Goal setting/Problem Solving, Psychosocial Adjustment, and Preconceptual Care).
Assist patient/family to educate other caretakers, including school staff, to ensure a safe transition to outpatient setting and optimal functioning in school setting.
Provide on-call diabetes education on weekends and holidays.
Obtain continuing education in topics specified by the National Standards (diabetes management, behavioral intervention, teaching, learning, and counseling).
Download blood sugar meters, start CGMs and collaborate with MD to interpret results and change therapy, as needed.
Maintain current knowledge and skills related to diabetes self-management products and educational materials.
Assist in developing tools/forms, as needed, to document teaching learning process per National Standards.
Maintain skills in computer software used for diabetes care and education.
Participate in daily morning huddles and departmental and diabetes team meetings.
Facilitate patient flow and download blood glucose meters at diabetes clinics as needed.
Recognize abnormal diabetes lab results and takes appropriate action in collaboration with MD.
Provide phone triage/point of contact for patients/families, schools, and other community organizations on a daily basis.
Communicate effectively and regularly with diabetes team members about patient/family strengths/needs.
Collaborate with nursing staff, diabetes team, and other health care professionals in the planning, provision, and evaluation of patient/family education and implementation of system change related to diabetes care/education.
Interpret the intent of diabetes policies in the hospital and community in an understandable and non-biased manner to staff and families.
Develop and maintain working relationships with diabetes product representatives in the community.
Participate to maintain ADA Program recognition and attend yearly Advisory Committee meetings.
Establish patient care/education priorities to best meet the needs of patients, staff, and hospital responsibilities.
Advance professional practice through active participation in ADA, AADE, and other organizations involved in the care of patients with diabetes.
Role model conflict management.