RD Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist

Oregon Health & Science University•Portland, OR

4d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Harold Schnitzer Diabetes Health Center (HSDHC) is committed to advancing the health and wellbeing of children and adults diagnosed with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes and pre-diabetes. We cater to a diverse patient demographic, including those newly diagnosed with diabetes, individuals managing long-term diabetes, and patients requiring immediate care for new-onset diabetes. Access to HSDHC's services is seamlessly facilitated through both physician and provider referrals. As a pivotal component of our multidisciplinary team, the Registered Dietitian, Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist [Diabetes Educator] enhances diabetes management through expert delivery of Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT) and Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support (DSMES). This role demands dynamic interaction with patients and their families across various settings. In the ambulatory settings, the Diabetes Educator manages scheduled face-to-face and synchronous and asynchronous telemedicine consultations and group classes. May engage in comprehensive care management. This position works with the adult patient population.

Requirements

A Bachelor’s degree with specialization in dietetics, nutrition, institution management, or a closely-related field and completion of a pre-planned professional experience in dietetics at a facility approved by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND).
Registered Dietitian/Registered Dietitian Nutritionist with the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR)
Licensed Dietitian in the state of Oregon
The specialist must have documentation of successful completion of a specialty certification examination and maintain requirements for maintaining specialist credential.
In some circumstances a 1-year window to maintain a specialist credential via a specialty certification examination may be extended.
Strong passion for diabetes education.
Proficiency in the nutrition care process for both pediatric and adult patients, ensuring optimal nutrient intake based on individual needs.
Able to assess the nutrient composition of patients' meals and the impact of medications on nutrient and drug bioavailability.
Skilled in diagnosing malnutrition using Nutrition Focused Physical Exams.
Competent in administering medical nutrition therapy to enhance nutrient digestion, absorption, and metabolism.
Capable of making recommendations for medication adjustments related to nutrition to improve patient well-being, reduce hospital stays, and enhance cost-effectiveness of treatment plans.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree preferred – will consider other relevant degrees
2 or more years recent experience working with patients living with diabetes, their caregivers and families.
1 year experience working with diabetes technology (insulin pumps, sensors, etc.).
Spanish speaking preferred.

Responsibilities

Conduct comprehensive nutritional assessments including anthropometric measures, biochemical data, and nutrition-focused physical examinations.
Assess patient/family learning needs, including barriers to learning and the most effective teaching methods.
Educate patients and families on nutritional strategies to help manage diabetes, integrating standards of care into care plans.
Provide targeted medical nutrition therapy tailored to each patient’s diabetes condition and overall health status.
Continuously evaluate and document the effectiveness of nutrition interventions and patient progress.
Monitor patient outcomes relevant to nutritional interventions and adjust treatment plans to achieve optimal health results.
Ensure all aspects of nutritional care are well-documented, maintaining high standards of care and compliance.
Deliver critical initial education to patients newly diagnosed with diabetes or those experiencing significant changes in their condition, ensuring they receive essential survival skills for managing their disease.
Provide comprehensive diabetes self-management education and support in both individual and group settings, utilizing protocols and standards of care set by the American Diabetes Association (ADA) and the Association of Diabetes Care and Education Specialists (ADCES).
Educate patients on the effective use of diabetes technology devices such as glucometers, smartpens, and continuous glucose sensors.
Educate patients on the use of insulin and other diabetes-related injectable therapies.
Assist patients and their families in identifying achievable behavior goals and incorporate these into personalized teaching plans.
Maintain appropriate and timely documentation on all patient encounters.
Participate in community education initiatives aimed at raising awareness and understanding of diabetes management as requested.
Other Duties as Assigned