Diabetes Care and Education Specialist, Endocrinology, 40 Hours, 4 Days Per Week

Hours:  40 Hours, 4 Days Per Week

The diabetes care and education specialist (DCES) delivers comprehensive and seamless services that bridge the gap and integrate clinical and self-management aspects of diabetes and cardiometabolic care. The DCES is an integral part of the inter-professional team and provides collaborative, comprehensive and person-centered care, and education conducive to behavior change and improved quality of life across the lifespan. The DCES supports and advocates for people affected by diabetes to optimize quality care. The DCES promotes self-management to achieve individualized behavioral and treatment goals that reduce risks and optimize health outcomes.  

Essential Functions

Outpatient Services:

• Completes comprehensive assessments for each patient including emotional and behavioral health, interprets personal health data, develops an individualized care plan based on the patient’ assessed needs and goals and promotes successful self-management, develop, update, and implement policies and procedures as required by the HIPAA Security Rule and other state and federal regulations.
• Partners with individuals to deliver care and education conducive to behavior change and improved quality of life for self-management of diabetes and cardiometabolic conditions across the lifespan. (15 yo or older).
• Accurately documents all patient encounters in the Electronic Health Record in a timely manner.
• Participates in the development of a standardized diabetes education curriculum in coordination with all key stakeholders.  Education is developed, planned and implemented in accordance with the most current AADE National Standards for Diabetes Self-Management Education.
• Integrates skills and knowledge of pathophysiology, epidemiology, clinical management, cardiometabolic conditions, and self-management of diabetes into clinical practice.
• Maintains records of continuing education requirements of diabetes educators in accordance to the AADE guidelines for maintaining nationally recognized certification program.
• Applies the AADE7 self-care behaviors to educate on and initiate behavior change.
• Reviews blood glucose logs and makes recommendations for medication changes in coordination with Diabetes Center providers.
• Provides quality diabetes self-management education and medical nutrition therapy (limited to Registered Dietitians) in individual and group settings based on assessed needs. Utilizes appropriate teaching techniques that are sensitive to the learning preferences of the person with prediabetes or diabetes.
• Advocates for and communicates about improved quality of care and outcomes for those living with, at risk for, and affected by diabetes and cardiometabolic conditions.
• Collaborates, advocates, and confers other members of the diabetes care team in developing person-centered diabetes plans.
• Advocates for and supports technology-enabled diabetes education and care, in individual and population health diabetes services.
• Conducts brief, impromptu diabetes education where necessary in support of providers working in the Diabetes Center.
• Crafts treatment plans that allow for monitoring of short and long term patient's response to education.  Provides and maintains necessary educational follow-up for patients and families.
• Collaborates with community partners to establish and maintain on-going support options.
• Participates in training of RD/RN working towards certified diabetes educator certifications.
• Actively participates in the quality improvement (QI) process and adapts practice/process based on QI findings.
• Contributes to the achievement of established department goals and objectives and adheres to department policies, procedures, quality standards and safety standards. Complies with governmental and accreditation regulations.
• Participates in meetings, serves on committees, and represents the department and hospital/facility in community outreach efforts as appropriate (ex: P&T committee Diabetes Planning, Patient Care Assessment Committee, Nursing Executive Committee).

Inpatient Services

• Collaborates, advocates, and confers with other members of the diabetes care team in developing person-centered diabetes plans.
• Provides education to patients and their families identified as benefitting from diabetes education in preparation for transition of care to promote diabetes self-management on a consultative basis.
• Partners with Nurse Leaders on inpatient units to create and maintain diabetes education toolboxes.
• Provide educational sessions as needed to support nursing staff, physicians and hospitalists to enhance skills in diabetes management of hospitalized patients in accordance to the Joint Commission Certification ADA national standards for diabetes care.

Community Services

• Oversees community health projects as a speaker and/or resource to support preventative health efforts and diabetes awareness.
• Oversees the coordination of a variety of community educational programs and events partnering with local schools and organizations to support community-wide efforts for promoting diabetes and health awareness.
• Other relevant duties as assigned.

Statement of Other Duties:
This document describes the major duties and responsibilities for this job, and is not intended to be a complete list of all tasks and functions. It should be understood, therefore, that employees may be asked to perform job-related duties beyond those explicitly described.

Minimum Qualifications and Education Requirements:

• Licensed Registered Nurse or Pharmacist; or Dietitian or Dietitian Nutritionist holding active registration with the Commission on Dietetic Registration; or Health Educator holding active certification as a Master Certified Health Education Specialist from the National Commission for Health Education Credentialing

• Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist or BC-ADM credential required within 18 months of hire.
• 15 Continuing Education Units required within 3 months of hire.
• Diabetes self-management education and support experience preferred.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills. 
• Basic computer skills including use of Microsoft Office. 
• Has working knowledge of diabetes technology.  
• Highly organized and strong attention to detail.
• Strong problem solving and critical thinking skills.
• Must be able to work with a diverse patient population and have exceptional customer service skills.

Working Conditions/Physical Requirements:

• Regular job attendance is an essential job function.
• May be required to travel to various locations as needed. Reliable transportation may be required.
• Working at another site and/or other departments or programs may be required (outpatient/inpatient).
• Direct Patient Care/Contact: Exposure to patients, visitors, and family members with a variety of physical and psychiatric/mental health conditions. Visual acuity including color vision. Ability to hear and orally communicate. Ability to read, comprehend, and write English language. Manual dexterity.
• Exerts up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects.  Frequently reaches (extending hands and arms in any direction), and handles (seizing, holding, grasping, turning, or working with hands). Some skills/physical requirements can be altered and appropriate accommodations or use of adaptive equipment will be made in accordance with the ADA.