Diabetes Educator RD

How would you like to work in a place where your contributions and ideas are valued? A place where you can serve with compassion, pursue excellence and honor every voice? At Wellstar, our mission is simple, yet powerful: to enhance the health and well-being of every person we serve. We are proud to have become a shining example of what's possible when the brightest professionals dedicate themselves to making a difference in the healthcare industry, and in people's lives.

Work Shift

Day (United States of America)

This position reports directly to the Director of Diabetes services. Key responsibilities of the role include:
The Diabetes Educator/Dietitian is responsible for coordination of patient diabetes self-management and nutritional care through clinical assessment, education and documentation throughout all phases of diabetes related care. The Diabetes Educator/Dietitian is responsible for providing patient education with an understanding and awareness of age specific needs. Assesses the biological, emotional, developmental, psychological, nutritional and patient/family education needs in providing care to the patient and family.

Fosters continuity of the Nutrition Care Process across all phases of the continuum of care as recommended by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Provides nutrition education to patients, family, and/or members of the health care team on recommended nutrition intervention(s) to accomplish nutrition goals; which may include, but is not limited to any of the following topics: specialized diabetic diet, food selections, eating behaviors, and community nutrition resources.

Functions as a member of the diabetes self management team along with the patient, diabetes educator/nurse, family, social worker, administrative staff and physician. Education responsibilities may include inpatient and outpatient setting and may occur in an individual, small group or classroom environment. Serves as a diabetes resource on nutrition and diabetes management to persons and physicians within the staff and community.

The Diabetes Educator/Dietitian is able to independently perform job functions. Actively assess, evaluates and maintains professional development and competencies outlined in the position description. Participates in Wellstar and community events (e.g. ADA walk, Diabetes Day, Health and Benefit Fairs, etc.). Provides presentations to Wellstar departments, civic, and community partners.

• Develops, implements, and promotes quality services based on client expectation and needs.
• Collaborates with patient and/or family member, and health care team to assess DSMES (Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support) needs of patients.
• Provides services and establishes goals based on the identified needs of patients and/or family members.
• Applies knowledge and skills in developing, implementing and maintaining nutrition care plans
• Continuously evaluates DSMES processes and patient outcomes and implements quality practice by following system policies, procedures, and evidenced based research
• Provides care according to organizational ethics, licensure and Standards of Professional Practice for Dietetics Professionals
• Applies Joint Commission and/or regulatory standards in the provision of DSMES
• Utilized patient experience and empathy skills when interacting with patients and family members
• Participates in appropriate committees and team member huddles
• Engages in quality improvement iniatives and projects
  
  Provide medical nutrition therapy according to system policy and A.N.D. Nutrition Care Process practice standardsa. Utilizes the Nutrition Care Process when assessing patients
• Responsible for nutrition screen, assessment, diagnosis, intervention, and monitoring/evaluation of identified at risk patients
• Apply psycho-social, age appropriate, evidence-based nutrition care
• Document all patient encounters in the health care record in accordance with hospital and department policies and procedures
• Assess patients learning needs, barriers to learning, preferred learning styles and educational level and provides nutrition education accordingly
• Utilizes community resources through the continuum of care to foster positive patient outcomes
• Identifies expected outcomes of patient care Locates, reviews, and utilizes best practice research findings for their application in optimally managing a disease or condition and improving patient outcomes.
• Upholds all system/organizational/departmental policies and procedures and clinical competencies put forth by this job description and professional association including legal, regulatory and accreditation requirements and standards ensuring, by way of example, fulfilment of American Diabetes Association standards, Joint Comission Patient Safety Goals and Wellstar Health Systems safety absolutes.
• Participates in data collection and chart audits. Consults appropriate experts and uses appropriate resources and evidence to address…