Diabetes & Nutrition Care Specialist

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Job Summary
Responsible for solely providing sound diabetes care and education to a wide variety of patient populations. The specialist assesses, plans, applies and evaluates medical nutrition therapy for individuals within the program and participates in program functions and activities.

Primary Job Responsibilities

• Assesses patients’ nutrition and learning needs and, if appropriate, caregiver learning needs, using lab values, one-on-one interview, physician orders and guidelines, written self-assessment and other information as available and appropriate.
• Develops an instructional plan and individualized meal plan based on assessed nutrition and learning needs.
• Instructs patients/caregivers on the meal plan individually or in group class using education resources and tools and teaching principals, methods and strategies appropriate to the age and learning abilities of the patient(s).
• Assesses patient/caregiver learning and revises the instructional plan and teaching strategies as needed to enhance learning.
• Uses behavior change principles and strategies to assist patients in setting behavior change goals.
• Documents teaching and learning in appropriate records and according to hospital, program and regulatory agency policies, requirements and guidelines.
• Works collaboratively with the program’s other educators through written documentation in the patient’s record, informal conferences, team teaching and other methods as appropriate to enhance patient learning.
• Communicates patient/caregiver learning needs and progress to the physician and other individuals as needed through documentation in the patient’s record, telephone contact, e-mail and progress notes/letters as appropriate.
• Participates in instructor meetings and serves as an active member of the Diabetes Advisory Committee.
• Follows programs policies and operating instructions.
• Follows procedures and processes to meet monthly goals and objectives and completion of CQI projects through data collection and maintenance of program certification and regulatory standards.
• Maintains current registry with the Commission of Dietetic Registration (CDR) and provides annual documentation to Coordinator and/ or Registered Nurse license.
• Maintains current Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist (CDCES) status or is knowledgeable of the requirements to become a CDCES and is taking steps to write the examination when eligible.
• Demonstrates job related aspects of patient safety to assure a safe environment, safe and effective use of equipment and technology, and decreased risk of potential adverse patient occurrences.
• Availability to work on weekends or evenings to complete time sensitive projects/ community functions.
• Continues to acquire knowledge of new technology for better patient outcomes.
• Engages in lifelong learning and serves as a role model of the profession.
• Partner with other care offices for patient educational needs to maintain patient centered care when needed.
• Demonstrates knowledge of and supports hospital mission, vision, value statements, standards, policies and procedures, operating instructions, confidentiality statements, corporate compliance plan, customer service standards, and the code of ethical behavior.

Departmental And Additional Job Responsibilities

• Performs other duties as assigned

JOB SPECIFICATIONS
EDUCATION

• Bachelor of Science in Food Science, Nutrition and/or Dietetics with a Registered Dietitian (RD) or Registered Nurse license (RN) from an accredited institution is required
• Certification as a Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist (CDCES) or be in the process of meeting the requirements to write the CDCES examination is required
• Current certification in Basic Life Support required

Experience

• Two years clinical experience related to diabetes and non-diabetes medical nutrition therapy is required
• Prior experience as a diabetes educator in an in-patient or out-patient setting is preferred
• Prior experience in individual and group out-patient counseling is desired

Essential Physical Abilities/Motor Skills

• Sedentary Work:
  Frequently required to…