Registered Dietitian, Diabetes Education Program; DEP

Job Description – Registered Dietitian, Diabetes Education Program (DEP) Position Summary

Taddle Creek Diabetes DEP is a part of Taddle Creek Family Health Team (TC FHT). The DEP serves both TC FHT patients and patients/physicians in the community. Our goal is to provide people living with diabetes, or at risk of developing diabetes and their families, the knowledge and skills needed to self-manage.

As a member of the DEP the Registered Dietitian (RD) provides clinical care and education to people living with and at risk of developing diabetes. The RD participates in the development, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of the DEP.

The RD has a sound knowledge base regarding the prevention, care and management of diabetes and practices within an interdisciplinary model. The RD utilizes self-management principles and practices patient-centered care. The RD acts as an expert in the areas of medical nutrition therapy and lifestyle changes for the management and prevention of diabetes. The RD is responsible for providing individual counseling and facilitating group education classes.

It will be important that the RD works collaboratively with the DEP, as well as with patients and their families.

All performance and conduct of duties shall be carried out in accordance with TC FHT policies/procedures, professional practice standards and required legislation (e.g. Diabetes Canada, Regulated Health Professions Act).

• Caseload: aim is to see 7-8 patients per day
• Practices in accordance with a patient self-management model to assist people living with diabetes to achieve their optimum level of health and quality of life
• Partners with patients and their families to enable them to design and manage their own individualized diabetes protocols/plans (e.g. establishes goals with patients)
• Collaborates directly with other DEP clinicians to form comprehensive care plans with the patient
• Maintains open communication and works closely with FHT and community primary care providers (PCP) on patient care issues
• Provides blood glucose monitoring training and pattern management guidance to patients
• Provides education around insulin initiation, titration, and other injectable therapies as prescribed by PCP
• Suggests medication adjustments to achieve optimal glycemic control and recognizes inappropriate medication orders
• Assesses patient educational needs by identifying physical, social and or emotional needs that may influence the education process and the long-term outcomes
• Evaluates patient comprehension and progress of their care plan by reviewing clinical and learning outcomes
• Accurately and professionally completes documentation in a timely manner using the DEP Custom Form in EMR
• Recommends appropriate follow up and provides community resources for patients to access
• Networks with RNs to create partnerships and receive support within the diabetes education community

• Plans, implements and evaluates patient and clinician group education
• Facilitates various group education classes for patients and clinicians
• Assists patients/FHT health professionals to use diabetic resources
• Prepares written diabetes educational pieces (for FHT newsletter or bulletin board/displays)
• Maintains own academic qualifications and participates in self‑directed learning to ensure their practice remains relevant (by attending professional conferences, e‑learning and journal reviews)

• Ability to work in an inter‑professional/collaborative care team environment
• Ability to mentor clinicians, and students within your scope of practice
• Strong clinical skills in diabetes self‑management education
• Excellent organizational skills (e.g flexible, good time mgt)
• Communic…