Diabetes Educator RD
Ames-IA-50010-United States
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Position Summary
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Under general supervision, provides an accessible, therapeutic and systematic learning experience for people with diabetes and/or nutritional needs and their families. This learning experience is based on individual needs with promotion and maintenance of self-care management, optimal health and quality of life.
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Ensures all actions taken in carrying out responsibilities support patient centered care.
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Position Responsibilities
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Unit Specific Position Responsibilities
- Participates in precepting and mentoring while providing education / orientation to staff, students, and others.
- Obtains a comprehensive nutritional assessment from patient and/or family.
- Identifies patient/family’s specific diabetes self-management needs, goals, and specific behavioral changes.
- Develops and implements an individualized plan of care based on assessment of the patient/family’s assessed learning needs, abilities, learning preferences, and readiness to learn.
- Educates patient and/or family about all aspects of diabetes and diabetic health care, including:
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diabetes disease processes and treatment options;
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incorporating appropriate nutritional management
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incorporating physical activity into lifestyle;
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self-monitoring of blood glucose and urine ketones (when appropriate), and using results to improve control;
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preventing, detecting, and treating acute complications;
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preventing (through risk reduction behavior), detecting and treating chronic complications;
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integrating psychosocial adjustment into daily life; and
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management during pregnancy and gestational diabetes management (if applicable);
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goal setting to promote health and problem solving for daily living; and
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available health and community resources.
- Provides follow-up evaluation of the patient/family’s attainment of identified self-management goals by telephone and/or office visits.
- Prepares, reviews, and maintains current instructional materials/presentations on diabetes and nutrition related topics and utilizes only those approved by Mary Greeley Medical Center’s Diabetes Center.
- Provides other nutritional care services based on assessing patient’s needs, including:
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counseling on good nutrition by assessing diet history and food habits;
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developing and implementing individualized plans of care;
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determining appropriate calorie levels for diets;
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evaluating nutrient adequacies and making recommendations; and
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counseling on special diets to assure proper preparation and consumption of nourishments;
- Consults with physicians, nurses, and other health care professionals as appropriate, concerning patient’s progress.
- Documents and maintains complete data/information in patient’s record.
- Demonstrates blood, glucose monitoring, prepares equipment for finger stick testing of blood sugars, and performs Quality Control monitoring as required by lab guidelines.
- Arranges for needed patient testing.
- Directs patients in making follow-up appointments and purchasing equipment and supplies.
- Completes charge cards in a timely manner and identifies correct CPT codes.
- Takes into consideration the age, growth and development of the patient when planning and providing care.
- Responds to and refers incoming telephone calls in a timely manner.
- Participates in community diabetes and nutritional education projects, programs and screenings.
- Remains knowledgeable in disease processes and treatment modalities as they relate to diabetes.
- Remains knowledgeable in various medical conditions, dietary deficiencies, and nutrition and dietary principles as they relate to the nutritional care of patients for health maintenance.
- Remains knowledgeable in various ADA standards/guidelines and various billing and insurance requirements.
- Participates in the development and maintenance of Diabetes Education Center’s procedure manuals and documentation forms.
- Maintains timely flow of patients through the department and education program(s).
- Represents department and serves on various committees, teams, and boards as assigned or on a volunteer basis.
- Cooperates as a member of the department and overall hospital team.
- Treats each contact (patient, family member, visitor, physician, staff member, etc.) as the most important person of the moment by friendly acknowledgement, responsiveness, and courtesy.
- Maintains regular and reliable attendance.
- Performs related work per orientation and position competency checklists and skills validation.
- Respects diversity and individualizes care to meet the unique needs of the patient.
- Establishes partnerships with patients, families, support systems, and other providers, utilizing in-person and electronic communications, to reach a shared goal of delivering health care.
- Promotes healing and health in a way that builds a relationship with the patient.
- Collects comprehensive data pertinent to the patient and/or the situation.
- Analyzes the assessment data to determine the nutrition related health issues.
- Identifies expected outcomes for a plan individualized to the patient or the situation.
- Develops a plan that prescribes strategies and alternatives to attain expected outcomes
- Implements the identified plan.
- Employs strategies to promote health and a safe environment.
- Evaluates progress toward attainment of outcomes.
- Maintains and improves the healthcare practice environment conducive to the provision of quality health care.
- Attains knowledge and competence that reflects current dietetics practice.
- Maintains professional competence.
- Continually reassesses competencies and identifies needs for additional knowledge, skills, personal growth, and integrative learning experiences
- Integrates evidence and research findings into practice.
- Contributes to quality dietetics practice.
- Demonstrates leadership in the professional practice setting and the profession.
- Practices in an environmentally safe and healthy manner.
- Participates in quality improvement and patient safety and customer service activities, including outcome monitoring.
- Maintains a safe and clean environment.
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Qualifications, Knowledge & Experience
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Required Qualifications (Including any licensure, certification, education):
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Registered and Licensed as dietitian in State of Iowa.
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Ability to demonstrate clinical competence and maintain current knowledge in caring for adolescent through geriatric patients.
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Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.
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Skill in effective oral and written communication in English.
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Knowledge of basic arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
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Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
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Active Listening skills, giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
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BLS training or within 90 days of hire and must maintain throughout employment.
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Anyone hired after 01.01.2020 will require a CDCES certification. Those hired before 01.01.2020 will be required to get the CDCES certification upon renewal.
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Mandatory Reporter training within 90 days of hire and must maintain throughout employment.
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Organizational Requirements:
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Maintain stroke education per regulatory requirements.
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Preferred Qualifications:
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Professional certification as Certified Diabetes Educator.
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Required Knowledge, Skills & Experience:
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Knowledge of nutrition and dietary principles to direct high quality nutritional care.
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Knowledge of instructional skills and educational techniques to influence and guide proper care of diabetes patients for optimal health.
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Ability to read, write, speak and understand the English language; to demonstrate basic computer skills; to read and understand chart documentation; and, to keep current with diabetes research and treatment modalities, changes in diabetes self-management, dietary deficiencies, and changes in nutrition and dietary principles.
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Ability to communicate effectively in a professional and tactful manner with physicians, staff, patients and/or their representatives.
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Ability to publicly present information to physicians, members of the care team, and others as appropriate.
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Ability to be self-directed, flexible, and able to adapt to change.
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Ability to communicate effectively, in English, with diverse population groups.
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Ability to pursue and foster a sense of team and partnership across all disciplines.
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Preferred Knowledge, Skills & Experience:
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One year experience in educating persons with diabetes and nutritional needs.
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