Certified Diabetes Educator

The Certified Diabetes Educator provides clinical expertise in the education and health care services related to diabetes management and other chronic issues under the guidance of and collaboration with physicians.

Job Relationships
Reports to the Operations Manager

Principal Responsibilities

• Provide outpatient diabetes and self-management education and training in group and individual class settings to type 1, type 2 and gestational diabetic patients and their families and/or caregivers. Education includes, but is not limited to new onset education, self-management for type 2, gestational diabetes management, insulin self-monitoring and injection, pattern management, pump inquiry, advanced/refresher pump class, and continuous glucose monitoring.
• Develop education materials for all individual and group patient education sessions. Evaluate and update education materials and teaching methods, as appropriate, for patients, their families and/or caregivers. This requires staying on top of changing medications, devices and methods of treatment.
• Monitor and evaluate short and long-term patient responses to therapeutic interventions; assess, monitor, and implement treatment plans for patients at various stages of diabetes, in collaboration with providers. This includes regularly assisting providers with blood sugar review and medication adjustments.
• Provide nutritional and exercise counseling, as needed, for weight control and disease management.
• Manage and triage urgent diabetes care issues in collaboration with providers.
• Provide telephone consultation to patients as needed.
• Develop collaborative relationships with other departments, services, and community health care agencies to facilitate and support quality diabetes care.
• Participate in training and education of nursing staff in specific diabetes and related clinical procedures; provides in-service training and community education through presentations and written information.
• Maintain professional growth and development through research, seminars/workshops and professional affiliations to keep abreast of latest trends in field of expertise. Participate in care conferences with physician and other health care professionals.
• Work collaboratively with physicians and administration regarding process and quality improvement of diabetes educational programs and services.
• May work as a Health Care Assistant according to hospital policy.
• Perform all functions of the RN job description, as appropriate and if licensed to do so.
• Comply with the Springfield Clinic incident reporting policy and procedures.
• Adhere to all OSHA and Springfield Clinic training and accomplishments as required per policy.
• Provide excellent customer service and adhere to Springfield Clinic's Code of Conduct and Ethics Standards.
• Perform other job duties as assigned.

Education/Experience

• Bachelor of Science in Nursing from an accredited college/university or Bachelor's degree from an accredited university providing curriculum approved by the Commission on Accreditation for Dietetics Education of the American Dietetic Association required.

Licenses/Certificates

• Current licensure as a RN in the State of IL or Registered Dietitian with the Commission on Dietetic Registration required.
• CPR per American Heart Association guidelines required within 30 days of hire.
• Current CDE certification through the National Certification Board of Diabetes Educators.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Flexibility in schedules for weekend and evening education.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to work effectively with a wide range of constituencies in a diverse community.
• Ability to develop, deliver, evaluate and update comprehensive education programs and materials.
• Requires ongoing knowledge of all current diabetes medications and new medications as they become available for patient use.
• Expertise and ability to provide training and education in all diabetes technology including pumps, sensors and other new technology as it becomes available.

Working Environment

• Indoor in office environment or hospital setting.
• Sitting 80%, standing 20%.

PHI/Privacy Level
HIPAA1