Diabetes Nutrition Educator

GENERAL SUMMARY:   Provides comprehensive, high quality nutrition care to patients via the Medical Center, clinics, and related entities that include patient care, teaching, research, and community service.  Collaborates with the RN CDE. Serves as a role model by practicing exemplary behaviors, and committing to the highest standard of customer relations when working with patients, visitors, and fellow staff members. Complies with all appropriate safety and infection control standards.  Participates in quality management and continuous quality improvement activities.  Performs all job duties and responsibilities in a courteous and customer-focused manner according to the Hurley Family Standards of Behavior.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED: Works under the general direction of the Clinical Coordinator or designee, who reviews work for effectiveness and adherence to standards.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED: Exercises supervision over dietetic interns and volunteers. Serves as a resource to clinical dietitians, nursing personnel, resident staff, and other health professionals throughout the Medical Center and surrounding communities.

RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES: 

1. Provides quality medical nutrition therapy based on patient expectation and needs.
   1. Conducts a thorough individualized nutrition and diabetes education assessment
   2. Collaboratively develops an individualized education plan with patient
   3. Communicates, coordinates, monitors and documents plan
   4. Assesses outcomes of intervention and revises as needed 
2. Provides quality nutrition and diabetes counseling.
   1. Uses motivational interviewing
   2. Demonstrates understanding of stages of behavior change and ability to counsel clients through the stages
   3. Assess readiness to learn and patient perceived needs
   4. Facilitate patient experiences that assist in achieving identified goals 
   5. Updates educational materials as needed to assure accurate, current and evidence based content and assuring specialized diabetes care is state of the art
3. Demonstrates good written and verbal communication skills.
   1. Documents according to standards of Hurley Diabetes Center via EPIC, using Nutrition Care Process
   2. Engages patients in individual or group classes using variety of interactive methods (PowerPoint, demonstration, teach back)
4. Strengthens professionalism of nutrition practice
   1. Adheres to professional code of ethics of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
   2. Participates in special projects and committees as assigned for diabetes and wellness programs and agreeing to scheduling flexibility based on needs of the department
   3. Assumes responsibility for yearly ceu’s as required to maintain certifications
   4. Mentor to dietetic interns in diabetes rotation of Hurley Dietetic Internship and develops curriculum and completes evaluations 
   5. Collaborate with multidisciplinary team 
   6. Meet with sales representatives to keep up to date on knowledge of new technology and medications 
   7. Participate in continuous quality improvement efforts and research projects
5. Adheres to department and hospital standards of practice including Federal, State, and Joint Commission on the Accreditation of Health Care Operations (JCAHO) regulations.
6. Demonstrates effective judgment and ability to understand, react competently, and adjust teaching methods to best serve the patient.
7. Performs other related duties as required.  Utilizes new improvements and/or technologies that relate to job assignment.

MINIMUM ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS: 

• Baccalaureate degree in dietetics and nutrition.
• Registered Dietitian (credentialed with the Commission on Dietetic Registration for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics).
• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
• Ability to speak in front of large groups.
• Ability to maintain accurate and current reports and records.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective and harmonious working relationships with Medical Center staff, patients, families, physicians, and the general public.

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Employee must become a Certified Diabetes Educator (credentialed with the National Certification Board of Diabetes Educators) within two (2) years from date of appointment to this position or the employee may be terminated.
• Master’s degree is preferred.