Nurse Clinician Diabetes Resource Center

GENERAL SUMMARY: Assumes a direct role in assessing, educating, evaluating and planning diabetes self-management education for patients, family and significant others. Collaborates with nursing departments, Registered Dietitians and other health care personnel in diabetes education and treatment options. Provides nursing consultation for other HMC departments as it relates to diabetes and diabetes education. Collaborates with community agencies and performs related work as requested. Participates in quality assessment and continuous quality improvement activities. Complies with all appropriate safety and infection control standards. 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 Director for Health Status Improvement Initiatives, or designee, who reviews work primarily through conferences and reports. Position requires a self-directed approach to performing responsibilities and duties.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED: Monitors Registered Nurses and other health care providers at the Diabetes Center in the performance of achieving education outcomes. Ensures efficient resource utilization, and that the standards for quality self-management diabetes education programs set by the regulatory agencies are met.

RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES:

1. Conducts thorough and accurate diabetes education assessment of patients/families within appropriate time frames to develop a collaboratively agreed upon education plan.

2. Provides patient/family education in either the classroom or individual setting based on identified needs.

3. Refers patients/families to appropriate community agencies and other resources based on evidenced needs.

4. Documents education based on hospital standards and in accordance with regulatory agencies for quality diabetes self-management education.

5. Evaluates diabetes education and patient level of education, along with behavioral goal attainment.

6. Communicates effectively with staff, patients, family, physicians and others in person, in writing, on the phone and electronically.

7. Presents, when asked, to support groups and other interested community organizations and professional organizations. May be asked to coordinate the support group schedule and presentations.

8. Participates in health fairs as needed.

9. Identifies, to the Director, needed changes in curriculum, teaching plans, handouts and educational manual and any other areas related to diabetes education.

10. Meets with sales representatives as needed to maintain updated information related to diabetes education, medications, blood glucose meters, technology and other areas that may impact patients with diabetes.

11. Keeps the storeroom stocked and literature display areas filled.

12. Works to book appointments in conjunction with the secretary.

13. Demonstrates effective judgment and ability to understand, react competently, and treat (if appropriate) the unique needs of patient age groups served.

14. Is responsible to maintain and update own knowledge base related to diabetes and diabetes education by reading the circulated professional magazines, going on line to research areas of need and obtaining yearly CEU’s.

15. Serves as role model demonstrating high level of knowledge regarding diabetes treatment, care and education.

16. Performs other related duties as required, including new improvements and/or technology that relate to job assignment.

17. Agrees to scheduling flexibility; based on the needs of the Diabetes Center and the community.

MINIMUM ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS:

• Current Michigan licensure as a Registered Nurse
• Bachelor of Science in Nursing or Bachelor's degree in health care education, health care administration or other management related field from an accredited college or university.
• Two (2) years of professional clinical experience as a Registered Nurse; preferred candidates will have at least two (2) years of diabetes education experience.
• Certified BLS provider specializing in Basic Life Support credentialed from the American Heart Association (AHA) or American Red Cross obtained within 18 months prior to hire date or job transfer date or Certified Instructor.
• Ability to work independently, set priorities and organize work while maintaining flexibility.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective, harmonious working relationships with patients and their families, physicians and staff, external agencies and the public.

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENT: Preferred applicants will already have certification as a Diabetes Educator by the National Certification Board for Diabetes Educators. Applicants not already certified must become board-eligible as a Diabetes Educator by the National Certification Board for Diabetes Educators within three (3) years from date of appointment to classification. Failure to become certified within the specific time period may result in the employee’s termination.

Responsibilities

1. Provides quality medical nutrition therapy based on patient expectation and needs.a. Conducts a thorough individualized nutrition and diabetes education assessmentb. Collaboratively develops an individualized education plan with patientc. Communicates, coordinates, monitors and documents pland. Assesses outcomes of intervention and revises as needed.


2. Provides quality nutrition and diabetes counseling.a. Uses motivational interviewingb. Demonstrates understanding of stages of behavior change and ability to counsel clients through the stagesc. Assess readiness to learn and patient perceived needsd. Facilitate patient experiences that assist in achieving identified goalse. 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.a. Documents according to standards of Hurley Diabetes Center via EPIC, using Nutrition Care Processb. Engages patients in individual or group classes using variety of interactive methods (PowerPoint, demonstration, teach back).


4. Strengthens professionalism of nutrition practicea. Adheres to professional code of ethics of the Academy of Nutrition and Dieteticsb. Participates in special projects and committees as assigned for diabetes and wellness programs and agreeing to scheduling flexibility based on needs of the departmentc. Assumes responsibility for yearly ceu's as required to maintain certificationsd. Mentor to dietetic interns in diabetes rot+N181ation of Hurley Dietetic Internship and develops curriculum and completes evaluationse. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teamf. Meet with sales representatives to keep up to date on knowledge of new technology and medicationsg. 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.

Qualifications