Diabetes Educator, RN 16 hours Days

Diabetes Educator, RN

16 hours/week

General Summary: Under minimal supervision from the Diabetes Program Coordinator, and Diabetes Educator RD, provides education of the person with diabetes. Assesses, develops and implements patient's Diabetes Education Plan.

Essential Job Functions:

Performs diabetes-specific physical, educational plan and psychosocial assessments. Facilitates patient's highest level of functioning through the application of culturally relevant interventions. Delivers all aspects of the educational plan to patients.

Assesses and recommends appropriate interventions for clients who experience difficulties in managing condition. Participates as multi-disciplinary team member to enhance the delivery of diabetic patient care.

The Diabetes Educator is responsible for achieving optimal quality of care and efficient utilization of resources for patients seen with diabetes, using evidence based practice. Current patient population served is the out-patient population. Assessment of future program needs may require working with in-patient populations. Focus is on patient and physician satisfaction.

Administrative: Assists Diabetes Program Coordinator with preparation for Diabetes Advisory Committee meetings, classes, and community events. Maintains daily patient documentation to ensure program meets ADA national requirements.

Clinical Practice: Through administrative assistant, contacts patients that have been diagnosed as diabetic through physician referral and from attending physicians. Indicates appropriate assessment and education plan for patients, while working directly with the Diabetes Educator RD. Suggests medication adjustments to attending physicians when patient blood glucose goals are not being met. Uses aseptic techniques and universal precautions as warranted.

Adherence and support of department and hospital policies and procedures: Complies with and supports all hospital and department policies, procedures and rules of conduct. Preserves patient rights. Follows the professional guidelines of The American Diabetes Association, the American Heart Association of Diabetes Educators, and their local chapters. Reads pertinent literature and attends continuing education programs. Incorporates approved developments in the fields of diabetes education into patient education. Completes all hospital and department required in-services and orientation.

Documentation: Working with the Diabetes Educator Coordinator and the Diabetes Educator RD, creates and maintains patient education record and adheres to all regulations and requirements by various outside agencies and regulating bodies. Records and tracts data for ongoing reports and statistics.

Communication: Sends initial physician letter after each patient visit to report plan of care, and completion of program when plan of care is completed. Will communicate with physician via phone, fax or in person to promote better patient outcomes or suggestions in changes of treatment.

Education: Teaches diabetic patients and their families, when appropriate, about diabetes, insulin administration, incretion mimetic administration, oral medication administration when ordered by physician. Education of and use of self-glucose monitoring is taught, and goals are based on patient's current health status. Education is done either individually or in a group setting.

Supervision: To Clinical Administration Director, Diabetes Program Coordinator, and to the Diabetic Education Program Physician.

Education: Recommended Bachelor of Science in Nursing

Experience: Two years of diabetes education experience required. Must take the Certified Diabetes Educator Exam within one year of employment.

Licensure/Certification: Required Current State of Massachusetts Professional Nursing License (RN).

MWW

MB8184