Registered Nurse (RN) - Diabetes Care & Education Specialist

Interested in a career with both meaning and growth? Whether your abilities are in direct patient care or one of the many other areas of healthcare administration and support, everyone at Parkland works together to fulfill our mission : the health and well-being of individuals and communities entrusted to our care. By joining Parkland, you become part of a diverse healthcare legacy that’s served our community for more than 125 years. Put your skills to work with us, seek opportunities to learn and join a talented team where patient care is more than a job. It’s our passion.

Primary Purpose

Provides complex or clinical specialty area care for people living with diabetes in accordance with established protocols and multi-disciplinary plan of care utilizing independent and interdependent interventions to restore stability, prevent complications, and achieve and maintain optimal patient responses through patient-centered / patient-valued care.

Minimum Specifications

Education

• Must be a graduate from an accredited school of nursing - or - must have a bachelor’s degree in food and nutrition.

Experience

Equivalent Education and / or Experience

Certification / Registration / Licensure

Required Tests for Placement

Skills or Special Abilities

Responsibilities

1. Assists in establishing a clear, timely and coordinated approach to the referral process for community-based, ambulatory and / or inpatient Diabetes Self-Management Education (DSME) and support.

2. Performs a comprehensive patient assessment, including collection of relevant medical data. Documents in the medical record relevant assessment data, educational plan, education services provided, evaluation results and relevant discharge / support services recommended or coordinated. Documents community diabetes education activities performed as per established processes.

3. Evaluates effectiveness of DSME services provided by measuring attainment of learning objectives, through patient / family demonstration and / or verbalization. Participate in the continuous quality improvement processes to measure the DSME process and to identify and address opportunities for improvement within Parkland and / or community-based activities.

4. Collaboratively (patient, multidisciplinary team and referring provider) develops educational goals, learning objectives, educational content and teaching methods, including an individualized support plan, for all patients referred for DSME within Parkland and where relevant, for diabetes education activity conducted in the community. Provides educational interventions that utilize interactive, collaborative, skill-based training methods. Dietitian Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialists can undertake all steps above EXCEPT the physical injection of a patient.

5. Liaises with the multidisciplinary diabetes care team, including clinical, business and relevant community partners / support personnel, to optimize patient diabetes self-management.

6. Serves as a patient / community advocate, by focusing on their needs, rights, confidentiality, and religious and cultural preferences. Ensures positive working relationships are maintained with all Parkland internal and external customers, employees and community partners etc. Serves as a resource for patients, physicians, other healthcare team members and community partners / support personnel.

7. Participates in the ongoing development of health professional, patient-centered and community education programs and resources (live, print, online, other) to increase Parkland’s capacity for optimal diabetes care delivery, reduced clinical incidences and attainment of desired patient, health system and community outcomes for diabetes. Within the multi-disciplinary framework of diabetes management and education, identifies opportunities for providing and receiving peer education and direction.

8. Strives to advocate for and implement the American Diabetes Association Standards of Medical Care in Diabetes and the National Standards for Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support to assist in building the structure to deliver consistent, best-practice care across the health system and community to achieve better outcomes.

9. May lead and / or participate in community outreach activities (such as health fairs, community collaborations or outreach clinics) as assigned. Serves on diabetes-related committees and completes special projects, including possible community projects, as assigned.

10. (Dietitian) Screens patients for nutritional risk, when applicable. Assesses and reassesses nutritional status, and consults with physicians and support staff. Develops individualized care plans in accordance with each patient’s, preferences, age, disease requirements, and resources. Calculates age appropriate calorie and protein needs, and modifies diet based on needs. Documents pertinent objective and subjective data pertaining to patient status and care.

11. (Dietitian) Instructs, educates, and counsels patients of all ages and their significant others in nutritional therapy. Individualizes instructions based on patient’s lifestyle, preferences, resources, ethnicity, language, and literacy level. Provides age-appropriate educational material and adapts teaching method based on needs. Teaches classes on medical nutrition therapy as appropriate. Makes appropriate documentation, including assessment of comprehension and follow-up needs to monitor progress, in the patient’s chart and record.

12. Additional duties as assigned.

Parkland Health and Hospital System prohibits discrimination based on age (40 or over), race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, disability, national origin, marital status, political belief, or veteran status. As part of our commitment to our patients and employees’ wellness, Parkland Health is a tobacco and smoke-free campus.