Diabetes Educator - Mason Health

Diabetes Educator: This 0.0FTE/Per-diem position is scheduled to work 8-HR day shifts as needed.
Compensation: Non-Exempt, $46.32/HR-$67.29/HR
Benefits:

Mason Health provides these benefits for per-diem employees:

• Mental Health & Wellness resources
• Employee Assistance Program
• Paid Sick Leave

Job Summary:

Provides diabetes education services and supports the Diabetes Wellness Center (DWC).

Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Assesses and evaluates individuals with diagnosed diabetes to identify knowledge deficits and assess education needs; reviews physician’s referral information relating to patient’s diagnosis and related medical conditions/medications; identifies the patient’s specific diabetes self-management and medical nutrition therapy goals, and develops unique educational care plan to best meet individual needs and lifestyle; confers with referring provider or provider’s office staff regarding patient’s individual care plan and progress; establishes and records baseline data for use in monitoring and evaluating ongoing progress.
2. Conducts group training and behavioral intervention to educate patients/families in diabetes, identify self-management objectives and modify behavior and lifestyle; topics include overall diabetes management, coping with the disease and managing risk factors; motivational techniques, healthy eating and physical activity; how their medications work, and monitor their blood glucose; explains the risk of complications; documents diabetes education activities and interventions in accordance with established procedures. Must be knowledgeable about insulin delivery systems including insulin pumps, as well as continuous glucose monitoring systems.
3. Monitors and documents ongoing patient progress to ensure lifestyle and behavior have been adapted to facilitate effective diabetes self-management skills; Conducts individual training sessions for patients who need to work on specific diabetes self-care skills in order to reduce existing risk factors (e.g. elevated cholesterol/triglyceride levels, etc) or for other medically-necessary reason; Follows up where progress is less than expected and initiates intervention in accordance with established procedures
4. Makes assessments relating to the need for insulin adjustment to control blood sugar within scope of practice as authorized by physician’s (or qualified non-physician practitioner) order; test blood sugar and/or give insulin injections; consults and interprets existing protocols to determine appropriate adjustment; notifies physician of change.
5. Maintains and applies current knowledge of diabetes disease processes and continuous advances in diabetes understanding/treatment and self-management principles, standards, practices and tools; keeps abreast of the latest clinical advances and related methodologies/protocols.
6. Receives questions from patients and families and provides timely responses within scope of practice; consults with and refers patients to other healthcare providers as required to triage and address emergency, specific and/or changing needs.
7. Monitors and evaluates effectiveness of training activities, and reviews evaluation data to recommend changes in instructional objectives, methods and programs; participates in the development, revision and evaluation of diabetes educational materials and programs for individuals with diabetes
8. Serves as a liaison/consultant to MGH personnel, students and other professional organizations regarding diabetes education/management; establishes and maintains relationships with other community agencies for referral and networking purposes.
9. Performs other related duties and special projects as assigned.                                                                                                                                                        

Required Education and Experience:

1. BA or MS in Dietetics, or Associate degree in Nursing (Bachelor’s degree preferred). 
2. Minimum 1 year of recent work experience in adult education and care of people with a chronic disease.

Required Licenses, Certifications and/or Registrations:

1. Certified by the state of Washington as a Dietitian, and Registered Dietitian (RD) by the Academy Nutrition and Dietetics; OR  current licensure as a Registered Nurse (RN) by the Washington State Board of Nursing
2. Current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification, or within 180 days of hire.
3. Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist is strongly preferred.