Diabetes Educator

Job Title:                    Diabetes Educator

Job Code:                   DIABED        

Department:              Diabetes

Division:                     Nursing

Salary Level:             Non-Exempt 12          

Reports to:                 Primary Care DON

Last Revised:

Primary Function 

The purpose of this position is to provide nursing cam for patients in the Cherokee Diabetes Healthy Heart Initiative. It is also to provide diabetes education and management and care coordination as part of a team effort, to persons and families with diabetes and to provide nutrition and fitness education to those persons at risk for cardiovascular disease.

Job Description 

• Responsible for monitoring client progress and providing ongoing follow up and support
• Guides clients through and ensures that all components of the 16 week NIHDPP curriculum are met
• Collaborates with other Healthy Heart Team members to monitor progress of clients and to develop plans of care to facilitate activity
• Responsible for teaching educational classes related to diabetes and in prevention of Cardiovascular disease in the individual and in the group setting
• Must document progress of patients in EHR
• Conducts and/or coordinates all fitness testing prior to development of an exercise program for an individual
• Provides data for required SDPI grant report. If a deficiency is noted, a plan of correction, implementation, and follow up evaluation is devised,
• Implements and follows the provisions contained, all applicable privacy/confidentiality policies, procedures and practices: for release of client records and clinical information, including tribal, federal, state and any applicable licensing bodies.
• Plans and participates in Healthy Heart recruitment activities to promote community involvement
• Participates in professional development, training, seminars, and meetings a required. Maintains current licensure, certifications or other appropriate professional standards.
• May be necessary to work when Administrative Leave is granted if patient care would be compromised.
• Assists with reporting for grant requirements.
• Other Duties as assigned as relevant to primary job functions.

Education/Experience

• Applicant must have an unrestricted valid Registered Nurse license within the state of North Carolina or a state that is accepted as reciprocity.
• Bachelor’s degree preferred.
• Current Basic Life Support (BLS) minimally required. Can be acquired through the facility within 6 months following appointment to position.
• Four years minimum of experience in health care related to diabetes.
• Preferred Certified Diabetes Educator.
• Revised January 2015
• Six months would be required to become proficient in all areas of the job.
• Must be a licensed driver.

Job Knowledge

• Must be knowledgeable of all applicable policies, procedures, and guidelines of the program, HMD, CIHA, El3CI, IRS as well as applicable industry standards. Ensures compliance with applicable hospital, state, and federal policies, laws, regulations and tribal personnel policies.
• Requires knowledge of and the ability to work within a team and to be aware of complications and health risks of diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
• Must follow required curriculum
• Must demonstrate knowledge of principles of growth and development over the life span and possess the ability to assess data reflective of the patient's status to develop age appropriate activity plans.

Complexity of Duties

This position is part of the Heart Healthy Initiative. The focus is to case manage patient care and activities. This position is also to provide education to patients and participate in community activities to promote healthy lifestyles to prevent diabetes complications

Supervision Received

Works under the general guidance of the Heart Healthy Coordinator, Cherokee Diabetes Manager. Must work within guidelines and curriculum of DDTP. Works independently within applicable licensing regulations where latitude for creative thinking, initiative and discretion are given to achieve department goals and objectives.

Responsibility for Accuracy

Most clinical errors would be detected with proofing and review procedures. Failure to properly manage and direct activities could result in ill will for the department, delays in patient treatment, and negative patient and community relations. Ineffective health planning could have adverse effects on the health status of the community by limiting access to necessary resources. Accuracy of data and research is critical in the allocation of tribal resources. Responsible for the adherence to policy and procedure. Inappropriate actions or inaccuracies in judgment could result in improper diagnosis and treatment, serious liability for the tribe, or more serious health risks to patients.

Contacts with Others

Has frequent contacts with coworkers, other health professionals, and patients where tact, courtesy, and diplomacy are required to maintain positive relationships. Requires sensitivity to others while dealing with patients and their families. Purpose of contacts is to exchange information, gain assistance, and dispense data.

Confidential Data

The provision of medical care requires that the incumbent shall maintain strict appropriate confidentiality regarding all patient information. Violations of confidentiality regulations shall be a cause for adverse action.

Mental/Visual/Physical 

Job duties can be mentally/emotionally stressful at times. Close mental concentration and attention to detail are required. Physical activities require the ability to walk, sit, reach, bend, and lift while assisting patients to walk, transferring or timing. Must have visual acuity, manual dexterity, and the ability to speak and hear. May occasionally move more than 15 pounds. 

Environment

The role is performed in a variety of settings throughout the health system and community including client home, and community centers as well as hospital inpatient and outpatient clinical settings. There is a potential for exposure to blood or body fluids and communicable diseases. Other disagreeable elements include dealing with stressful patients, personnel, physicians, patients, and families/significant others. Must possess stamina to withstand and function effectively under stress.

Customer Service

Consistently demonstrates superior customer service skills to patients/customers by demonstrating characteristics that align with CIHA’s guiding principles and core values. Ensure excellent customer service is provided to all patients/customers by seeking out opportunities to be of service.