JOB SUMMARY / PURPOSE
This role is responsible for providing group and/or individual Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support (DSMES) to patients and their families to improve diabetes management. The role includes coordinating the DSMES service, overseeing its planning, implementation, evaluation, and day-to-day operations. Additionally, the role provides Medical Nutrition Therapy for patients with medical conditions requiring dietary modifications. Responsibilities also include program development and implementation, quality improvement, and department promotional activities. A Registered Dietitian credential is required, along with certification as a Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist (CDCES) or a commitment to obtain it within six months of hire.
ESSENTIAL KEY JOB RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Assesses patient education needs and develops individualized education plans.
2. Provides initial and follow-up consultations for patients with diabetes and other conditions requiring medical nutrition therapy and dietary modifications.
3. Teaches Diabetes diet principles, disease process and treatment in group and individual sessions.
4. Evaluates and develops teaching tools for use in education activities.

5. Assists patients with setting goals to achieve optimal diabetes self-management and monitors patient outcomes.
6. Communicates with health team members regarding patient education and outcomes.
7. Participates in departmental continuous quality improvement projects.
8. Participates in development and implementation of policies and procedures required for quality of care, reimbursement and regulatory compliance.
9. Maintains status of: “Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist” (CDCES). 10. Other duties as assigned by management.

This position is in a vibrant outpatient Lifestyle Management Department of a Community Hospital in Santa Cruz California. It involves working closely with Cardiac Nurses, Exercise Physiologists and Dietitians. The outpatient departments serve an essential component in the contiunum of care from acute care and acute rehabilitation to outpatient rehabilitation and a robust community health program. 

Required:

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution in foods and nutrition (including completion of internship, traineeship, or coordinated undergraduate program).
• Minimum two (2) years of recent work experience with diabetic education.

• Advanced degree in Dietetics or Nutrition from an accredited college or university.

• RD; BLS-CPR; CDE within 6 months
• Knowledge of Principles, standards, techniques and tools relating to diabetes self-management. Lifelong process of managing a chronic disease. Purpose, function and delivery of diabetes medications and medication delivery systems. Community services and resources, and referral network(s) applicable to activities within designated scope of responsibility. Principles, practices and tools relating to adult education and learning. Ability to keep abreast of continuous advances in scientific knowledge and understanding/treatment of diabetes, and of related educational methodologies.
• Ability to express ideas and convey information, effective in verbal and written communication, including group/classroom presentations and individual interactions.

Preferred:  Advanced degree in Dietetics or Nutrition from an accredited college or university.