Diabetes Educator

St. Luke's is proud of the skills, experience and compassion of its employees. The employees of St. Luke's are our most valuable asset! Individually and together, our employees are dedicated to satisfying the mission of our organization which is an unwavering commitment to excellence as we care for the sick and injured; educate physicians, nurses and other health care providers; and improve access to care in the communities we serve, regardless of a patient's ability to pay for health care.

The Diabetes Educator is responsible for providing individualized diabetes self-management education/training to individuals and groups according to the Scope of Practice, Standards of Practice, and Standards of Professional performance for Diabetes Educators.

The intent of this job description is to provide a summary of the major duties and responsibilities of this position and shall not be considered as a detailed description of all the work requirements that may be inherent in the position.

JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Provides individualized diabetes self-management education/training to individuals, their families and groups using national AADE standards for Diabetes Self-Management. Follows the Scope of Practice, Standards of Practice, and Standards of Professional performance for Diabetes Educators ( AADE, 2005). Participates in activities of the Diabetes Education Program throughout the network and community. Supports Network goals and objectives related to Diabetes Education Services. Facilitates the Diabetes Support Group.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

1. Collaboratively develops educational goals, learning objectives and an individualized

Plan for educational content and teaching methods with DSME/T program

Participants.

2. Collects DSME/T program participant assessment data using the AADE framework

In a collaborative and ongoing manner.

3. Provides educational interventions that utilize primarily interactive, collaborative,

Skill-based training methods and maximizes the use of interactive training

Methods. Facilitates the Diabetes Support Group.

4. Collaboratively develops an individualized follow-up plan with each program

Participant.

5. Evaluates the effectiveness of the educational services provided by measuring

Attainment of learning objectives.

6. Conducts follow-up assessments upon completion of DSME/T program services,

Using outcome measures from the AADE7 Continuum of Outcomes Framework.

7. Documents assessment data, educational plan, services provided and evaluation

Results in each participant's educational records.

8. Utilizes a team approach to provide services, collaborates and communicates with

Team members when needed.

9. Identifies when a program participant's needs are outside the scope of the instructor's

Practice and expertise, then arranges for additional services to meet those needs.

10. Demonstrates expertise in teaching/learning process to improve clinical outcomes.

11. Collaborates with other health care professionals regarding diabetes education and

Care including nursing, medical staff, nutrition, administration and pharmacy.

12. Participates in the development of policies and procedures related to diabetes care

And education.

13. Functions as a resource regarding diabetes education across the network.

14. Participates in hospital and community diabetes educational programs.

15. Promotes national standards of practice in the care of people with diabetes through

Through ongoing education and representation on interdisciplinary committees.

16. Must maintain 15 hours of continuing education annually specific to diabetes, diabetes

Related topics and behavior change and self-management education strategies.

Other Functions:

Maintains confidentiality of all materials handled within the Network/ Entity as well as the proper release of information.

Complies with Network and departmental policies regarding issues of employee, patient and environmental safety and follows appropriate reporting requirements.

Demonstrates/models the Network's Service Excellence Standards of Performance in interactions with all customers (internal and external).

Demonstrates Performance Improvement in the following areas as appropriate: Clinical Care/Outcomes, Customer/Service Improvement, Operational System/Process, and Safety.

Demonstrates financial responsibility and accountability through the effective and efficient use of resources in daily procedures, processes and practices.

Complies with Network and departmental policies regarding attendance and dress code.

Demonstrates competency in the assessment, range of treatment, knowledge of growth and development and communication appropriate to the age of the patient treated.

8. Other related duties as assigned.

PHYSICIAL AND SENSORY REQUIREMENTS:

Sit up to 4 hours per day; 2 hours at a time. Stand for up to 6 hours per day; 3 hours at a time. Walk 1 hours per day; 10 minutes at a time. Frequently use hands and fingers to manipulate objects and for computer use. Rare lifting of objects greater than 10 pounds. Must have the ability for hearing as it relates to normal, high and low frequency. Must have the ability for seeing as it relates to general vision, near vision, color vision, peripheral vision and depth perception. Occasionally stoop, bend or reach beyond shoulder level. Occasionally squats, crouches, kneels and climbs. Must have hand/eye coordination.

POTENTIAL ON-THE-JOB RISKS:

Minimally at risk for burns, cuts and punctures, confined to small spaces, slippery surfaces, assault and battery, electrical hazards, chemical and biological hazards, injuries from operating machinery and back injuries.

Employees who work in patient care areas where they may have potential exposure to patients with suspected or proven tuberculosis (TB) must have the ability to wear a particulate respirator and be fit-tested in compliance with the current recommendations from the CDC (enforced by OSHA) or must provide physician documentation as to the inability to wear a particulate respirator.

SPECIFIC PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT AVAILABLE:

Follow MSDS and OSHA precautions for exposure to biological and chemical hazards.

Impervious gowns, gloves, masks and eyewear if needed.

MOST COMPLEX DUTY:

Providing individualized diabetes self-management education/training, in conjunction with the RN,CDE to individuals and groups according to the Scope of Practice, Standards of Practice, and Standards of Professional performance for Diabetes Educators (AADE, 2005).

SUPERVISION:

Supervision by the Diabetes Program Coordinator

COMMUNICATIONS:

Excellent written and verbal communication skills required to communicate with other departments, patients, families and medical staff. Basic computer skills (Microsoft office, use of internet and email).

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

QUALIFICATIONS

(MINIMUM)

EDUCATION:

Registered Professional Nurse or Registered Dietician with a Bachelor of Science degree and a current license to practice in the state of Pennsylvania. Certification as a Diabetes Educator required. Eligibility for certification may be considered.

TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE:

A Registered Nurse or Registered Dietitian who is also a certified diabetes educator, or who is eligible to become a certified diabetes educator. A minimum of 6 months experience (preferably 2-5 years) providing diabetes education . Experience with insulin pump therapy preferred. Must have 15 contact hours within the past year in diabetes and diabetes clinical and educational subjects.

Please complete your application using your full legal name and current home address. Be sure to include employment history for the past seven (7) years, including your present employer. Additionally, you are encouraged to upload a current resume, including all work history, education, and/or certifications and licenses, if applicable. It is highly recommended that you create a profile at the conclusion of submitting your first application. Thank you for your interest in St. Luke's!!

St. Luke's University Health Network is an Equal Opportunity Employer.