Job Description

The Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist (CDCES) works under the supervision of the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) and is a key member of the healthcare team. The CDCES possesses clinical expertise in care related to diabetes management and education and other chronic diseases.

RESPONSIBLITIES AND DUTIES:

1. Provide diabetes and self-management guidance and education to pre-diabetics, type 1, type2, and gestational diabetic patients. Develop individualized diabetes education plans for patients in collaboration with medical provider and monitor adherence to plan. Individualized education plans shall consider different cultural, physical, cognitive, and literacy levels of patients and families and meet evolving needs of patient.
2. Plan, develop, and implement individual and group diabetes education strategies for patients through their life span and their families and caregivers, in collaboration with the Community Health & Wellness diabetes prevention program manager and the community health workers.
3. Provide nutritional counseling for weight control and diabetes management. Use comprehensive knowledge of nutrition to assist patients with meal planning. Teach patients to manage blood glucose with carbohydrate counting and to manage weight with calorie counting. Monitor patient diet diaries.
4. In collaboration with patient and health coaches, develop a physical activity plan that accommodates patients' needs, abilities, and self-management goals, and monitor progress.
5. s. Assist medical provider in assessing need for, and frequency, of self-glucose monitoring and teach patients self-glucose monitoring. Monitor adherence to plan. Assist medical provider in evaluating blood glucose logs in conjunction with diet diaries at provider visits.
6. Instruct patients and family members on medication safety including preventing, recognizing, and treating hypoglycemia. Collaborate with medical provider in adjusting oral medication and insulin doses according to blood glucose measurements, dietary habits, and individual barriers to care.
7. Work with patient and the care team to ensure patient has access to medications and does not run out of insulin or other medications and to ensure patient keeps appointments with medical provider and CDCES for diabetes monitoring.
8. Identify individual social and emotional barriers (such as depression) to compliance with treatment plan, and refer patient to appropriate team member, such as case manager and/or integrated behavioral health counselor
9. Assist provider in monitoring patient's diabetes care flow sheet, ensuring patient gets timely recommended preventive and monitoring tests, treatments, and referrals per diabetes care guidelines.
10. Facilitate coordination of care across specialty care, facility-based care, and community organizations.
11. Assist in the review and/or the development of clinical practice guidelines. Serves as content expert for diabetes education and management.
12. Assist in the development of policies and procedures for diabetes and health education guidelines.
13. Assist in the Indian Health Service Diabetes Care and Outcomes Audit to asses diabetes care and health outcomes for American Indian and Alaska Natives with diagnosed diabetes annually.
14. Support the organization as needed.

Qualifications

QUALIFICATIONS/EXPERIENCE:

1. Bachelor of Science in Dietetics from an accredited facility is required.
2. Licensed in Arizona as a Registered Dietitian is required.
3. Certification by the National Certification Board for Diabetes Educators (COE) is preferred.
4. Three years of experience caring for individuals with diabetes is preferred.
5. Bilingual in Spanish is highly preferred.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Professional knowledge and skill as a diabetes and health educator.
• Ability to investigate and analyze information and to draw conclusions.
• In-depth knowledge and understanding of the nature of diabetes and related issues and patient care concerns.
• Ability to design, develop, deliver, and evaluate educational programs and materials.
• Ability to provide technical advice, guidance, and support to professional staff in are of specialty.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to work effectively with a wide range of constituencies in a diverse community.
• Knowledge of the cultural, social, and economic background of the Native American and minority populations served and the impact of cultural values and beliefs in their diabetes status.
• Ability to establish rapport and gain the confidence of the physicians, nurses, members of the primary care team, clients, and associates.
• Ability to work independently and take initiative in addressing concerns and issues.
• Proficient with computer-based applications such as MS Office, Adobe, registries/medical databases, and electronic health record.

Additional Information

REQUIRED:

1. Must possess a valid and unrestricted Arizona driver’s license (within 30 days of hire if applicant is from out-of-state) with no DUI/DWI or reckless driving convictions in the last five years. No more than two at-fault accidents in the last three years. Must maintain a valid Arizona driver’s license during employment. Must be insurable under NATIVE HEALTH’s liability auto policy.
2. Must pass a criminal background check and obtain a Class I Fingerprint Clearance Card within the initial ninety (90) calendar days of employment and retain a valid card while employed with NATIVE HEALTH.
3. Must pass substance abuse testing upon employment and submit to random testing during employment.
4. Must provide an updated immunization (IZ) record at the time of employment.
5. Must have a current (within 12 months) Tuberculosis (TB) skin report upon employment and provide an annual update.
6. Must obtain a First Aid/CPR Card within (90) calendar days of employment and maintain a valid CPR Card during employment.

NATIVE HEALTH. is an EEOC, Employment-At-Will, and Native American Preference employer. Drug Free and Commercial Smoke-Free work environment.