DIABETES EDUCATION CDE Nurse-Spanish Speaking preferred

• Summary of Essential Functions
• Responsible for providing direct diabetes self-management education. Conducts an assessment of the patients’ status upon program entry and directs referrals for screenings.
• Assists in the assessment of the program and its goals as well as collecting/compiling statistical data required for accreditation.
• Participates in quality assurance and staff development activities.
• Functions as a program liaison to physicians and other healthcare professionals.
• Is involved in facilitating referrals and marketing the program to consumers.
• Assists with development of other patient education activities that focus on health promotion and wellness based on community needs.

• Educational Requirements
• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Graduate of an accredited school of nursing.
• Certification in Diabetes Education.
• Must be able to communicate effectively in English, both verbally and in writing.

• Licensure and Certifications
• Registered with the BNE for the state of Texas.
• Certification as a Diabetes Educator preferred.
• CPR Certification.

• Knowledge/Skills/Abilities
• Has a working knowledge with audio-visual equipment, personal computer, and Home Glucose meter download software.
• Must be able to communicate verbally and written in a clear, understandable, and legible manner.
• Must have patience, tact, a cheerful disposition and enthusiasm, as well as the willingness to handle difficult situations.
• Must be able to adapt and function in a changing environment. Must be flexible and handle a large volume of information in an organized manner.

• Physical Requirements
• Primarily works the day shift tour of duty; additional hours may be asked to work other hours as needed, including weekends.
• May be expected to lift over fifty pounds.
• Ability to distinguish between numbers and symbols.
• Hand-eye coordination and manual dexterity with substantial movement of wrist and/or fingers.
• Walking and climbing to accomplish tasks.
• Corrected vision and hearing to normal or near normal range.
• Extended periods of sitting and/or walking depending on specific duties.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Performs patient assessment to department standards with special attention to teaching and educational abilities of patient and SO.
• Performs targeted assessment/reassessment on subsequent patient visits.
• Documentation of assessment and progress notes/flow sheets are thorough and timely.
• Formulates a goal directed plan of care that addresses patient’s educational needs in conjunction with the physician. Integrates the plan of care with potential needs at home. Formulates discharge plan of care.
• Implements care in a knowledgeable, skillful, consistent, and continuous manner. Functions to establish priorities of patient care based on essential patient needs and available resources of time, personnel, equipment, and supplies. Works to keep physician, nursing, and other medical personnel (as appropriate) aware of patient progress toward goals and needs for modification in plan of care.
• Judges the effectiveness of care on each patient visit. Evaluates patient response to care provided and patient/SO self care responsibilities in relation to education. Formulates and documents results of follow-up evaluation/visits.
• Assesses the patient’s readiness to learn, level of understanding, and individual goals. Plan an individualized educational approach to achieve goals. Implement teaching protocols for helping patient/SO learn. Evaluate patient’s understanding and goal achievement. Document educational process in the medical record.
• Assists in formulating patient teaching protocols for patients served.
• Works in a collaborative manner with the physician, nursing, and other medical personnel (as appropriate) to teach the patient/SO self-care as is possible.
• Participates in Quality Improvement as requested by the Coordinator of Patient Education.
• Proficient in initiation and monitoring insulin pump usage. Able to effectively educate patients/SO and manage usage, using established protocols.
• Performs all other tasks/responsibilities as necessary.