+ Position Summary
+ Under general supervision, provides an accessible, therapeutic and systematic learning experience for people with diabetes and/or nutritional needs and their families. This learning experience is based on individual needs with promotion and maintenance of self-care management, optimal health and quality of life.
+ Ensures all actions taken in carrying out responsibilities support patient centered care.
+ Position Responsibilities
+ Unit Specific Position Responsibilities
+ Participates in precepting and mentoring while providing education / orientation to staff, students, and others.
+ Obtains a comprehensive nutritional assessment from patient and/or family.
+ Identifies patient/family’s specific diabetes self-management needs, goals, and specific behavioral changes.
+ Develops and implements an individualized plan of care based on assessment of the patient/family’s assessed learning needs, abilities, learning preferences, and readiness to learn.
+ Educates patient and/or family about all aspects of diabetes and diabetic health care, including:
+ diabetes disease processes and treatment options;
+ incorporating appropriate nutritional management
+ incorporating physical activity into lifestyle;
+ self-monitoring of blood glucose and urine ketones (when appropriate), and using results to improve control;
+ preventing, detecting, and treating acute complications;
+ preventing (through risk reduction behavior), detecting and treating chronic complications;
+ integrating psychosocial adjustment into daily life; and
+ management during pregnancy and gestational diabetes management (if applicable);
+ goal setting to promote health and problem solving for daily living; and
+ available health and community resources.
+ Provides follow-up evaluation of the patient/family’s attainment of identified self-management goals by telephone and/or office visits.
+ Prepares, reviews, and maintains current instructional materials/presentations on diabetes and nutrition related topics and utilizes only those approved by Mary Greeley Medical Center’s Diabetes Center.
+ Provides other nutritional care services based on assessing patient’s needs, including:
+ counseling on good nutrition by assessing diet history and food habits;
+ developing and implementing individualized plans of care;
+ determining appropriate calorie levels for diets;
+ evaluating nutrient adequacies and making recommendations; and
+ counseling on special diets to assure proper preparation and consumption of nourishments;
+ Consults with physicians, nurses, and other health care professionals as appropriate, concerning patient’s progress.
+ Documents and maintains complete data/information in patient’s record.
+ Demonstrates blood, glucose monitoring, prepares equipment for finger stick testing of blood sugars, and performs Quality Control monitoring as required by lab guidelines.
+ Arranges for needed patient testing.
+ Directs patients in making follow-up appointments and purchasing equipment and supplies.
+ Completes charge cards in a timely manner and identifies correct CPT codes.
+ Takes into consideration the age, growth and development of the patient when planning and providing care.
+ Responds to and refers incoming telephone calls in a timely manner.
+ Participates in community diabetes and nutritional education projects, programs and screenings.
+ Remains knowledgeable in disease processes and treatment modalities as they relate to diabetes.
+ Remains knowledgeable in various medical conditions, dietary deficiencies, and nutrition and dietary principles as they relate to the nutritional care of patients for health maintenance.
+ Remains knowledgeable in various ADA standards/guidelines and various billing and insurance requirements.
+ Participates in the development and maintenance of Diabetes Education Center’s procedure manuals and documentation forms.
+ Maintains timely flow of patients through the department and education program(s).
+ Represents department and serves on various committees, teams, and boards as assigned or on a volunteer basis.
+ Cooperates as a member of the department and overall hospital team.
+ Treats each contact (patient, family member, visitor, physician, staff member, etc.) as the most important person of the moment by friendly acknowledgement, responsiveness, and courtesy.
+ Maintains regular and reliable attendance.
+ Performs related work per orientation and position competency checklists and skills validation.
+ Respects diversity and individualizes care to meet the unique needs of the patient.
+ Establishes partnerships with patients, families, support systems, and other providers, utilizing in-person and electronic communications, to reach a shared goal of delivering health care.
+ Promotes healing and health in a way that builds a relationship with the patient.
+ Collects comprehensive data pertinent to the patient and/or the situation.
+ Analyzes the assessment data to determine the nutrition related health issues.
+ Identifies expected outcomes for a plan individualized to the patient or the situation.
+ Develops a plan that prescribes strategies and alternatives to attain expected outcomes
+ Implements the identified plan.
+ Employs strategies to promote health and a safe environment.
+ Evaluates progress toward attainment of outcomes.
+ Maintains and improves the healthcare practice environment conducive to the provision of quality health care.
+ Attains knowledge and competence that reflects current dietetics practice.
+ Maintains professional competence.
+ Continually reassesses competencies and identifies needs for additional knowledge, skills, personal growth, and integrative learning experiences
+ Integrates evidence and research findings into practice.
+ Contributes to quality dietetics practice.
+ Demonstrates leadership in the professional practice setting and the profession.
+ Practices in an environmentally safe and healthy manner.
+ Participates in quality improvement and patient safety and customer service activities, including outcome monitoring.
+ Maintains a safe and clean environment.
+ Qualifications, Knowledge & Experience
+ Required Qualifications (Including any licensure, certification, education):
+ Registered and Licensed as dietitian in State of Iowa.
+ Ability to demonstrate clinical competence and maintain current knowledge in caring for adolescent through geriatric patients.
+ Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.
+ Skill in effective oral and written communication in English.
+ Knowledge of basic arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
+ Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
+ Active Listening skills, giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
+ BLS training or within 90 days of hire and must maintain throughout employment.
+ Anyone hired after 01.01.2020 will require a CDCES certification. Those hired before 01.01.2020 will be required to get the CDCES certification upon renewal.
+ Mandatory Reporter training within 90 days of hire and must maintain throughout employment.
+ Organizational Requirements:
+ Maintain stroke education per regulatory requirements.
+ Preferred Qualifications:
+ Professional certification as Certified Diabetes Educator.
+ Required Knowledge, Skills & Experience:
+ Knowledge of nutrition and dietary principles to direct high quality nutritional care.
+ Knowledge of instructional skills and educational techniques to influence and guide proper care of diabetes patients for optimal health.
+ Ability to read, write, speak and understand the English language; to demonstrate basic computer skills; to read and understand chart documentation; and, to keep current with diabetes research and treatment modalities, changes in diabetes self-management, dietary deficiencies, and changes in nutrition and dietary principles.
+ Ability to communicate effectively in a professional and tactful manner with physicians, staff, patients and/or their representatives.
+ Ability to publicly present information to physicians, members of the care team, and others as appropriate.
+ Ability to be self-directed, flexible, and able to adapt to change.
+ Ability to communicate effectively, in English, with diverse population groups.
+ Ability to pursue and foster a sense of team and partnership across all disciplines.
+ Preferred Knowledge, Skills & Experience:
+ One year experience in educating persons with diabetes and nutritional needs.