The Clinical Diabetes Educator - Nurse provides state of the art diabetes self-management education (DSME) in a variety of settings, to persons with diabetes (PWD) and their families/care-partners, helping to optimize their diabetes management. 

This position is part time at 24hrs/wk and hours are 8:30am-5:00pm.

There is an option for 1 day remote per week after initial 6 months of training.

As a health care organization, we have the responsibility to do everything in our power to care for and protect our patients, our colleagues and our communities. Beth Israel Lahey Health requires that all staff be vaccinated against influenza (flu) and COVID-19 as a condition of employment.

Key Duties:

• Provide education and support to individuals diagnosed with diabetes, empowering them to effectively manage their condition and improve their overall health.
• Promotes and disseminates quality diabetes care and nutrition information to patients, professionals, and the public following established Clinic Division guidelines. 
• Collaborate with other educators in identifying needs, developing and providing clinical programs and services.
• Participates in the development of education curricula and materials by writing original material and/or reviewing the work of others. 
• Mentors less experienced staff, students, and other professionals.
• Promotes and disseminates quality diabetes information to allied health professionals and visiting healthcare providers.

Essential Responsibilities of the Job:

DIABETES EDUCATION:

• Patient Education: Provide comprehensive education on diabetes, its management, and lifestyle modifications to individuals and their families.
• Assessment: Conduct assessments to determine patients' specific needs, risk factors, and readiness to make lifestyle changes.
• Care Planning: Develop individualized diabetes management plans, including dietary recommendations, exercise routines, medication management, and glucose monitoring.
• Medication Management: Assist with medication management and dosage adjustments in coordination with healthcare providers.
• Diabetes Technology Management: Providing training and support to patients and healthcare professionals on the proper use and management of diabetes technologies, including insulin pump trainings, and continuous glucose monitor initiation, placement, and interpretation.
• Monitoring: Monitor and track patients' progress, glucose levels, and adherence to treatment plans.
• Counseling: Offer emotional support and behavioral counseling to patients, helping them cope with the psychological aspects of living with diabetes.
• Group Sessions: Lead group education sessions on diabetes management, nutrition, and exercise.
• Resource Management: Provide information about available resources, such as support groups, community programs, and financial assistance for diabetes-related needs.
• Health Promotion: Promote preventive measures to reduce the risk of diabetes-related complications, such as foot care and eye examinations.
• Specialty Clinics: With support from the clinic, engage in specialized training to enhance the care provided to the unique and diverse populations seen within Joslin Diabetes Center.
• Research: Participate in research efforts within the education department and contribute to ongoing research efforts within the clinic.
• Team Collaboration: Work collaboratively with physicians, nurses, dietitians, and other healthcare professionals to ensure coordinated patient care.
• Professional Development: Stay current with the latest research, treatment options, and technology in diabetes care through continuing education and training.
• Phone Triage: On a rotating on-call basis, assesses urgent patient clinical needs and concerns, utilizing clinical knowledge and triage protocols to make appropriate recommendations for immediate care or further care necessitating provider involvement.
• Documentation: Timely documents and processes medical records and billing according to Joslin Policy and Procedures and the National Education Standards of Care/American Diabetes Association Education Recognized Program standards.
• All other duties as assigned.

NURSE EDUCATION:

• Applies nursing process and DSME education of Persons with Diabetes (PWD) and families, in a variety of settings, encouraging the team approach to diabetes management, according to Joslin policies and standards.
• Nursing Assessment: Evaluate and assess patient’s management and training needs, self-care behaviors, obstacles to successful implementation of therapy in the clinical and community setting.
• Individualized Education Care Plan: Develop personalized educational plans that are concise, and easy for PWD to understand. These plans include information about diagnosis, treatment options, self-management strategies, and appropriate follow up.
• Glucose and Medication Management: Education patients on the pathophysiology and effects of diabetes medications, including appropriate dosage, route, administration, and potential effects.
• Monitoring and Evaluation: Regularly review patient progress; adjust nursing care plans as necessary, and track outcomes to achieve glycemic control and overall health improvement.
• Group Sessions: Lead education sessions on diabetes management, nutrition, and exercise.
• Medication Administration: Responsible to ensure safe and accurate administration of medications to patients within the clinic. This responsibility includes: medication preparation, patient assessment, proper administration and monitoring, patient education, documentation, maintenance of safety protocols, and medication reconciliation.
• Emergency Response Team Member: On a rotating on-call basis, performs initial assessment and provides immediate treatment for all medical emergencies activated within Joslin Diabetes Center.
• Inpatient Diabetes Education: Provides daily, inpatient diabetes education at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center including: individualized assessment, hands-on device teaching, medication management, and safety training.

CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT & IMPLEMENTATION:

• Needs Assessment: Conduct needs assessments to identify gaps and determine the educational needs of learners and stakeholders.
• Curriculum Design: Works directly with clinic and center staff to develop and implement original clinical and community education programs that service patients, professionals and the community.
• Content Creation: Create, update, and curate educational materials, including handouts, presentations for patients and staff, assessments, and other relevant resources.
• Learning Objectives: Define clear learning objectives and outcomes for each curriculum or course, ensuring alignment with educational standards.
• Alignment with Standards: Ensure that the curriculum complies with educational standards, industry best practices, and relevant regulations.
• Instructional Design: Utilize instructional design principles to create engaging and effective learning experiences, incorporating various teaching methods and technologies.
• Quality Assurance: Continuously assess and improve the quality of educational content through feedback, data analysis, and evaluation.
• Research: Participates in outcome research of clinical diabetes education programs

PROFESSIONAL GROWTH & DEVELOPMENT:

• Maintains professional registration and certification.
• Remain current with the latest research, treatment options, and technology in diabetes care through continuing education and training.
• Attend relevant conferences as staffing and budget allow.
• Contributes to department goals for outreach and increased visibility by maintaining active involvement in professional organizations (such as contributing to newsletters and articles, delivering lectures, and contributing to development and implementation of workshops).

• Bachelor’s degree in Nursing (Master’s Degree in Nursing preferred)
• Minimum of three years’ experience as a nurse, preferably at least one year in community health or ambulatory care setting, or diabetes care and education/counseling of patients with chronic disease
• Registered Nurse, Massachusetts License
• BLS Certification
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite applications
• Excellent written and oral communication – including public speaking
• Must be detail oriented, and self-directed, with the ability to plan, organize, and execute multiple responsibilities through completion.
• May require some travel
• Certified Diabetes Education Specialist strongly preferred (if not currently a CDCES, candidate is required to sit for exam within 12 months of eligibility)
• Experience training in the use of diabetes technology preferred
• Bilingual - ability to speak Spanish a plus