The diabetes care and education specialist (DCES) delivers comprehensive and seamless services that bridge the gap and integrate clinical and self-management aspects of diabetes and cardiometabolic care. The DCES is an integral part of the interprofessional team and provides collaborative, comprehensive and person-centered care, and education conducive to behavior change and improved quality of life across the lifespan. The DCES supports and advocates for people affected by diabetes to optimize quality care. The DCES promotes self management to achieve individualized behavioral and treatment goals that reduce risks and optimize health outcomes.
Responsibilities:
- Integrates skills and knowledge of pathophysiology, epidemiology, clinical management, cardiometabolic conditions, and self-management of diabetes into clinical practice.
- Advocates for and communicates about improved quality of care and outcomes for those living with, at risk for, and affected by diabetes and cardiometabolic conditions.
- Actively participates in the quality improvement (QI) process and adapts practice/process based on QI findings.
- Partners with individuals to deliver care and education conducive to behavior change and improved quality of life for self-management of diabetes and cardiometabolic conditions across the lifespan.
- Contributes to research and applies current research and evidence-based care to practice.
- Applies business principles, systems practice, and population health management to support achievement of the Quadruple Aim (reduced costs, better outcomes, improved experience, and improved work life for healthcare providers).
- Applies the AADE7 self-care behaviors to educate on and initiate behavior change.
- Engages in lifelong learning and serves as a role model of professionalism.
- Provides quality diabetes self-management education and medical nutrition therapy (limited to Registered Dietitians) in individual and group settings based on assessed needs. Utilizes appropriate teaching techniques that are sensitive to the learning preferences of the person with prediabetes or diabetes.
- Follows the ADCES Diabetes Education Accreditation Program requirements which are based on the National Standard of Diabetes Self-Management and Support Guidelines
- Completes comprehensive assessments for each patient including emotional and behavioral health, interprets personal health data, develops an individualized care plan based on the patient’ assessed needs and goals and promotes successful self-management.
- Documents all individual contacts/visits in the Electronic Health Record and outcomes data base according to the guidelines in a timely manner.
- Collaborates, advocates, and confers other members of the diabetes care team in developing person centered diabetes plans.
- Advocates for and supports technology-enabled diabetes education and care, in individual and population health diabetes services.
- Collaborates with community partners to establish and maintain on-going support options.
- Contributes to the achievement of established department goals and objectives and adheres to department policies, procedures, quality standards and safety standards. Complies with governmental and accreditation regulations.
- Participates in meetings, serves on committees, and represents the department and hospital/facility in community outreach efforts as appropriate.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in nursing, dietetics/nutrition/pharmacy
- Experience Diabetes self-management education and support experience preferred.
- Valid Maryland license as a Dietitian (must be registered by the Commission on Dietetic Registration), or Registered Nurse, or Registered Pharmacist
- Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist or BC-ADM credential required.