Registered Dietitian - Redbank Diabetes Education

A member of the multi-disciplinary health care team responsible for the design, coordination and implementation of optimal comprehensive diabetes care and education of diabetic clients in accordance with established ADA standards of care.  In addition the dietitian will be consulted on and provide specialized education on nutrition related care for diabetes.

Education

Provides comprehensive Diabetes Self-Management Training (DSMT)

- Considering age-specific physiological, developmental, and cultural/socioeconomic parameters, assesses educational and nutritional needs of patients diagnosed with diabetes mellitus.

- Assessment includes medical history, nutrition practices, physical activity, medications, health literacy, readiness to learn and readiness to change behaviors.

-  Assists patients in determination of realistic and measurable goals or outcomes consistent with diabetes practice guidelines and appropriate to patient’s state of health, resources, and needs.

- Guides patients in identification of behaviors necessary for goal attainment within a designated time frame.

- Monitors progress made toward achievement of pre-determined goals.

- Provides DSMT in group and individual settings in accordance with nine content areas of the American Diabetes Association (disease process, nutritional management, physical activity, medication management, monitoring blood glucose, preventing, detecting and treating acute and chronic complications, psychosocial adjustment, health and behavior change).

- Provides Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT) to patients requiring in depth guidance and education to achieve nutritional behavioral goals.

- Utilizes clinical practice recommendations and standards of care of the

American Diabetes Association (A.D.A.)

- Responsible for designing the curriculum and assisting in the delivery of DSME

- May facilitate meetings of the Diabetes Educational Information Sessions

- Participates in the planning or implementation of educational programs for the community, or professional health care staff as needed.

Provides Medical Nutrition Therapy

- Considering age-specific physiological, developmental, and cultural/socioeconomic parameters, assesses educational and nutritional needs of patients diagnosed with various diet-related illnesses or conditions

- Assessment includes medical history, nutrition practices, physical activity, medications, health literacy, readiness to learn and readiness to change behaviors.

- Assists patients in determination of realistic and measurable goals or outcomes and appropriate to patient’s state of health, resources, and needs.

- Guides patients in identification of behaviors necessary for goal attainment within a designated time frame.

 

Communication

Maintains ongoing communication with other pertinent departments and health care providers of The Christ Hospital Health Network.

• Communicates clearly, concisely, and accurately while giving consideration to others’ needs and beliefs.

• Collaborates with clinical staff to develop plans of care to meet needs of patients with diabetes.

• Provides up-to-date information regarding diabetes and its management to various health care groups.

• Documents educational sessions and post program support plans in the EMR and communicates diabetes education plan and progress with referring providers.

 

Team Work

• Participates as an active member of the multidisciplinary diabetes team.

• Literature favors the registered nurse, registered dietitian, and pharmacist serving both as the key primary instructors for diabetes education and as members of the multidisciplinary team

• Participates in staff meetings and Annual Advisory meeting

• Work collaboratively with others in endeavor to meet customers’ needs.

 

Professional Development

Expert consensus supports the need for specialized diabetes and educational training beyond academic preparation for the primary instructors on the diabetes team

Develops high degree of competency through continued professional growth.

• Utilizes appropriate journals, books, websites/list servers and attendance of seminars, workshops and meetings/conferences.  Non CDE dietitians must complete 15 hours of continuing education on diabetes topics each year.

• Participates in competency assessment process and self-evaluation to establish professional goals and development plan emphasizing area of specialization as appropriate.

• Participates in diabetes-related professional organizations such as DECA, the professional division of the A.D.A. or the American Association of Diabetes Educators (AADE).

• Maintains or is working towards Certification as a Diabetes Ca