Employment Type:

Full time

Shift:

Rotating Shift

Description:

GENERAL SUMMARY:

Participates as a member of the interdisciplinary healthcare team to facilitate the continuum of care and education of patients with diabetes. Responsible for conducting individual and group patient education in the St. Joseph Mercy Health System Center for Diabetes in line with American Diabetes Association and Michigan Department of Community Health standards and guidelines. Meets with patients and patients’ support members in order to assess diabetes related knowledge, self care habits and nutritional status. Provides Medical Nutrition Therapy for individuals with diabetes. Consults with nurses, physicians and others as necessary in order to resolve problems with patient’s overall diabetes care including meal planning. Care for patients with other nutritional needs may be required as needed. Additional outreach education duties at community sites may be required upon request.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Assesses nutritional status of patients with diabetes based on input from referring physician, medical record, lab results, blood glucose monitoring trends, various clinical assessment methodologies, and patient consultation.

Assesses diabetes knowledge and self care behaviors of patients with diabetes and their support members. Evaluates patients’ skills in self-care, ability/readiness to learn, and resource utilization. Collaborates with other members of the interdisciplinary team in gathering data relevant to the patient’s health status.

Collaborates with the patient and the interdisciplinary health care team in developing a patient-centered plan of care. Examines the various treatment options available for implementing the plan of care.

Designs an individualized care plan that is congruent with the preferences, needs, age, educational level, culture, lifestyle, financial resources, physiological status, psychosocial readiness and desired clinical outcomes of the patient.

Conducts education interventions in a variety of formats and settings that may include:

• Individual sessions

• Group classes

• Ambulatory care

• Community

Provides Medical Nutrition Therapy as well as other diabetes related interventions to individuals or groups in a manner that reflects:

• current knowledge and research relative to diabetes pathophysiology, treatment, education and behavior change principles

• Application of adult learning and behavior change principles

• Congruence with the standards of care as defined by the parent institution or external accrediting bodies

• Effective utilization of human and material resources

• Attentiveness to age and developmental level, learning needs, readiness to change, cognitive and psychomotor capabilities, and spiritual and cultural implications of the patient.

Provides Medical Nutrition Therapy and educates client and support members on the content and strategies to operationalize nutrition and diabetes goals and assimilate them into long-term behavior changes. Mentors patient and support members in the development and application of clinical problem solving skills.

Ensures continuity of care by communicating with patient’s health care providers regarding patient needs and ongoing status of care plan. Develops excellent relationships with providers. Communicates patient assessments, care plans, concerns, recommendations, and patient outcomes in a timely and effective manner.

Identifies need for and initiates referrals to other members of the interdisciplinary team as appropriate.

Continuously monitors patient adherence to care plan goals and outcome measures. Modifies care plan as needed to maximize patient progress toward goals.

Interprets blood glucose monitoring results and recommends adjustment in food, activity or medication as needed.

Participates with the interdisciplinary team in selecting appropriate candidates for intensive insulin therapy. Works with the patient in developing and adjusting insulin dosing algorithms.

Ensures correct and timely documentation following a patient visit, consultation and referral activity in compliance with departmental policy and standards of regulatory bodies.

Seeks opportunities for expanding clinical knowledge and professional expertise, enhancing role performance and increasing knowledge of professional issues or initiatives. Maintains knowledge of current trends and developments in the field of diabetes and nutrition by reading appropriate books, journals, and other literature, and pursuing continuing education opportunities.

Participates in departmental goal-setting, program and curriculum development, continuous quality improvement strategies, staff education inservices, team meetings and other activities necessary to support departmental operations.

Represents the department and the profession of clinical nutrition to other departments as well as to the community at large.

Acts as an expert resource and consultant in the field of outpatient diabetes education for physician, other health care professionals, and the community at large.

Maintains and evaluates patient education materials relating to diabetes using evidence based practice. Develops new materials as necessary. Develops and conducts group presentations and related education programs as needed.

Maintains a current listing of community resources pertinent to patients with diabetes. Refers clients to resources, as needed

Maintains good rapport and cooperative relationships. Approaches conflict in a constructive manner. Helps to identify problems, offer solutions, and participate in their resolution.

Maintains the confidentiality of information acquired pertaining to patient, physicians, employees, and visitors of Saint Joseph Mercy Health System. Discusses patient and hospital information only among appropriate personnel in appropriately private places.

Assumes responsibility for performance of job duties in the safest possible manner, to assure personal safety and that of co-workers, and to report all preventable hazards and unsafe practices immediately to management.

Behaves in accordance with the Mission, Vision, and Values of Saint Joseph Mercy Health System.

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, AND LICENSURE

Education:

Requires Certification as a Certified Diabetes Educator through the National Certification Board for Diabetes Educators.

Requires Bachelor’s Degree in Nutrition or equivalent to meet accreditation standards of the American Dietetic Association.

Experience:

Two to three years progressively more responsible experience within a practice setting that included delivery of care to individuals with diabetes.

Licensure:

Registered Dietitian or

Registry eligible - registry must be completed within 90 days of hire

Member of the ADA.

REQUIRED SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

Working knowledge of all diabetes content areas as defined by the American Diabetes Association:

• Describing the diabetes disease processand treatment options

• Incorporating nutritional managementinto lifestyle

• Incorporating physical activity into lifestyle

• Using medication(s) safely and for maximumtherapeutic effectiveness

• Monitoring blood glucose and other parameters and interpreting and using the results for self-management decision making

• Preventing, detecting, and treating acute complications

• Preventing detecting, and treating chronic complications

• Developing personal strategies to addresspsychosocial issues and concerns

• Developing personal strategies to promotehealth and behavior change

Ability to perform blood glucose tests on patients and quality control on the blood glucose testing equipment.

Interpersonal skills necessary in order to communicate effectively with patients, families, employees, and medical staff when explaining and providing nutritional care.

Effective teaching and presentation skills

Analytical skills necessary in order to interpret physician orders, assess patient’s diabetes and nutrition history, develop appropriate meal plans, and evaluate outcomes.

Ability to concentrate and pay close attention to detail when conducting diabetes and nutrition assessment, formulating the care plan, implementing the care plan and evaluating patient progress and outcomes.

Basic knowledge of insurance reimbursement and requirements as they relate to the delivery of diabetes education and Medical Nutrition Therapy.

Skill in using PowerPoint and relevant clinical software programs such as PCIS and PowerChart.

Our Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion

Trinity Health is one of the largest not-for-profit, Catholic healthcare systems in the nation. Built on the foundation of our Mission and Core Values, we integrate diversity, equity, and inclusion in all that we do. Our colleagues have different lived experiences, customs, abilities, and talents. Together, we become our best selves. A diverse and inclusive workforce provides the most accessible and equitable care for those we serve. Trinity Health is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other status protected by law.

Our Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion

Trinity Health is a family of 115,000 colleagues and nearly 26,000 physicians and clinicians across 25 states. Because we serve diverse populations, our colleagues are trained to recognize the cultural beliefs, values, traditions, language preferences, and health practices of the communities that we serve and to apply that knowledge to produce positive health outcomes. We also recognize that each of us has a different way of thinking and perceiving our world and that these differences often lead to innovative solutions.

Our dedication to diversity includes a unified workforce (through training and education, recruitment, retention, and development), commitment and accountability, communication, community partnerships, and supplier diversity.

EOE including disability/veteran