Diabetes Educator

Job Summary

The Diabetes Educator provides comprehensive diabetes self-management education and support (DSMES) to patients and their families. Working alongside primary care providers and multidisciplinary clinical teams, this role assesses patient needs, develops individualized management plans, delivers clinical instruction, and empowers patients to manage diabetes and associated health conditions effectively.

Essential Functions

• Assess physical, metabolic, educational, and psychosocial needs of patients diagnosed with diabetes or prediabetes.

• Formulate individualized diabetes self-management plans in collaboration with the patient and primary care provider.

• Deliver evidence-based education on meal planning, nutrition, blood glucose monitoring, insulin administration, medication adherence, and complication prevention.

• Facilitate one-on-one consultation sessions and structured group diabetes education classes.

• Document patient assessments, educational interventions, and progress outcomes in the Electronic Health Record (EHR) system.

• Serve as an internal clinical resource regarding diabetes technologies, continuous glucose monitors (CGMs), and current management guidelines.

• Connect patients with community nutrition resources, prescription assistance options, and support groups.

• Assist with chronic disease outreach initiatives and grant-funded clinical health programs.

• Maintain patient confidentiality in compliance with HIPAA guidelines.

Qualifications & Requirements

• Education: Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree in Nursing (BSN/MSN), Dietetics/Nutrition, or a related clinical healthcare field required.

• Licensure: Active, unrestricted license as a Registered Nurse (RN) or Registered Dietitian (RD/RDN) in the state.

• Certification: Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist (CDCES) preferred (or CDCES eligible).

• Certifications: Current CPR / Basic Life Support (BLS) Certification required.

• Experience: Minimum 2 years of experience in outpatient diabetes education, clinical care coordination, or chronic disease management.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Deep clinical knowledge of diabetes pathophysiology, treatment protocols, and self-management frameworks.

• Excellent patient counseling, active listening, and motivational interviewing skills.

• Ability to present complex medical information clearly to patients of diverse cultural and educational backgrounds.

• Strong EHR charting skills and clinical data documentation habits.

Physical Requirements & Working Conditions

• Physical Demands: Regular combination of sitting, standing, walking, speaking, and listening in an outpatient clinic environment.

• OSHA Rating: Low to Medium.