RN - Certified Diabetes Educator

Hours: 40 hours weekly, Monday-Friday 8am-5pm

Location: Lowell General Hospital - Diabetes and Endocrine, Dracut, MA

Job Profile Summary

This role focuses on providing professional and nonprofessional nursing care services in accordance with physician orders. In addition, this role focuses on performing the following Clinical Nurse duties: Assesses, plans, implements, and evaluates the care needs of a designated group of patients or provides nursing care and identified clinical support tasks within the scope of practice for achievement of the patient’s plan of care as directed. Provides professional nursing care to patients. Requires a nursing license. A professional individual contributor role that may direct the work of other lower level professionals or manage processes and programs. The majority of time is spent overseeing the design, implementation or delivery of processes, programs and policies using specialized knowledge and skills typically acquired through advanced education. A senior level role that requires advanced knowledge of job area typically obtained through advanced education and work experience. Typically responsible for: managing projects / processes, working independently with limited supervision, coaching and reviewing the work of lower level professionals, resolving difficult and sometimes complex problems.

Job Overview

The position is responsible for providing diabetes self-management education to patients and their families in preparation for discharge home. Patients with complex illness and learning needs will be referred for health teaching and counseling in order to promote wellness and to avoid acute and long-term complications. 

Job Description

Minimum Qualifications:
1. Massachusetts RN Licensure.

2. Three (3) Years of RN Experience.

3. Current Basic Life Support (BLS) Certification.

4. Certification in Diabetes Education (CDE) or must obtain within 1 year of hire

Preferred Qualifications:
1. Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN).

Duties and Responsibilities: The duties and responsibilities listed below are intended to describe the general nature of work and are not intended to be an all-inclusive list. Other duties and responsibilities may be assigned.

1.Coordinates patient self-management initiatives in a family centric program using a multi-disciplinary approach in the management of patients with diabetes (Type 1, Type 2, steroid induced and cystic fibrosis related) and their families.

2. Works with patients diagnosed with diabetes and their families, to facilitate improving self-management age specific goals for all patients; providing lifestyle coaching and conducting one-on-one patient visits in a hospital clinic setting as well as group visits.

3. Provides patient education; collaborating with outside community resources.

4. Provides case management including oversight and interpretation of laboratory results for patients with diabetes; ordering of therapeutics, durable medical supplies and refills for prescription medications; as well as coordination of referrals and diagnostic studies as needed.

5. Functions in the role of expert clinician and diabetes educator to improve patient care and clinical outcomes in the hospital setting.

6. Participates in and maintains awareness of performance improvement initiates.

7. Conscientiously evaluates and integrates evidence-based practice and research into clinical practice.

8. Conducts and documents accurate clinical assessments.

9. Develops, implements, and evaluates the patient’s individualized plan of care.

10. Uses professional nursing judgment to individualize the plan of care based on assessment of the patient's needs.

11. Manages own patient assignment by delegating and effectively based on patient needs and skills of team members.

12. Develops a comprehensive educational plan for the patient and family, utilizing appropriate resources, and documents according to department standards

13. Recognizes patient/family rights through support of their informed decisions and advanced directives.

14. Continually evaluates and revises the care plan according to changes in the patient’s health status.

10.Develops a comprehensive discharge plan utilizing appropriate resources and referrals including community resources.

15. Supports the development of new staff members and helps facilitate their transition into unit. 

16. Guides the professional growth of department staff through precepting.

17. Participates in professional development by identifying learning needs and seeking appropriate education.

18. Participates in departmental committees as needed .

Physical Requirements: 
1. Occasional lifting of 30-35 lbs and turning patients.

2. Prolonged standing and walking.

3. Occasional twisting, bending, reaching, pushing/pulling, sitting, kneeling, and squatting.

4. Exposure to infectious disease and possible carcinogenic chemicals.

5. Exposure of blood-borne pathogens.

6. Requires fine manual dexterity to lift and maneuver patients.

7. Requires visual and aural acuity necessary to monitor patient care.

Skills & Abilities:
1. Ability to effectively communicate with patients, families, physicians, and healthcare team.

2. Knowledge of and application of the nursing process.

At Tufts Medicine, we want every individual to feel valued for the skills and experience they bring. Our compensation philosophy is designed to offer fair, competitive pay that attracts, retains, and motivates highly talented individuals, while rewarding the important work you do every day.

The base pay ranges reflect the minimum qualifications for the role. Individual offers are determined using a comprehensive approach that considers relevant experience, certifications, education, skills, and internal equity to ensure compensation is fair, consistent, and aligned with our business goals.

Beyond base pay, Tufts Medicine provides a comprehensive Total Rewards package that supports your health, financial security, and career growth—one of the many ways we invest in you so you can thrive both at work and outside of it.

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