Diabetes Care and Education Specialist–RN or RD CDCES

We’ve made a lot of progress since opening the doors in 1942, but one thing has never changed – our commitment to serve, heal, lead, educate, and innovate.  We believe that every award earned, every record broken and every patient helped is because of the dedicated employees who fill our hallways. 

At Ochsner, whether you work with patients every day or support those who do, you are making a difference and that matters.  Come make a difference at Ochsner Health and discover your future today! 

This job works with organizational management to implement and maintain a nationally recognized Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support (DSMES) program for the health system. Works closely with diabetic patients to perform an assessment of physical health, medications, psychosocial issues and identifies areas for education and clinical interventions based on current national diabetes care standards and guidelines. Collaborates with the patient, medical provider team, and other care team specialists to develop and implement diabetes care plans and maintain medical records. Provides education to patients and caregivers on necessary self-care practices involved in a diabetes diagnosis, such as the disease process, acute and chronic complications, nutrition, medications, exercise, special self-care needs such as foot care, and glucose testing. Serves as a diabetes care resource to healthcare professionals, including staff, clinicians and the community.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties.

This job description is a summary of the primary duties and responsibilities of the job and position. It is not intended to be a comprehensive or all-inclusive listing of duties and responsibilities. Contents are subject to change at the company’s discretion.

Education

Required – Registered nurse diploma or bachelor’s degree in related field

Preferred – Master’s degree in related field

Work Experience

Required – 3 years of experience with direct patient contact

Certifications

Preferred – Certification as a Diabetes Care and Education Specialist (CDCES) by the Certification Board for Diabetes Care and Education Specialists (CBDCES)

Knowledge Skills and Abilities (KSAs)

• Proficiency in using computers, software, and web-based applications.

• Effective verbal and written communication skills and ability to present information clearly and professionally.

• Strong interpersonal skills, and ability to communicate clearly and professionally to varying levels of individuals.

• Ability to maintain reliable transportation.

• Ability to work outside normal work hours, to include evenings and weekends.

• Ability to effectively adapt to change in systems, practices, technology and accommodates fluctuating variables in practice setting such as patient volume, patient acuity, skill, experience and training of personnel, utilization of supplies and equipment, and utilization of manpower resources.

Job Duties

• Guides persons with diabetes in establishing individualized behavioral and clinical goals to address the needs identified in the assessment, develops success parameters, and uses behavior change methodology to facilitate patient participation in the education process.

• Develops an education plan to address behavioral goals established during the goal setting process, develops a learning plan to address gaps in knowledge, collaborates with patients to plan strategies for addressing barriers identified, and refers to the prescriber as needed.

• Consults and coordinates with health care team members to assess, plan, implement and evaluate patient care plans to enhance patient satisfaction, care, and safety.

• Instructs individuals, families and other groups on topics related to diabetes education, disease prevention and management, and develops health improvement programs.

• Recommends pharmacological treatment options, medical devices or other forms of treatment as needed, such as insulin pumps, continuous glucose monitors and temporary continuous glucose monitors. Recommends alternative forms of treatment due to financial, ambulatory, or disability needs.

• Adapts behavior to the specific patient population, including but not limited to: respect for privacy, method of introduction to the patient, adapting explanation of services or procedures to be performed, requesting permissions and communication style.

• Performs other related duties as assigned.

The above statements describe the general nature and level of work only. They are not an exhaustive list of all required responsibilities, duties, and skills. Other duties may be added, or this description amended at any time.

Remains knowledgeable on current federal, state and local laws, accreditation standards or regulatory agency requirements that apply to the assigned area of responsibility and ensures compliance with all such laws, regulations and standards.

This employer maintains and complies with its Compliance & Privacy Program and Standards of Conduct, including the immediate reporting of any known or suspected unethical or questionable behaviors or conduct; patient/employee safety, patient privacy, and/or other compliance-related concerns. The employer 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, protected veteran status, or disability status.

Physical and Environmental Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Light Work – Exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly (Constantly: activity or condition exists 2/3 or more of the time) to move objects. Physical demand requirements are in excess of those for Sedentary Work. Even though the weight lifted may be only a negligible amount, a job should be rated Light Work: (1) when it requires walking or standing to a significant degree; or (2) when it requires sitting most of the time but entails pushing and/or pulling of arm or leg controls; and/or (3) when the job requires working at a production rate pace entailing the constant pushing and/or pulling of materials even though the weight of those materials is negligible. NOTE: The constant stress and strain of maintaining a production rate pace, especially in an industrial setting, can be and is physically demanding of a worker even though the amount of force exerted is negligible.

Duties performed routinely require exposure to blood, body fluid and tissue.

The incumbent works in a patient care area; works in an area where patients enter; works directly with patients; and/or works with specimens that could contain communicable diseases. The incumbent has an occupational risk for exposure to all communicable diseases.

Because the incumbent works within a healthcare setting, there may be occupational risk for exposure to hazardous medications or hazardous waste within the environment through receipt, transport, storage, preparation, dispensing, administration, cleaning and/or disposal of contaminated waste. The risk level of exposure may increase depending on the essential job duties of the role.

Are you ready to make a difference? Apply Today!

Ochsner Health does not consider an individual an applicant until they have formally applied to the open position on this careers website.

Individuals who reside in and will work from the following areas are not eligible for remote work position: Colorado, California, Hawaii, Maryland, New York, Washington, and Washington D.C.

Ochsner Health endeavors to make our site accessible to all users.  If you would like to contact us regarding the accessibility of our website, or if you need an accommodation to complete the application process, please contact our HR Employee Solution Center at 504-842-4748 (select option 1) or careers@ochsner.org. This contact information is for accommodation requests only and cannot be used to inquire about the status of applications.

We are proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer. We are committed to the principles of equal employment opportunity and providing a workplace that is free from discrimination based on race, color, creed, religion, pregnancy status, pregnancy-related conditions, national origin, ancestry, mental or physical disability, medical condition, age, veteran status, military status, citizenship status, marital status, familial status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, genetic information, political affiliation, unemployment status, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state or local law. These protections extend to applicants and all employment related decisions. View the EEO is the Law poster and its supplement, as well as the pay transparency policy for more information. 

Affirmative Action Policy Statement