The Lead Diabetes Educator is responsible for the assessment, planning, and implementation of evidence-based education programs. These programs aim to support the learning needs of the diabetes education staff, located in acute and ambulatory environments, and align with the vision of Northern Arizona Healthcare. This position is responsible for developing clinical practice and care guidelines, based on regulatory standards and best practice, throughout the hospital system. The Lead Diabetes Educator supports the department by leading and facilitating projects, mentoring staff, improving patient satisfaction, increasing engagement, and improving patient safety and patient outcomes. This individual ensures staff education and clinical practice guideline adherence. The position is responsible for the overseeing of the day to day operations of the DMSES service at all sites. The Lead Diabetes Educator acts as the Quality Coordinator to ensure that the National Standards (NSDSMES) are met and maintained. This individual works within the ethical and legal parameters of her/his profession. This position maintains the knowledge and skills required to properly care for the physical and developmental needs of the population. Additionally, the lead orients staff and interns, coordinates staff schedules, coordinates the department’s document control, and provides supervisory coverage in the manager's absence.

Quality Management
* Oversees the planning, implementation and evaluation of the DSMES service.

* Arranges and coordinates the activities of the Advisory Group. * Liaises between the DSMES team members, the Advisory Group, other departments and administration.

* Monitors and facilitates maintenance of DSMES team member’s qualification (CE credits, training, competency, licensures, and registrations).

* Responsible for maintaining ADA Recognition and participating in the evaluation of the DSMES service’s effectiveness.

* Performs Quality review audits on patient charts.

* Reviews and addresses quality issues discovered in patient charts.

* Monitors and tracks ADA Requirements.

 
Patient/Staff Education
* Integrates Northern Arizona Healthcare’s mission (Improving health, healing people) into education, practice guidelines/protocol, and projects/programs.

* Identifies and analyzes current diabetes education trends and evidence-based practice standards to guide education within the DSMES and general diabetes education program.

* Provides education for both patients and staff of NAH.

* Provides Diabetes Self-Management Education to patients.

 
Referrals
* Responds to referrals for outpatient visits to patients of the clinic.

* Responds to referrals for inpatient visits based on protocol.

 
Process Improvement
* Collaborates with leadership and the Advisory Board on process improvements within the department and program.

* Works in collaboration with outpatient care management departments.

* Collaborates with endocrinology in order to ensure patients have the most up to date Diabetes information .

* Provides information and refers patients to community agencies.

* Works in Collaborates with the hospital/community/physicians/providers.

 
Care Coordination
* Coordinates care across the continuum as needed.

 
Compliance/Safety
* Responsible for reporting any safety related incident in a timely fashion through the Midas/RDE tool; attends all safety related training programs; performs work in a safe manner; monitors work environment for possible safety issues and ensures others are also performing work in a safe manner.

* Stays current and complies with state and federal regulations/statutes and company policies that impact the employees area of responsibility.

* If required for position, ensures all certifications and/or licenses are up-to-date and valid prior to expiration dates.

* Completes all company mandatory modules and required job specific training in the specified time frame.

Education
Graduate from either an accredited nursing program or dietitian program as either a RN or RD- Required

BS in Nursing or BS in Nutrition & Dietetics- Required

Certification & Licensures
Unrestricted Arizona Registered Nurse or Registered Dietitian licensure- Required

CDCES (Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist) OR accrues 15 hours of CE credits annually from the Certification Board for Diabetes Care and Education (CBDCE) related to chronic disease care, patient education, and program management- (within 2 years of hire)- Preferred (within 2 years of hire)

BLS (American Heart Association)- Required

Experience
3-5 years clinical experience with diabetes or other chronic disease- Preferred

Program building/growing experience- Preferred

Motivational Interviewing Skills- Preferred

Healthcare is a rapidly changing environment and technology is integrated into almost all aspects of patient care. Computers and other electronic devices are utilized across the organization and throughout each department. Colleagues must have an understanding of computers, and competence in using computers and basic software programs.