RD Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist in Portland, Oregon at Oregon Health & Science University

RD Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist

US-OR-Portland

Requisition ID: 2026-40240
Position Category: Food/Nutrition
Job Type: AFSCME union represented
Position Type: Regular Full-Time
Posting Department: Medicine: Diabetes Education
Posting Salary Range: $45.35 - $62.27 per hour with offer based on experience, education and internal equity
Posting FTE: 1.00
Posting Schedule: Monday - Friday
Posting Hours: 8 hour days
HR Mission: Healthcare
Drug Testable: Yes
LinkedIn Job Code: #LI-EC1

Department Overview

The Harold Schnitzer Diabetes Health Center (HSDHC) is committed to advancing the health and wellbeing of children and adults diagnosed with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes and pre-diabetes. We cater to a diverse patient demographic, including those newly diagnosed with diabetes, individuals managing long-term diabetes, and patients requiring immediate care for new-onset diabetes. Access to HSDHC's services is seamlessly facilitated through both physician and provider referrals.

As a pivotal component of our multidisciplinary team, the Registered Dietitian, Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist [Diabetes Educator] enhances diabetes management through expert delivery of Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT) and Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support (DSMES). This role demands dynamic interaction with patients and their families across various settings. In the ambulatory settings, the Diabetes Educator manages scheduled face-to-face and synchronous and asynchronous telemedicine consultations and group classes. May engage in comprehensive care management. This position works with the adult patient population.

Function/Duties of Position

Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT) Related Activities

• ·Conduct comprehensive nutritional assessments including anthropometric measures, biochemical data, and nutrition-focused physical examinations.
• Assess patient/family learning needs, including barriers to learning and the most effective teaching methods.
• Educate patients and families on nutritional strategies to help manage diabetes, integrating standards of care into care plans.
• Provide targeted medical nutrition therapy tailored to each patient’s diabetes condition and overall health status. · Continuously evaluate and document the effectiveness of nutrition interventions and patient progress.
• Monitor patient outcomes relevant to nutritional interventions and adjust treatment plans to achieve optimal health results.
• Ensure all aspects of nutritional care are well-documented, maintaining high standards of care and compliance.

Specialty Certification: Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support (DSMES) Related Activities

• Deliver critical initial education to patients newly diagnosed with diabetes or those experiencing significant changes in their condition, ensuring they receive essential survival skills for managing their disease.
• Provide comprehensive diabetes self-management education and support in both individual and group settings, utilizing protocols and standards of care set by the American Diabetes Association (ADA) and the Association of Diabetes Care and Education Specialists (ADCES).
• Educate patients on the effective use of diabetes technology devices such as glucometers, smartpens, and continuous glucose sensors.
• Educate patients on the use of insulin and other diabetes-related injectable therapies.
• Assist patients and their families in identifying achievable behavior goals and incorporate these into personalized teaching plans.
• Maintain appropriate and timely documentation on all patient encounters.
• Participate in community education initiatives aimed at raising awareness and understanding of diabetes management as requested.

Other Duties as Assigned

Required Qualifications

• A Bachelor’s degree with specialization in dietetics, nutrition, institution management, or a closely-related field and completion of a pre-planned professional experience in dietetics at a facility approved by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND).

• Registered Dietitian/Registered Dietitian Nutritionist with the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR)

• Licensed Dietitian in the state of Oregon

• The specialist must have documentation of successful completion of a specialty certification examination and maintain requirements for maintaining specialist credential. In some circumstances a 1-year window to maintain a specialist credential via a specialty certification examination may be extended.

Job Related Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (Competencies):

• Strong passion for diabetes education.
• Proficiency in the nutrition care process for both pediatric and adult patients, ensuring optimal nutrient intake based on individual needs.
• Able to assess the nutrient composition of patients' meals and the impact of medications on nutrient and drug bioavailability.
• Skilled in diagnosing malnutrition using Nutrition Focused Physical Exams.
• Competent in administering medical nutrition therapy to enhance nutrient digestion, absorption, and metabolism.
• Capable of making recommendations for medication adjustments related to nutrition to improve patient well-being, reduce hospital stays, and enhance cost-effectiveness of treatment plans.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree preferred – will consider other relevant degrees
• 2 or more years recent experience working with patients living with diabetes, their caregivers and families.
• 1 year experience working with diabetes technology (insulin pumps, sensors, etc.).
• Spanish speaking preferred.

Additional Details

Monday-Friday, five days a week. 8-hour shifts: 8am – 4:30pm

Physical locations: Marquan Hill PPV 140 and OHSU Beaverton. Position does not maintain a private office. Workspace is shared with other staff members in the ambulatory clinic. Teleworking may be available based on role responsibilities.