Nursing Educator

Counsel individuals and groups on nutritional practices designed to prevent/manage disease and promote good health. Evaluates individual needs; develop nutritional care plans; instruct individuals and their families; performs nutrition screenings; insulin teaching and offers Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT) on diet-related concerns such as weight management, cardiovascular disease, diabetes education, renal disease, gastrointestinal disorders, sports nutrition, healthy meal plans and other chronic diseases/conditions.

SUPERVISION: Directly supervised by the Chief of Clinical Services.

TYPICAL PHYSICAL DEMANDS: Requires prolonged sitting, standing, long hours, lifting up to 25 pounds. Travel may be required.

FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Assess nutritional needs, diet restrictions and current health plans, to develop and implement dietary-care plans and provide nutritional counseling for Center patients.
• Consult with physicians and health care personnel to determine nutritional needs and diet restrictions of patient.
• Advise patients and their families on nutritional principles, dietary plans and diet modifications, and food selection and preparation.
• Counsel individuals and groups on basic rules of good nutrition, healthy eating habits, and nutrition monitoring to improve their quality of life.
• Develop policies related to dietary and nutritional guidelines to assist in health promotion and disease control.
• Updates policies and procedures in accordance with current dietary and nutritional standards of care.
• Develop curriculum and prepare manuals, visual aids, course outlines, and other materials used dietetics and nutrition teaching.
• Coordinate medical nutrition therapy services.
• Conduct telemedicine visits at health center locations or non-health center locations (from provider's home) for registered patients of the Center.
• Plan and conduct training programs in dietetics and nutrition for health-care personnel, health promoters and the general public.
• Functions as part of a team while being self-motivated and self-directed.
• Maintains strict confidentiality of patient information and patient records.
• Serves as resource and nutrition specialist for the behavioral health program and the Diabetes Self-Management Education Program staff.
• Documents the nutrition counseling sessions in the Electronic Health Record on the appropriate templates.
• Initiates, oversees program accreditation and recognition and provides ongoing support for a Center-wide approved Diabetes Education Accreditation Program by the American Association of Certified Educators or National Standards for Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support by the American Diabetes Association.
• Participates in the Center peer review process.
• Able to successfully interact with people from diverse backgrounds and occupations.
• Travels to all clinic sites as requested.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Above-average oral and written communication skills.
• Knowledge of goals and general methods of practice used by other professionals, including teaching skills.
• Ability to exercise good judgment.
• Managerial-level computer skills in a Microsoft Windows environment. Must include Excel and skills in database management and record keeping.
• Evidence of the practice of a high level of confidentiality.
• Excellent organizational skills.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree in dietetics, nutrition, health sciences or related field required.
• Registered Dietitian with the Commission on Dietetics Registration / Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
• Licensed by the State of Texas.
• Must have a current BLS certificate.

OR

• Bachelor's degree in Nursing.
• Licensed to practice as a registered nurse in Texas with a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing form an accredited college or university.
• Must have a current BLS certificate.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Certified Diabetes Educator by the National Certification Board of Diabetes Educators.
• Minimum of three (3) years' experience in providing nutritional education and disease management teaching/counseling.
• Active affiliation with appropriate dietetic networks and organizations (e.g. Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, Texas Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, etc.) is preferred.
• Bilingual in English and Spanish preferred.