Health/Diabetes Educator

The Cowlitz Indian Tribe; Longview (WA); On-site; USD 91,000 - 111,000; Full time

Job summary

The Cowlitz Indian Tribe is seeking a full-time Health/Diabetes Educator to manage health education and diabetes prevention initiatives. The role includes developing educational materials, conducting group education sessions, and managing grants. Applicants should have experience in the field with relevant certifications. A valid driver's license is required, along with background checks.

Qualifications

• One year of experience as a Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist (CDCES) or 1000 hours within one year.
• License as a dietitian or nutritionist preferred.
• Registered nurse with a current license or health professionals with a master's degree preferred.

Responsibilities

• Works with a multi-disciplinary team to develop and maintain a health education program.
• Conducts diabetes self-management education for patients.
• Manages the Special Diabetes Prevention Initiative grant.

Skills

Critical thinking

Problem-solving

Strategic planning

Organizational skills

Presentation skills

Education

Master's degree or higher in a relevant field

CDCES certification

Current RN license

Tools

MS Office

Job description

Career Opportunities with The Cowlitz Indian Tribe

A great place to work.

Careers at The Cowlitz Indian Tribe

Current job opportunities are posted here as they become available.

POSITION TITLE: Health/Diabetes Educator
DEPARTMENT: Health & Human Services (HHS)
LOCATION: Longview, WA
REPORTS TO: Health Services Manager
FLSA STATUS: Exempt; Full-Time
WAGE RANGE: $91,936 - $110,240

CLOSING DATE: Open Until Filled (First Review 7.7.2025)

***If you are an American Indian/Alaska Native and/or a Veteran and would like this to be considered preference in hiring, please upload documentation with your resume and cover letter. Acceptable documentation includes Tribal Enrollment card, a letter from your Tribe stating your enrollment, or BIA 4432 and/or DD214.***

Position Summary:

This position is responsible for the administration, management, and guidance of health education and diabetes prevention. This position also supports services located in Tukwila, Longview, and Vancouver, Washington. This is a non-supervisory position. The incumbent is directly supervised by the Health Services Manager. Honors and represents the mission, vision, and values of the Cowlitz Indian Tribe and the HHS department.

This list of duties and responsibilities is illustrative only of the tasks performed by this position and is not all-inclusive.

• Works with a multi-disciplinary team to develop, implement, and maintain a comprehensive community health education program.
• Develops culturally appropriate educational materials for patients.
• Develops lesson plans for health education/disease prevention and diabetes education groups.
• Conducts individual and group diabetes self-management education and general health education with patients.
• Works individually with patients to develop a treatment plan that incorporates behavioral and treatment goals to improve health outcomes and reduce complications from diabetes.
• Recommends policies, standards of care, and practice for diabetes specific care.
• Researches innovative methods to address diabetes and healthy living styles.
• Educates patients on the necessary lifestyle changes involved in diabetes diagnosis, including nutrition, medication, physical activity, and glucose testing.
• Manages the Special Diabetes Prevention Initiative grant for the Cowlitz Indian Tribe.
• Oversees the tracking and improvement of quality measures associated with diabetes and reports results to leadership, ensuring that diabetes measures are met per the Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA).
• Seeks funding opportunities to improve the wellness of American/Indian Alaska Native community members near Longview, Tukwila, and Vancouver locations.
• Presents diabetes needs for Cowlitz Indian Tribe Health and Human Services at local and regional meetings.
• Develops health education and diabetes prevention activities for the American Indian/ Alaska Native population with special care to include practices and customs of Northwest Indian Tribes.
• Makes presentations and educational sessions to a variety of socio-economic groups, genders, and ages.
• Refers patients to Registered Dietitian for assessment of nutritional status and develops individualized plans that meet the needs of patients and cultural foods.
• Educates and monitors patients on the use of continuous glucose monitoring systems.
• Documents all interventions with the patient in the electronic health record.
• Receives referrals from providers and nurses.
• Assists patients with nutritional education and healthy living.
• Tailors’ presentations and patient education for American Indian/Alaska Natives, preferably Pacific Northwest Tribes.
• Contributes to a team effort and accomplishes related results as required.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of traditional forms of government and tribal customs and traditions.
• Knowledge of Native health systems and structures.
• Knowledge of current research and evaluation methodologies.
• Skill in operating MS Office, Operating Systems, Email, and Internet programs.
• Ability to think critically, analytically, strategically, and conceptually.
• Ability to address situations using problem-solving skills, crisis management skills, organizational and strategic planning skills, research evaluation and assessment skills, stress management skills, and time management skills.
• Ability to synthesize pertinent information into an easily comprehensible format for a technical audience as well as for the public, including presentations, summaries, and promotion materials.
• Ability to maintain punctual and regular work attendance.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Ability to work independently and provide direct coaching to all levels of staff, including senior management, management, supervisors, and staff.
• Ability to form partnerships and work effectively in small and large groups using strong facilitation, project management and leadership skills, program planning and implementation skills, listening and verbal communications skills, facilitation and presentation skills, negotiation skills, and team building and relationship building skills.
• Ability to work in an environment with changing deadlines requiring adaptation, organization, flexibility, and time management skills.

Minimum Qualifications:

• One year of experience in patient care as a Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist (CDCES) or the ability to meet CDCES experience requirements of 1000 hours within 1 year of employment.
• License as a dietitian or nutritionist preferred.
• Registered nurse holding a current, active, unrestricted license from the United States or its territories, dietitian or dietitian nutritionist holding active registration with the Commission on Dietetic Registration.
• Health professionals with a master's degree or higher in social work from a nationally accredited United States college or a related field are preferred.
• A valid driver’s license is required when driving vehicles for work-related purposes.
• Obtain and maintain BLS/CPR and AED certifications.
• Must be able to successfully pass a background check/screening investigation according to the requirements.

Tribal preference in accordance with the Cowlitz Indian Tribe Code and CIT Employee Policies and Procedures Handbook shall apply to all positions. All positions are required to adhere to CIT’s established safety policies regarding vaccine requirements and personal protective equipment (PPE).

• Reference checks, education, and employment verification.
• Federal, state, and/or tribal criminal history and sanction checks including fingerprint verification.
• Has not been found guilty of, charged with, received a deferred sentence, received a conditional discharge of, or entered a plea of not contest to, or entered a plea of guilty to any one felony or misdemeanor crimes of violence, sexual assault, molestation, exploitation, or sexual contact; prostitution; or crimes committed against person(s) or children.

Physical Demands:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly is required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; and talk or hear. The employee occasionally is required to stand; walk; and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to lift up to 20lbs. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and clarity of vision at long distance.

Work is generally performed in a clinic environment. Employees may be exposed to unpleasant odors, bodily fluids, and infectious diseases. Frequent exposure to dust, fumes, airborne particles and/or allergens. Situations occur where PPE (personal protective equipment) is needed. Work may involve working with hostile, violent, or offensive individuals. Evening and/or weekend work is occasionally required. Tight time constraints and multiple demands are common.