RN - Certified Diabetes Educator

The Lowell General Hospital; United States; On-site; USD 56,000 - 72,000; Full time

Job summary

Tufts Medicine is seeking a Registered Nurse for the Diabetes and Endocrine unit at Lowell General Hospital in Dracut, MA. The role provides professional nursing care and diabetes self-management education to patients and families, with a focus on discharge planning and community referrals.

The ideal candidate holds MA RN licensure, at least 3 years RN experience, and current BLS; a CDE or commitment to obtain within 1 year is preferred.

Qualifications

• Massachusetts RN licensure required.
• Three years of RN experience.
• Current BLS certification.
• CDE or must obtain within 1 year of hire.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate diabetes self-management initiatives with a multidisciplinary team.
• Provide patient education and group visits in hospital clinic and at discharge.
• Perform case management including labs interpretation and referrals.
• Develop and revise the individualized plan of care.
• Utilize nursing judgment to tailor care to patient needs.
• Guide staff and precept new teammates.
• Participate in performance improvement initiatives.
• Document accurate clinical assessments and discharge planning.
• Deliver discharge planning and connect with community resources.

Skills

Communication skills

Nursing process

Patient education

Education

Massachusetts RN Licensure

BLS Certification

Diabetes Education Certification (CDE)

BSN preferred

Job description

Hours: 40 hours weekly, Monday-Friday 8am-5pm Location: Lowell General Hospital - Diabetes and Endocrine, Dracut, MA

Job Profile Summary This role focuses on providing professional and nonprofessional nursing care services in accordance with physician orders. In addition, this role focuses on performing the following Clinical Nurse duties: Assesses, plans, implements, and evaluates the care needs of a designated group of patients or provides nursing care and identified clinical support tasks within the scope of practice for achievement of the patient’s plan of care as directed. Provides professional nursing care to patients. Requires a nursing license. A professional individual contributor role that may direct the work of other lower level professionals or manage processes and programs. The majority of time is spent overseeing the design, implementation or delivery of processes, programs and policies using specialized knowledge and skills typically acquired through advanced education. A senior level role that requires advanced knowledge of job area typically obtained through advanced education and work experience. Typically responsible for: managing projects / processes, working independently with limited supervision, coaching and reviewing the work of lower level professionals, resolving difficult and sometimes complex problems.

Job Overview

The position is responsible for providing diabetes self-management education to patients and their families in preparation for discharge home. Patients with complex illness and learning needs will be referred for health teaching and counseling in order to promote wellness and to avoid acute and long-term complications.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Massachusetts RN Licensure.
• Three (3) Years of RN Experience.
• Current Basic Life Support (BLS) Certification.
• Certification in Diabetes Education (CDE) or must obtain within 1 year of hire.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN).

Duties and Responsibilities:

• 1.Coordinates patient self-management initiatives in a family centric program using a multi-disciplinary approach in the management of patients with diabetes (Type 1, Type 2, steroid induced and cystic fibrosis related) and their families.
• 2. Works with patients diagnosed with diabetes and their families, to facilitate improving self-management age specific goals for all patients; providing lifestyle coaching and conducting one-on-one patient visits in a hospital clinic setting as well as group visits.
• 3. Provides patient education; collaborating with outside community resources.
• 4. Provides case management including oversight and interpretation of laboratory results for patients with diabetes; ordering of therapeutics, durable medical supplies and refills for prescription medications; as well as coordination of referrals and diagnostic studies as needed.
• 5. Functions in the role of expert clinician and diabetes educator to improve patient care and clinical outcomes in the hospital setting.
• 6. Participates in and maintains awareness of performance improvement initiates.
• 7. Conscientiously evaluates and integrates evidence‑based practice and research into clinical practice.
• 8. Conducts and documents accurate clinical assessments.
• 9. Develops, implements, and evaluates the patient’s individualized plan of care.
• 10. Uses professional nursing judgment to individualize the plan of care based on assessment of the patient's needs.
• 11. Manages own patient assignment by delegating and effectively based on patient needs and skills of team members.
• 12. Develops a comprehensive educational plan for the patient and family, utilizing appropriate resources, and documents according to department standards.
• 13. Recognizes patient/family rights through support of their informed decisions and advanced directives.
• 14. Continually evaluates and revises the care plan according to changes in the patient’s health status.
• 15. Develops a comprehensive discharge plan utilizing appropriate resources and referrals including community resources.
• 16. Supports the development of new staff members and helps facilitate their transition into unit.
• 17. Guides the professional growth of department staff through precepting.
• 18. Participates in professional development by identifying learning needs and seeking appropriate education.
• 19. Participates in departmental committees as needed.

Physical Requirements:

• Occasional lifting of 30-35 lbs and turning patients.
• Prolonged standing and walking.
• Occasional twisting, bending, reaching, pushing/pulling, sitting, kneeling, and squatting.
• Exposure to infectious disease and possible carcinogenic chemicals.
• Exposure of blood‑borne pathogens.
• Requires fine manual dexterity to lift and maneuver patients.
• Requires visual and aural acuity necessary to monitor patient care.

Skills & Abilities:

• Ability to effectively communicate with patients, families, physicians, and healthcare team.
• Knowledge of and application of the nursing process.

At Tufts Medicine, we want every individual to feel valued for the skills and experience they bring.

Our compensation philosophy is designed to offer fair, competitive pay that attracts, retains, and motivates highly talented individuals, while rewarding the important work you do every day. The base pay ranges reflect the minimum qualifications for the role. Individual offers are determined using a comprehensive approach that considers relevant experience, certifications, education, skills, and internal equity to ensure compensation is fair, consistent, and aligned with our business goals.

Beyond base pay, Tufts Medicine provides a comprehensive Total Rewards package that supports your health, financial security, and career growth—one of the many ways we invest in you so you can thrive both at work and outside of it.

Pay Range: $40.53 - $51.67 based on full-time equivalent

Tufts Medicine is a leading integrated health system bringing together the best of academic and community health care to deliver exceptional, connected and accessible care experiences to consumers across Massachusetts. Comprised of Tufts Medical Center, Lowell General Hospital, MelroseWakefield Healthcare, an expansive home care network and a large clinically integrated physician network, Tufts Medicine has more than 15,000 dedicated employees and caregivers. The health system came together in 2014 to leverage the experience of its member organizations and integrate their missions to together transform the ways that consumers engage with and experience their care.