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 Dietitian, Diabetes Care 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 a dynamic interaction with patients and their families across various settings. In the Ambulatory Care, the Diabetes Educator manages scheduled face-to-face and synchronous and asynchronous telemedicine consultations, support our proactive telephone triage efforts, and engage in comprehensive care management. This position works with adult patients.

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.
• Develop tailored nutrition plans that include specific dietary recommendations to support diabetes management.
• 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 - 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), Association of Diabetes Care and Education Specialists (ADCES), and the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
• Educate patients on the effective use of diabetes technology devices such as glucometers, smartpens, insulin pumps, 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
• Collaborate with educational institutions to provide practical training and education to dietetic interns, medical and nursing students.
• Participate in case management, transition of care projects, and urgent call triage tasks.

Educational Content Delivery and Development

• Participate in the development and maintenance of diabetes management and educational materials for both HSDHC, ensuring they reflect the latest clinical guidelines and research.
• Actively support efforts to maintain and enhance the ADA Recognition status of the HSDHC’s DSMES Program, ensuring compliance with national standards.
• Collaborate in developing, marketing, and facilitating educational classes and workshops not only for individuals diagnosed with diabetes but also for the general community and healthcare professionals at OHSU

• 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.
• Proficient in the nutrition care process for 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.

• Master’s degree preferred – will consider other relevant degrees
• 3 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.

Monday-Friday, shifts are variable from 8am-5pm, occasional long hours may be required and evening and
weekend work for teaching classes. Physical locations: Marquan Hill PPV 140 and OHSU Beaverton with classes
held at various OHSU locations. The position does not maintain a private office. Workspace is shared with other
team members in the outpatient clinic. Teleworking may be available based on role responsibilities.

Oregon Health & Science University values a diverse and culturally competent workforce. We are proud of our commitment to being an equal opportunity, affirmative action organization that does not discriminate against applicants on the basis of any protected class status, including disability status and protected veteran status. Individuals with diverse backgrounds and those who promote diversity and a culture of inclusion are encouraged to apply. To request reasonable accommodation contact the Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Department at 503-494-5148 or aaeo@ohsu.edu.