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.