Health/Diabetes Educator

POSITION TITLE: Health/Diabetes Educator

DEPARTMENT: Health & Human Services (HHS)

LOCATION: Longview, WA

REPORTS TO: Health Services Manager

FLSA STATUS: Exempt, Fulltime

SALARY RANGE: $88,325.42 - $105,990.52

Closing Date: July 5, 2024

• If you are an American Indian/Alaska Native and/or a Veteran and would like this to be considered for hiring, please note this on your cover letter and/or resume*

Position Summary:

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

• If you are an American Indian/Alaska Native and/or a Veteran and would like this to be considered for hiring, please note this on your cover letter and/or resume*

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

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

• Works with 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 healthful 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 improving quality measures associated with diabetes and reporting 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 Dietician 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 patient into the electronic health record.

• Receives referrals from providers and nurses.

• Assists patients with nutritional education and healthful 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 form 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 dietician 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 professional with a master's degree or higher in social work from a nationally accredited United States college, or related field preferred.

• Valid drivers 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 Cowlitz Indian Tribe Code and CIT Employee Policies and Procedures Handbook shall apply to all positions. All positions are required to adhere to CITs established safety policies regarding vaccine requirements and personal protective equipment (PPE).

Background Investigation Requirements:

• Pre-employment drug screen.

• 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 Environment:

Work is generally performed in a clinic environment. Employee may be exposed to unpleasant odors, bodily fluids, and infectious disease. 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.

The Cowlitz Indian Tribe is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and a Drug & Alcohol-Free workplace.

Except as provided by Title 25 CFR, Section 472 which allows for Indian preference in hiring, the Cowlitz Indian Tribe does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, age, sex, national origin, physical handicap, marital status, politics, or membership or non-membership in an employee organization.