Navajo Preference Employment Act : In accordance with Navajo Nation and federal law, TCRHCC has implemented an Affirmative Action Plan pursuant to the Navajo Preference in Employment Act. Pursuant to this Plan and corresponding TCRHCC Policy, applicants who meet the necessary qualifications for this position and (1) are enrolled members of the Navajo Nation, Hopi Tribe, or San Juan Southern Paiute Tribe will be given preference in hiring and employment for this position, (2) are legally married to enrolled members of the Navajo Nation, Hopi Tribe, or San Juan Southern Paiute Tribe and meet residency requirements will be given secondary preference, and (3) are enrolled members of other federally-recognized American Indian Tribes will be given tertiary preference. Overview:

The incumbent is responsible to direct the Diabetes Education and Clinical Nutrition Program at Sacred Peaks Health Center. This entails the following: development and implementation of program goals and objectives with SPHC Medical Director, SPHC Director of Ambulatory Care Services, and TCRHCC Director of Diabetes Education and Clinical Nutrition; planning and implementation of the SPHC diabetes self-management education (DSME) program; evaluation of the DSME program outcomes to direct continuous quality improvement efforts; maintenance of the diabetes registry; completion of the annual Indian Health Service diabetes audit; and consulting on nutrition care to multiple departments involved in direct patient care. The incumbent provides case management services for a sub-population of patients with diabetes, e.g. newly-diagnosed, patients who are pregnant, diabetes in youth, uncontrolled T2DM, etc. Provides direct outpatient medical nutrition therapy to patients with and without diabetes, nutrition/diabetes case management services, and diabetes self-management training in both group and individual settings. Incumbent completes annual foot and diabetic eye screening, glucometer, and continuous glucose monitoring education. Incumbent participates in weekend/holiday rotating on-call schedule to provide medical nutrition therapy for TCRHCC inpatients, both with and without diabetes. Incumbent may also be called upon to provide MNT and DSME services at TCRHCC during the week as needed. This position is a Monday through Friday, 8 am to 5 pm position.

Qualifications:

• Must be a current Registered Dietitian in good standing with the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR)
• Must be a Certified Diabetes Care & Education Specialist (CDCES) and/or Board-Certified in Advanced Diabetes Management (BC-ADM)
• Must have and maintain current BLS Certification with the American Heart Association (AHA)
• Must obtain and maintain current New Mexico State Registered Dietitian Licensure (LD) within one (1) month of hire

• Must have at least two (2) years of experience in clinical nutrition in an inpatient or outpatient setting.
• Must have at least three (3) years of experience in comprehensive diabetes self-management education.

• Positive working relationships with others; cooperating effectively in teams for the benefit of patient care
• Possession of high ethical standards and no history of complaints
• Reliable and dependable; reports to work as scheduled without excessive absences
• Effective verbal and written communication skills; exceptional communication and interpersonal skills are essential
• Ability to prioritize duties and work independently; must be self-motivated
• Experience with Microsoft Office and other computer applications
• Successful completion of and positive results from all background and reference checks, including positive employment references from authorized representatives of past and current employers demonstrating to the satisfaction of TCRHCC a record of satisfactory performance and that the applicant can perform the essential functions of the job
• Successful completion of fingerprint clearance requirements, physical examinations, and other screenings indicating that the applicant is qualified to be employed by TCRHCC and demonstrating to the satisfaction of TCRHCC that the applicant can perform the essential functions of the job
• Submission of all required employment-related documents, applications, resumes, references, and other required information free of false, misleading, or incomplete information, as determined by TCRHCC.

Responsibilities:

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Provides outpatient medical nutrition therapy and diabetes self-management education.
• Performs individual patient needs assessment to evaluate intervention priorities. Assesses patient needs, medical condition, lab values, nutrition and weight status, self-management abilities, psychosocial concerns, learning factors, mental and emotional health status, access to health care resources, and glycemic control. Provides appropriate level and frequency of care for patients and their families as identified in the individual assessment.
• As part of the health care team, identifies realistic and appropriate interventions and goals based on needs assessment. Supports the patient and health care team in completing the intervention and meeting goals.
• Independently assures planning, development, implementation, and evaluation of the SPHC Diabetes Education and Clinical Nutrition program, such as screening protocols, nutrition/diabetes policy and procedure, marketing, and performance improvement activities.
• Development and carries out SDPI grant objectives, activities, and budgets as it relates to SPHC diabetes treatment and prevention. Participates in the development of the TCRHCC Diabetes Education and Clinical Nutrition budgets as it relates to SPHC.
• Leads in the development of diverse interdisciplinary SPHC programs related to diabetes and obesity prevention and treatment among pediatric and adult patients.
• Leads diabetes self-management education in both individual and group settings utilizing the IHS “Balancing Your Life with Diabetes”, Beautiful Beginnings, and American Association of Diabetes Educators curricula.
• Maintains a registry of patients with diabetes through the Electronic Health Record or another electronic system.
• Tracks and reports productivity through patient contacts and outcomes on a daily, weekly, monthly, and quarterly basis.
• Applies theoretical approaches such as motivational interviewing, stages of change theory, and empowerment theory to facilitate behavior change. Effectively communicates with patients and families in a culturally sensitive manner.
• Develops and implements tele-nutrition programs for various populations, including the Adolescent Medicine team to provide MNT to teens in school-based clinics, and other Indian Health Services sites, providing nutrition consultant services to a variety of sites and disciplines.
• Provides consultant services to pediatricians on infant nutrition, pediatric nutrition, adolescent nutrition, and specialty pediatric care program development.
• Recommends adjustment of treatment plan utilizing patient blood glucose monitoring data to optimize glycemic control. If adjustments in medications are indicated, consultation with the primary care provider or attending physician is done; if the primary care provider or attending physician is not available, consultation will be done with the physician on call from the same service.
• Serves as an essential member of the primary care team for patients with nutrition, weight, and/or physical activity-related conditions as part of the Patient-Centered Medical Home (PCMH) initiative. Serves as a liaison between the individual and primary care provider to ensure the highest quality of coordinated care.
• Utilizes a case management model to follow sub-populations of diabetes patients. Ensures patients receive recommended services and appropriate follow-up according the to Diabetes Standards of Care.
• Provides consultation to medical, nursing, and other staff throughout SPHC to provide coordinated, team-based, high-quality diabetes and nutrition care in all settings.
• Attends and participates in Clinical Services team meetings, SPHC staff meetings, TCRHCC Diabetes Advisory Committee, and other committee efforts as appropriate.
• Serves as a clinical expert and resource on diabetes, nutrition, and pediatric nutrition, maternal health and wellness to SPHC. Initiates and develops in-service training to staff to keep staff updated on issues pertaining to pediatrics, maternal, diabetes, and nutrition.
• Provides inpatient medical nutrition therapy to patients with and without diabetes on a rotating weekend/holiday on-call schedule.
• Prepares patient education materials as needed, seeking approval for use of new or updated materials through the Patient Education Materials Committee.
• Maintains confidentiality regarding administrative and patient related care.
• Maintains current licensure, job-related competencies, and knowledge of evidence-based guidelines through active participation in continuing education, independent study, seminars, in-services, and dialogue with colleagues.
• Develops and assists with Performance Improvement initiatives.
• Operates, monitors, and maintains patient care equipment.
• Employs the Association of Diabetes Care & Education Specialist AADE7 Self-Care Behaviors framework.
• Assists Community Connectors by providing distribution of food, water and other necessary essentials to community members who are in isolation or quarantine.
• Assists the Contact Tracing team by performing contact tracing activities for patients testing positive for Covid-19, and conducting negative results calling.
• Assists the Screener/Greeter at various entry points to ensure appropriate screening for all patients and visitors entering the TCRHCC campus.
• Ensure proper PPE is always worn while on duty including but not limited to, face mask, gloves, gown, isolation gown, NIOSH-approved N95 filtering facepiece respirator or higher, if available), and eye or face shield.
• Complete all donning and doffing tasks in a safe acceptable method and discard of used PPE accordingly (see CDC website for most current updates).
• Complete task training for all routine cleaning and decontamination processes for all surfaces contaminated by a communicable disease to ensure a high level of patient, visitor, employee, and external customer satisfaction.
• Performs other duties as assigned.