Diabetes Care and Education Specialist

Park Nicollet is looking to hire a Diabetes Care and Education Specialist to join our team! Come join us as a Partner for Good and help us make an impact on the care and experience that our patients and their families receive every day.

Position Summary:

All team members support the mission, vision, and values of HealthPartners and follow all organizational policies and procedures.

The Diabetes Care and Education Specialist (DCES) is a Registered Nurse or Registered Dietitian with advanced knowledge in diabetes care, including nutrition interventions. The DCES provides direct care, education, and support across the lifespan, helping individuals with diabetes reach personalized goals related to nutrition, behavior, and treatment.

Using evidence-based strategies and collaborative care planning, the DCES promotes self-management, reduces risks, and improves health outcomes. As a key member of the care team, the DCES demonstrates professionalism, flexibility, and strong interpersonal skills, while maintaining patient confidentiality and rights. The DCES works closely with managing clinicians to deliver integrated, person-centered care and serves as a resource for the broader care team.

The DCES follows a structured approach to care-assessing, planning, implementing, and evaluating-in alignment with the RN scope of practice or the Scope and Standards of Practice for Credentialed Dietetic Professionals, as well as HealthPartners protocols. Diabetes education programs in ambulatory settings must also meet standards set by our accrediting organization.

Make a meaningful impact by supporting patients across hospital inpatient and ambulatory care settings. In this flexible role, you'll help ensure safe, timely discharges, bridge transitions of care, and empower patients with the tools they need for successful self-management. Your expertise will reduce readmissions, improve quality outcomes, and strengthen collaboration with Primary Care and Endocrinology teams. If you're passionate about advancing diabetes care and want a role that truly makes a difference, we'd love to have you on our team!

Work Schedule:

Monday - Friday 8AM - 4:30PM; casual position

Required Qualifications:

• Education, Experience or Equivalent Combination:
  • Bachelor's degree in Nursing or Nutrition and/or Dietetics with 2 years of prior experience in diabetes care and education, or Associate's degree in nursing with 4 years of prior experience in diabetes care and education.
• Licensure/ Registration/ Certification:
  • Maintain a current Minnesota registered nurses' licensure or dietitians require Dietetic registration (RDN) and current Licensure in the state of Minnesota (LD)
  • Submission of application to the State of WI Department of Safety and Professional Services for registered nurse and/or dietitian licensure required upon hire and licensure maintained for those working in ambulatory care setting.
  • Current national certification as a Certified Diabetes Care & Education Specialist (CDCES) or ability to become certified within 24 months of hire
  • Current BLS certification for health professionals through the American Heart Association or Red Cross required and maintained. On-line BLS certification is not acceptable.
• Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
  • Effective Communication: Strong verbal and written skills; able to uphold clinical standards and professional ethics per the Nurse Practice Act or Scope and Standards for Credentialed Dietetic Professionals.
  • Clinical Judgment: Demonstrates critical thinking, sound decision-making, and the ability to work independently while contributing to a collaborative team environment.
  • Patient-Centered Service: Provides compassionate, professional care with tact and diplomacy in interactions with patients, families, and clinic staff.
  • Education & Engagement: Assesses patient education needs and communicates relevant information clearly to patients, families, and care teams.
  • Organization & Resilience: Skilled in planning, prioritizing, and completing tasks efficiently while remaining calm and focused under pressure.
  • Technology Proficiency: Proficient in electronic medical records and Microsoft Office (Outlook, Teams, Word, Excel); strong keyboarding skills.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Education, Experience or Equivalent Combination:
  • 4 years of prior experience in diabetes care and education
• Licensure/ Registration/ Certification:
  • Professional association membership in American Diabetes Association (ADA) and/or Association of Diabetes Care and Education Specialists (ADCES).
• Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
  • Familiar with Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support (DSMES), The ADCES7 Self Care Behaviors, and the ADA Standards of Care.

Benefits:

Park Nicollet offers a competitive benefits package (for eligible positions) that includes medical insurance, dental insurance, a retirement program, time away from work, insurance options, tuition reimbursement, an employee assistance program, onsite clinic and much more!