Registered Dietitian – Diabetes Program – Shelburne 0.5 FTE

0.5 FTE or 18.75 hours per week

The Registered Dietitians (RDs) with the Diabetes program are a vital part of the Dufferin Area Family Health Team (DAFHT) and will collaborate with the physicians and other interdisciplinary providers to achieve the vision and mission of the organization.
The RD will help the FHT meet its strategic objectives by participating in the chronic disease management, health promotion and disease prevention programs, educating patients and team members in best-practice methods.

The DAFHT currently has an opportunity at our Shelburne office for a part-time RD in the Diabetes Program to join our compassionate, dynamic team.This position is primarily office based but may include some opportunities to work remotely.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Work within the RD scope of practice as determined by the College of Dietitians of Ontario and, if applicable, the CDE designation.
• Screen, prioritize and process client referrals using information obtained through the physician, laboratory reports and health records.
• Provide assessment for adult patients living with primarily type 2 diabetes (but may also include stable type 1 or LADA), considering the patient's level of knowledge, readiness to change, and socio-demographic background.
• Complete nutrition and health assessments to develop a nutrition/diabetes care plan with the patient and health care team by integrating information about the patient's health status, clinical practice guidelines, and available community resources.
• Provide counselling and/or education, including follow-up assessment and support for behaviour change.
• Educate the patient on disease management, self-management, and lifestyle improvement, including disease overview, exercise and activity, medication, nutrition, insulin, blood sugar monitoring, flash/continuous glucose monitors, acute complications, hygiene, and follow-up.
• Be able to identify and prioritize complex health and social issues.
• Evaluation of the attainment of self-management goals and risk reduction behaviour.
• Ensure complete, accurate, and timely documentation of program activities and medical records.
• Communicate information clearly and concisely to clients and healthcare providers regularly.
• Present health education sessions on diabetes in a group setting using established teaching/learning theory principles and lifestyle counselling.
• Identify and build relationships with various community partners.
• Present clinical practice guideline updates to healthcare providers and clinical partners.
• Provide learning opportunities to students, new hires, and colleagues.
• Recommend improvements to existing procedures/services.
• Facilitate teamwork and promote group effectiveness.
• Manage, review, and make recommendations regarding protocols for educating patients.
• Work effectively within an interdisciplinary team.
• Assist in coordinating the Shelburne diabetes program, including administration, teaching, clinical responsibilities, collaborating with pharmaceutical and product representatives, evaluation, and continuous quality improvement.
• Manage the inventory of diabetes supplies.
• Practice within the scope and according to standards of practice as outlined by the College of Dietitians of Ontario.
• Be available for after-hours appointments one evening per week.

Skills and Abilities:

• Strong knowledge of diabetes pathophysiology, related laboratory values, pharmacotherapy, and lifestyle management.
• Solid skills in evidence-based practice, outreach, health promotion, interdisciplinary collaboration, and problem-solving.
• Intermediate experience and strength in applying motivational interviewing counselling techniques in an adult population.
• Experience with blood glucose monitoring/flash glucose monitors, foot care, blood pressure and lipid management, medications, insulin initiation and titration, injection training, and working with medical directives.
• Knowledge and proficiency in current, evidence-based methods and practices of primary care delivery, including an excellent working knowledge of the Diabetes Canada Clinical Practice Guidelines.
• Expertise in developing strategies that successfully meet the needs of diverse patient, family, and provider populations.
• An understanding of and critical analysis of the determinants of health and social factors.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to clearly convey information and ideas.
• Ability to work effectively with all members of the health care team.
• Capability to prioritize, manage time effectively and be flexible in a very active work environment.
• Willingness to teach and train other members of the interdisciplinary team or students as required.
• Exhibit sound clinical judgment concerning treatment recommendations.
• Superior problem-solving skills and flexibility, with the ability to prioritize, manage time effectively and be flexible in a very active work environment.
• Work in a manner that preserves privacy and confidentiality.
• Assist in developing individual patient programs, identifying priorities, target dates and implementation strategies.
• Manage, review, and make recommendations regarding protocols for the chronic disease education of FHT patients.
• Understanding and proficiency in developing and conducting educational programs for learners and experience in evaluating learning activities specific to individual performance.
• Facilitate group educational sessions using established adult teaching/learning theory principles and lifestyle counselling, using principles of adult learning.

Education and Experience:

• Undergraduate degree in food and nutrition from a recognized university or equivalent.
• Dietitians of Canada accredited Dietetic Internship or equivalent approved experience or graduate degree in community nutrition.
• Registered member in good standing with the College of Dietitians of Ontario.
• Certified Diabetes Educator (CDE) or evidence of working towards attaining is an asset.
• 2 years of experience in supporting and educating adults (18 +) primarily with DM2 (but may also include stable type 1 or LADA patients), being managed with lifestyle, oral medication, or insulin preferred.
• Insulin initiation and titration skills, use of medical directives, and knowledge of flash/continuous glucose monitors are assets.
• Demonstrated experience in community or primary care settings.
• Skilled in case management and case coordination with members of the interdisciplinary team and services within the community preferred.
• Resourcefulness in working with communities and individuals who face barriers to accessing traditional healthcare institutions, such as poverty, discrimination, mental health, and substance use issues, is an asset.
• Basic CPR certification.
• Solid skills and experience using Microsoft applications (Word, Outlook, Excel & PowerPoint).
• Experience and accuracy using electronic medical records (EMR) (i.e., Telus PS Suites) arean asset.
• Willingness to learn new software and to continuously dev.