Diabetes Care and Education Specialist, RN

Overview

At WakeMed, our mission is to improve the health and well-being of our community—and we do it by delivering outstanding, compassionate care.

We are hiring for a Diabetes Care and Education Specialist, RN. This BSN-prepared registered nurse functions as a specialty clinical consultant, educator, and organizational resource for patients with diabetes and complex diabetes-related care needs. The Diabetes Care and Education Specialist applies specialized knowledge, evidence-based practice, and independent nursing judgment to provide consultation, individualized diabetes education, support clinical decision-making, and promote continuity of care across inpatient and outpatient settings.

In this role, you’ll collaborate with patients, families, providers, and interdisciplinary teams to optimize glycemic management, strengthen patient self-management, support nursing knowledge and competency, and advance diabetes-related programs that improve clinical outcomes and patient satisfaction.

If you’re passionate about diabetes education, care coordination, and helping patients gain the skills and confidence to live healthier lives, we encourage you to apply and join our team!

What You’ll Do

• Provide specialty consultation and evidence-based recommendations for patients with diabetes and complex diabetes-related care needs.
• Assess and evaluate glycemic management, patient learning needs, self-management abilities, barriers to care, and readiness to learn.
• Develop and provide individualized diabetes self-management education and support based on patient needs and established standards of care.
• Coordinate diabetes education and resources for patients, families, nurses, and other healthcare professionals.
• Provide diabetes self-management education through the American Diabetes Association Recognized Self-Management Education Program, as applicable.
• Collaborate with physicians, nurses, dietitians, pharmacists, case management, and other healthcare professionals to promote coordinated, evidence-based diabetes care and successful transitions of care.
• Develop and provide evidence-based education to strengthen nursing knowledge, clinical judgment, and competency related to diabetes care within the registered nurse’s scope of practice.
• Serve as a specialty clinical resource to nursing staff and interdisciplinary teams regarding diabetes management, education, and clinical practice.
• Participate in the development and evaluation of diabetes-related policies, protocols, educational resources, and clinical practice standards.
• Monitor outcomes and participate in quality improvement, patient safety, and evidence-based practice initiatives related to diabetes care.
• Participate in hospital shared decision-making, interdisciplinary committees, and organizational initiatives related to diabetes care and nursing practice.
• Partner with department leadership to support program growth, strategic objectives, and continued advancement of diabetes care services throughout the organization.

Who You Are

• A BSN-prepared Registered Nurse with a current RN license.
• Experienced in diabetes management, patient education, care coordination, endocrinology, population health, or a related clinical specialty.
• Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist (CDCES), or able to obtain CDCES certification within one year of meeting eligibility requirements/appointment to the position, as defined by organizational requirements.
• Knowledgeable in diabetes care, glycemic management, chronic disease management, and evidence-based clinical and patient-education practices.
• Skilled in patient assessment, education, care planning, clinical decision-making, and interdisciplinary collaboration.
• Able to translate evidence and specialty knowledge into practical recommendations, patient education, and nursing practice.
• A strong communicator who builds effective relationships with patients, families, providers, nurses, and interdisciplinary healthcare teams.
• Committed to maintaining specialty knowledge and continuing professional development in diabetes care and education.
• Passionate about improving patient outcomes, promoting effective self-management, and advancing high-quality diabetes care.

Department Description

Serving the community since 1961, WakeMed Health & Hospitals is the leading provider of health services in Wake County. With a mission to improve the health and well-being of our community, we are committed to providing outstanding and compassionate care. For more information, visit www.wakemed.org.

EOE

Employee Benefits & Perks

• Free parking at all campuses
• Health, Dental, Vision + 6 free mental health consults through Lyra
• MetLife Pet Insurance
• 403(b) retirement plan
• PDO (vacation, sick, & holidays)
• Voluntary medical & daily expense insurance options
• WakeWell Rewards & wellness programs
• WakeMed Gives – financial assistance, well‑being initiatives & education support
• KinderCare & Bright Horizons childcare partnerships
• Tuition & specialty certification reimbursement
• Professional development support — we invest in your future

Licensure

Registered Nurse Required

Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist (CDCES) Preferred

Education

Bachelor's Degree Nursing Required

Experience

3 Years Nursing Required Education - Teaching and Facilitation of Learning Required