Diabetes Care Nurse Practitioner

Description

JOB SUMMARY

Under the direction of the Executive Director of Physician Practices and in collaboration with the Practice Physician and Chief Nursing Officer, the Diabetes Care Nurse Practitioner provides comprehensive outpatient care for patients with diabetes and related metabolic conditions. Under appropriate physician oversight and within the authorized scope of practice, the Nurse Practitioner assesses, diagnoses, treats, and monitors patients; prescribes medications and therapies; and provides education to support disease management and improved health outcomes. The position collaborates with physicians and interdisciplinary team members to deliver evidence-based, patient-centered care while serving as a clinical leader for the Diabetes Clinic. In this role, the Nurse Practitioner supports the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of clinical programs, workflows, treatment protocols, patient education resources, quality initiatives, and population health strategies. Care is provided in accordance with applicable laws, regulatory requirements, clinical standards, and organizational policies. This role requires strong clinical judgment, effective communication, and the ability to practice independently while maintaining collaborative physician partnerships.

STANDARDS OF PERFORMANCE

Clinical Assessment and Treatment

• Evaluates, diagnoses, treats, and manages diabetes and related metabolic conditions in accordance with the authorized scope of practice, applicable laws, and EHS policies.
• Establishes rapport and obtains complete medical, medication, and social histories to guide individualized care.
• Performs physical examinations and clinical assessments to identify signs, symptoms, risk factors, and complications of diabetes and related chronic conditions.
• Develops, implements, evaluates, and adjusts individualized treatment plans based on clinical needs, evidence-based standards, laboratory results, medications, patient goals, and response to treatment.
• Initiates, adjusts, and monitors oral, injectable, insulin, and other therapies within the authorized scope of practice and provides appropriate medication education.
• Uses blood glucose and continuous glucose monitoring systems, insulin delivery devices, and other diabetes technologies to assess and manage care.
• Orders and interprets appropriate laboratory and diagnostic tests and incorporates results into treatment plans.
• Recognizes and manages acute and chronic diabetes-related complications, including hypoglycemia, hyperglycemia, and significant changes in condition, and escalates care or initiates specialty referrals as needed.
• Assesses and manages cardiovascular risk factors and common comorbidities, including hypertension, dyslipidemia, obesity, and renal disease.
• Promotes evidence-based preventive care, including laboratory monitoring, renal assessment, foot care, retinal screening, cardiovascular risk assessment, and immunizations.

Patient Education and Self-Management

• Educates patients and families about disease processes, medications, nutrition, physical activity, glucose monitoring, diabetes technology, weight management, complication prevention, and lifestyle changes.
• Promotes patient independence by establishing individualized, measurable treatment and behavioral goals.

Care Coordination and Clinical Leadership

• Collaborates with the Diabetes Educator/RN and interdisciplinary care team to coordinate education, treatment, follow-up, and care management.
• Guides nursing and clinical staff on diabetes care, workflows, education, and treatment plans within the appropriate scope of practice.
• Supports continuity of care by communicating findings, treatment plans, concerns, and follow-up needs to primary care providers, specialists, and other team members.
• Coordinates clinically indicated referrals to specialty and support services, including endocrinology, cardiology, nephrology, ophthalmology, podiatry, nutrition, behavioral health, and pharmacy.
• Supports the recruitment, orientation, training, development, and mentoring of clinical staff involved in Diabetes Clinic services.

Program Development and Quality Improvement

• Helps develop, implement, and evaluate Diabetes Clinic protocols, workflows, standing orders, patient education programs, and evidence-based care standards.
• Supports population health initiatives by identifying uncontrolled diabetes, care gaps, overdue monitoring, and other opportunities for intervention.
• Participates in quality improvement activities and monitors relevant diabetes outcomes and performance measures.
• Promotes efficient patient flow, timely access, clinical productivity, and responsible use of organizational resources.

Documentation, Compliance, and Professional Development

• Maintains accurate, timely, and complete electronic medical records of assessments, diagnoses, treatment plans, medications, education, clinical decisions, and follow-up care.
• Completes documentation within established EHS timeframes to support continuity of care, medical necessity, regulatory compliance, quality reporting, and appropriate reimbursement.
• Safeguards patient and organizational information and maintains confidentiality in accordance with applicable requirements.
• Maintains a safe, clean, and organized work environment in compliance with applicable procedures, regulations, infection-control standards, and patient safety requirements.
• Maintains professional and technical competence through continuing education and current knowledge of diabetes medications, technologies, treatment guidelines, and evidence-based standards.
• Participates in required provider, departmental, organizational, and educational meetings and activities.
• Performs other duties as assigned within the scope of the position, licensure, and training.

Requirements

Minimum Level of Education: Bachelor of Science in Nursing and successful completion of a master’s-level nurse practitioner program required. Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) preferred.

Formal Training: Nurse Practitioner education and clinical training, with demonstrated expertise in primary care, endocrinology, pharmacology, diabetes and chronic disease management, disease prevention, patient education, and evidence-based practice. Requires strong assessment, diagnostic, clinical decision-making, and treatment-planning skills for patients with diabetes and related metabolic conditions. Effective communication, interdisciplinary collaboration, and organizational skills in planning, implementation, interviewing, and counseling are essential. Experience in program development, quality improvement, workflow optimization, and population health initiatives is strongly preferred.

Licensure, Certification, and Registration: Must maintain a current, unencumbered Georgia license as an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse/Nurse Practitioner, national board certification in the applicable Nurse Practitioner specialty, and current Basic Life Support (BLS) CPR certification. Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist (CDCES) credentials must be obtained within one year of hire and maintained thereafter.

Work Experience: A minimum of two (2) years of experience as a Nurse Practitioner in primary care, family medicine, internal medicine, endocrinology, or a related ambulatory care setting is required. Preference will be given to candidates with demonstrated experience in diabetes management, chronic disease management, population health, and patient education.

Computer Skills: Proficiency in Microsoft Office and electronic health record/electronic medical record (EHR/EMR) systems are required. Experience using telehealth, electronic prescribing, and clinical decision-support platforms is preferred.