Dietitian, Certified Diabetes Educator

15 12 2007

The Joslin Diabetes Center Affiliate at The Western Pennsylvania Hospital, a national affiliate of the world-renowned Joslin Diabetes Center in Boston, offers comprehensive treatment to individuals in the tri-state area with diabetes. The American Diabetes Association (ADA) has awarded the Joslin Diabetes Center Affiliate at West Penn its prestigious three-year Certificate of Recognition for the Center’s Diabetes Self-Management Program. Through this program, patients are provided state-of-the-art information and the skills necessary for self-management of diabetes. The Center’s certified diabetes educators also offer additional services for patients and families. We seek a registered dietitian to assess, plan and implement diabetes education for patients and families. This position works collaboratively with physicians, assists with blood glucose management, and provides continuing education to health care professionals in the community. Candidates must possess excellent interpersonal and communication skills in a classroom teaching environment; have experience in diabetes education; and be a PA licensed LDN.  CDE is also required. We offer a competitive salary and flexible benefits package. For consideration, please visit our website at jobs.wpahs.org . Equal Opportunity Employer





Health Promotion Diabetes Educator

10 12 2007

The University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) is nationally recognized as a provider of state-of-the-art, progressive health care services. UPMC is western Pennsylvania’s largest private employer and one of the largest medical centers in the nation. Year after year, UPMC is ranked for excellence by U.S. News & World Report.

UPMC Health Plan is seeking a health promotion diabetes educator for our downtown Pittsburgh location. The health promotion diabetes educator serves within the Health Plan’s Health Promotion Department as a consultant to the customer or employer. Responsibilities include but are not limited to: educating employers to the benefits of health promotion for large commercial accounts; managing and developing health promotion programs specifically related to nutrition and weight management; developing health promotion strategies that integrate with the workplace culture of the employer; and assisting in the design, development, implementation and evaluation of workplace health promotion programs.

Candidates must be certified diabetes educators (CDE), registered dietitians, registered nurses, or have a master’s degree in a health-related field such as: health promotion, public health, nutrition, exercise physiology, health education, or social work. Two years of experience in planning, implementing, and evaluating disease prevention and health promotion programs and one year of experience in business, sales, or marketing are also required. The ideal candidate will possess the ability to assist in the performance of minimally invasive and non-invasive clinical measures, proven administrative abilities, excellent interpersonal skills, and the ability to work in a team environment with minimal supervision. An intermediate level of proficiency with Microsoft Office products including Word, Excel, Access and PowerPoint as well as motivation to learn operations of new software to support program documentation and data collection is also necessary. Knowledge and experience supporting health behavior change utilizing motivational interviewing strategies is preferred. Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) certified or CHES eligible also desired.

UPMC offers a competitive compensation and benefits package along with a strong growth-oriented working environment. We offer challenging projects and training to help ensure your success

We welcome you to apply at www.upmc.com by following these steps; click Careers at UPMC, Start My Job Search, and follow the link to continue to search and apply for openings. Select Advanced Search and enter 1025501 in the job opening ID field.

UPMC is an equal opportunity employer.





Care Manager Preventionist

10 12 2007

The University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) is nationally recognized as a provider of state-of-the-art, progressive health care services. UPMC is western Pennsylvania’s largest private employer and one of the largest medical centers in the nation. Year after year, UPMC is ranked for excellence by U.S. News & World Report.

UPMC Health Plan is seeking a care manager preventionist for our downtown Pittsburgh location. This individual ensures continuity and coordination of care for Health Plan members with a focus on prevention and education for early diagnosis of diabetes, cardiovascular disease and/or chronic illnesses and complex medical needs. The care manager preventionist participates in activities that include education, care services, and consultation for health management and prevention. This individual also provides individualized and group education for persons who are UPMC Health Plan members, their families and other interested caregivers.

This position requires the ability travel between the Health Plan and other facilities/provider offices, and the ability to work various hours/days. The incumbent will participate in the American Diabetes Association recognition process, community programs, activities and screenings. In addition, this individual will assist in the development and review of training materials for staff, other UPMC Health Plan Departments and network providers. Requirements include: a combination of five years of experience in clinical, utilization management, home care, discharge planning, patient education and/or case management. A valid Pennsylvania RN license and a bachelor’s degree in nursing are also required. Case manager certification or diabetes educator (CDE) certification are highly preferred. Screening Preventionist Training and Certification, Lifestyle Preventionist Training and Certification, Comprehensive Preventionist Certification, and DPSC Certification I & II are highly preferred.

UPMC offers a competitive compensation and benefits package along with a strong growth-oriented working environment. We offer challenging projects and training to help ensure your success.

We welcome you to apply at www.upmc.com by following these steps; click Careers at UPMC, Start My Job Search, and follow the link to continue to search and apply for openings. Select Advanced Search and enter1026366 in the job opening ID field.

UPMC is an equal opportunity employer.





How Women Can Lower Their Diabetes Risk

5 12 2007

By Annette R. Karnash, R.N., M.N.

In an 11 year study at the University of Minnesota, drinking coffee cut women’s risk of developing diabetes – especially those who drank decaffeinated coffee. Data on 29,00 women whose age, physical activity, smoking, body mass index, consumption of certain foods and beverages were considered, found those who drank more than 6 cups of regular coffee daily were 22% less likely to develop type 2 diabetes and those who drank decaffeinated coffee were 33% less likely to develop type 2 diabetes.

Interestingly, caffeine was not the determining factor but a powerful antioxidant chemical component similar to those found in berries and grapes. A component, chlorogesic acid, seems to slow the absorption of sugar by cells. This component is also available in red wine and chocolate.





Diabetes and Depression

5 12 2007

By Annette R. Karnash, R.N., M.N.

Diabetes and depression coincide simultaneously so frequently that it is thought that one may cause the other, but which comes first, the chicken or the egg? No one questions that living with a chronic, hazardous disease can allow for depression. Some researchers feel that hormonal changes that accompany depression can lead to diabetes and an analysis of a large diabetic prevention trial states that the use of anti-depressants may be linked to diabetes.

Unfortunately both diabetes and depression are intertwined with heart disease. Beware of signs of depression in your patients with diabetes because it can interfere with efforts to control blood sugar through eating well, taking medications and exercising. If the patient with diabetes is depressed, blood sugar should be monitored more closely to avoid heart attack or stroke.<