Certified Diabetic Educator Training

Certified diabetic educators help people who have diabetes understand and manage their condition. Health care professionals may pursue specialized training in order to take on the role of a certified diabetic educator. Examples of professionals who may become diabetic educators include registered nurses, pharmacists, physicians, optometrists and mental health professionals.

Diabetes Basics

Diabetes requires patients to practice good self-care. Diabetes educators are trained to help patients understand different aspects of the disease, including what factors are under the patients control. For example, healthy diet choices and portion control can help keep blood glucose levels at the target range. Educators can also encourage patients to be active and control their body weight, cholesterol levels and blood pressure, helping them avoid serious complications.

Certification

A certified diabetes educator (CDE) earns this designation through the National Certification Board of Diabetes Educators. A candidate to become CDEs must be a licensed health care professional such as a registered nurse, clinical psychologist or physician. Candidates with a masters degree in social work or nutrition also are eligible, but at least two years of experience in the health care field is required. The board also mandates at least 1,000 hours of working in diabetes self-management.

Training Options

Training to become a certified diabetes educator can be done online or by attending classes at teaching hospitals or other health care facilities. The American Association of Diabetes Educators provides many resources for professionals in this field, including publications and online resources. The organization accredits training programs that will help educators meet certification requirements (see state-by-state list in Resources).

Skills Learned

Diabetes educators receive detailed training in the nutritional content of food. This includes reading labels and counting carbohydrates. Educators learn how to teach diabetics to balance nutrition, exercise and medications to keep blood sugar in the target range. They are trained to explain techniques for promoting safe medication use, which includes both oral medication and insulin, and they can help patients understand how their medications work. They also learn stress management techniques and can help people adjust emotionally to diabetes.

Other Considerations

Certified diabetes educators provide services in hospitals, doctors offices, pharmacies and home health care settings. They are trained to provide diabetes education not only to patients, but to other health-care providers. CDEs work closely with physicians, pharmacists and nurse-practitioners. They are taught to manage special situations, such as gestational diabetes, which is diabetes that develops during pregnancy. Overall, they help diabetics lead more productive lives at work and at home.