Diabetes Education Worker

  • Program Title: Diabetes Education Worker
    Delivery: Online
    Credential: Diploma
    Program Length: 3 Semesters (One year)
    Program Availability: Full time or Part time
    Offered: This program is available starting every Monday.

    Program Description

    As of 2008, there are 2.8 million Canadians diagnosed with Diabetes. Making diabetes education available to your First Nation is essential to the well being of your community members. As a Diabetes Education Worker, part of your job is to increase the knowledge of other health professionals and providers in the community who are involved with the care of people with diabetes, ensuring continuity and quality of diabetes care for the client. Students graduate with the knowledge and practical skills necessary to assist in the development and deliverance of relevant and essential diabetes services at the community level.

    Diabetes Education Workers are knowledgeable about, and understand that indigenous laws, protocols, languages and holistic teachings are integral to the survival of healthy individuals, families and communities, and must be respected and promoted at all times.  The Diabetes Worker applies culture standards and indigenous knowledge in the performance of their duties when working with indigenous individuals, families, communities and Elders.

    On completion of the program, students may write the exam with the Canadian Diabetes Association for the designation Certified Diabetes Educator. There are additional requirements in becoming recognized as a Diabetes Educator through the Canadian Diabetes Educator Certification Board. View more information here.

    Students have a total of fifty-two (52) weeks to complete their program requirements, starting from the date of their first course.

    Learning Outcomes

    1. Increase awareness of diabetes, diabetes risk factors and complications as well as ways to prevent diabetes and diabetes complications in First Nations and Inuit communities.
    2. Support activities targeted at healthy eating and food security.
    3. Increase the early detection and screening for complications of diabetes in First Nations and Aboriginal communities.
    4. Increase community member capacity to prevent and self-manage diabetes and health providers to capacity to support communities towards effective diabetes care.
    5. Increase knowledge development and information-sharing to inform community-led evidence-based activities.
    6. Develop partnerships to maximize the reach and impact of health promotion and primary prevention activities.

    Your Career

    Graduates may find employment in a variety of community practice settings, including, but not limited to: First Nation Communities, First Nations Nursing Stations/Health Clinics, Area Health Access Centre’s, Family Health Teams, Health Authorities, Tribal Councils, and Treaty Organizations.  The Diabetes Worker participates as an active member of the community diabetes health care team under the professional supervision of the Primary Health Care Providers and/or Diabetes Educators across a variety of health disciplines.  In addition, the Diabetes Worker graduates obtain cultural direction from their respected traditional Elders and Healers, are accountable to Health Administrators/Directors and/or Supervisors.

  • Admission Requirements

    College Eligibility

    • Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or equivalent; OR
    • Academic and Career Entrance (ACE) Certificate; OR
    • General Educational Development (GED); OR
    • Mature Student status (19 years of age or older and without a high school diploma at the start of the program).

    Call the Admissions Office at 1 (800) 267-2577 for more details. Academic prerequisites for this program may be obtained free of charge through Academic Upgrading.

    Application Process
    Program intake – Apply to this program by visiting our Registration page. If you are entering into this program as a mature student please attach your resume when submitting your registration information online.

  • Courses

    Semester 1
    Study Skills Strategies
    Report Writing
    Communication Strategies
    Public Speaking and Presentation Skills
    Research Skills Development

    Semester 2
    Introduction to Patient Education
    The Basics of Diabetes Care
    Living with Diabetes
    Special Issues with Diabetes
    Diabetes Field Placement

    Semester 3
    Introduction to Medication Administration
    Medications and Their Effects on the Body
    Communication and Documentation
    Safety
    Care of Individuals with Epilepsy

    Every attempt is made to ensure the accuracy of information provided on our website. The College reserves the right to modify any course, program, curriculum, fee, timetable, or campus location at any time.

    Register for this course.

  • Course Descriptions

    Semester 1
    Study Skills Strategies
    This course will enable students to assess their current study skills and plan for improvement. Students will practice time-management techniques for successful studying. Students will learn to develop powerful reading skills and practice memory techniques to enhance ability to learn and improve test performance. This course will also help students to develop specific study skills for mathematics and related subjects and implement an action plan to improve them.

    Report Writing
    In this course students will learn four stages of report writing, and nine tips for effective writing that will help them create materials that are engaging, understandable, and most important, get read. In addition, students will learn about using persuasive language to write effective proposals.

    Communication Strategies
    This course will enable students to identify common communication problems and develop skills to ask questions. Students will learn what their non-verbal messages are saying and develop skills in listening actively and empathetically to others. Upon completion of this course students should have an enhanced ability to handle difficult situations and communicate assertively.

    Public Speaking and Presentation Skills
    This course prepares students to write and deliver effective speeches and presentations. Students will examine basic etiquette and body language and learn how to conquer fears about addressing a large audience. Students will learn to write successful speech, give dynamic, memorable and persuasive presentations, and control stage fright and make positive use of nervous energy.

    Research Skills Development
    This course introduces students to several different tools so that they can become a stronger researcher and can create proposals, reports, or simply find good information and review it. Students will start by learning basic research skills techniques like reading, memory recall, note-taking, and planning. Participants also learn about different kinds of outlines, and how to move to writing, editing, and polishing the final work while sharing how to use different sources such as libraries, journals, and the Internet.

    Semester 2
    Introduction to Patient Education
    This course is designed to examine the dynamic and changing field of diabetes education and how diabetes educators need to respond to changes in practice. Their role is crucial in a disease where the primary care provider is the client. The goal of diabetes education is to assist people to develop the skills and strategies they need to manage diabetes. Students will learn methods used to promote self-management may be to increase knowledge, provide skills, and change attitudes and behaviour.

    The Basics of Diabetes Care
    This course will address the disease process and management and control of diabetes to reduce the risk of complications. Students will examine essential elements of diabetes control – balance of food, physical activity and medication.

    Living with Diabetes
    This course is designed for health care providers working in or planning to work in the field of diabetes education. Students will examine hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia and the impact on diabetes self-management. Topics include eating according to a healthy meal plan, being physically active, managing diabetes targets (blood glucose, blood pressure and cholesterol levels).

    Special Issues with Diabetes
    This course explores the design and evaluation of Diabetes education programs. Students will examine special issues related to diabetes and long-term complications. Consider diabetic pregnancy, gestational diabetes, and diabetes in children, adolescents and the elderly.

    Diabetes Field Placement
    The student will learn about basic diabetes education and techniques of adult education. They will design and deliver lessons to clients and evaluate both teaching and learning.

    Semester 3
    Preventive Foot Care in People With Diabetes
    Foot problems are very common in people with diabetes and can lead to serious complications. Students will learn the basic information about how diabetes affects patients feet and what they can do to keep their feet healthy.

    Diet & Nutrition
    Eating nutritious meals and snacks is one of the most important things you can do for your health. Students will examine portion control, meal planning, fats and other facts about diet and nutrition.

    Reducing the Risk of Developing Diabetes
    Students will examine preventive strategies for both type 1 and type 2 diabetes focusing on individuals identified as being at risk for developing diabetes. This course explores the development of safe and cost-effective interventions to reduce the risk of diabetes and help decrease the burden of diabetes on individuals and the healthcare system.

    Physical Activity & Diabetes
    Regular exercise also has special advantages for 2 diabetes. It can also help prevent or delay type 2 diabetes from developing. Students will examine how regular physical activity improves the body’s sensitivity to insulin and helps manage blood glucose (sugar) levels.

    CPR C and First Aid
    This online CPR (adult, child, and infant) and First aid certification is for the healthcare provider. If you are currently certified with Red Cross, AHA, National Safety Council, ASHI or Medic First Aid, you are welcome to utilize the course and receive a new, two-year FirstAid Advanced certificate.

  • Fees & Expenses

    Fees Apply for this Academic Year.

    • Registration: $100.00
    • Textbooks: $1025.00
    • Shipping: $61.00
    • Tuition: $6,669.00

    Total Tuition & Fees: $7,855.00

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