A diabetes educator works with patients at clinics and hospitals.If you get hands-on experience as a doctor, nurse, or other medical professional, you can become a diabetes educator.If you want to give diabetes patients counseling and lifestyle management advice, you need to be certified by the National Certification Board for Diabetes Educators.
Step 1: You can choose the certification that's right for you.
Do you want to become certified by the American Association of Diabetes Educators or the National Certification Board for Diabetes Education?Both organizations have the same requirements.The certification is focused on education.The Board Certified-Advanced Diabetes Management certification from the AADE allows you to not only educate patients with diabetes, but also to participate in research and mentoring.Depending on how much money and time you have, you can choose to get certified.It might take a longer time to invest in the AADE certification.You don't need to get both types of certification if you want to improve your career opportunities.
Step 2: Work experience is relevant.
Diabetes self-management education is part of the duties of a pharmacy, occupational or physical therapist, nurse, or other medical professional.If you have an advanced degree in a health-related field, you might qualify.Any activity by a healthcare professional that helps patients with diabetes understand and manage their condition is called DSME.You need at least two years of experience in your field in order to be certified.You must have worked at least 40% of these hours within the last year.500 practice hours are required for certification with the AADE.It is possible to count volunteer experience with a medical agency or health clinic towards your hourly total.If you don't work in the field but still want to get NCBDE certification, you need an official transcript and a copy of your academic degree.The requirements are the same as those of a traditional applicants.
Step 3: You need to meet continuing education requirements.
There is no continuing education requirement for AADE certification.You will need at least 15 clock hours of continuing education by the time you submit your application.The courses must be approved by the NCBDE.Unlike credit hours, clock hours are counted in a linear way.You can earn clock hours by attending a class for two hours.The American Diabetes Association, the American Association of Diabetes Educators, and similar organizations offer continuing education opportunities for diabetes educators.A full list of continuing education providers is available online.Volunteering, original research, poster sessions or exhibits are not included in continuing education.Online programs, conferences, workshops, seminars, and independent study courses are acceptable continuing education activities.
Step 4: Go ahead and complete the application.
The easiest way to apply is online.You will be directed to the website of the company that administers the test.The AADE application is online as well.If you prefer a paper application, you can print it out online.The handbook and application are located at the end of the document.The CDE Examination Application is located at 18000 W. 105th St.If you are applying without work experience but with an advanced medical degree, fill out the application online.You should get an email notification when your application is received.You should get a written notification if you submit the paper application.If your application hasn't been acknowledged within four weeks, call Psi/Amp.
Step 5: Talk to your supervisor.
You don't need to submit a formal list of your DSME hours, but you might be randomly selected for an experience audit.In that case, your supervisor will need to provide written verification that you have the necessary experience.Tell your supervisor how you want to earn NCBDE certification.If you later ask for written verification of your work experience, they will understand.The head nurse, a doctor, or another medical professional are your supervisor in the medical industry.
Step 6: Pay the fee.
$350 is the initial certification fee for the NCBDE test.The costs of processing your application and administering your exam are covered by this fee.When you submit your application, your fee must be paid.The fee for the AADE test is much higher.If you are not an AADE member, you will need to pay $900.If you are testing for the AADE exam at a site outside the U.S., there will be an additional fee of $150.
Step 7: You can choose a test center location.
After your application has been approved, you will receive information about how to choose a test center location and time.If you don't think you'll be able to take an in-person test, inquire about getting an online exam.You can take the test online from another location.
Step 8: Prepare for the test.
There are many resources that can help you prepare for the exams.There is a list of resources in the NCBDE certification exam handbook.There is a list of useful resources in the appendix of the AADE handbook.There is a content outline in Appendix 3.The diabetes education test will be covered in the content outline.Look closely at the content outline.If you have questions about the material, consult diabetes education literature or seek assistance from a mentor.There is a list of suggested references in Appendix 5.Take notes if you want to improve your knowledge of specific content areas.If you want to remedy any gaps in your understanding, focus on areas that you are not familiar with.You can take a practice NCBDE examination for $55.There is a practice AADE test available.You can get a testtutorial to help you understand the computerized testing system.
Step 9: Take the test.
You can visit the test center at any time.Arrive early so you have time to find a seat and settle in.There are 200 multiple-choice questions on the NCBDE test.You will have four hours to complete the exam.The AADE test consists of 175 multiple-choice questions.Bring at least two types of photo ID.You can bring a passport, driver's license, military identification card, or state ID with photo.To confirm your test site, date, and other relevant information, you should bring a printout.Do not bring personal items with you to the test center.
Step 10: You should review your scores.
After taking the AADE exam, the results are mailed.The scores are reported in two ways.As a percentage of the total number of questions you got correct, the raw scores will give you a score.You could get a score of 150/200.A percentage of correct questions is reported on a scale of 0 to 99.You need to score at least a 70 on this scale to pass the exam.You would get a passing grade if you used the above example.
Step 11: Your certification should be renewed.
You have to recertify your credentials every five years.You need at least another 1,000 hours of DSME and a position in the same medical field that you held when you obtained certification to be recertified for the NCBDE.You can substitute the practice requirement for 75 hours of continuing education if you can't meet the 1,000-hour requirement.Reminder notifications will be sent to you when your certification is close to expiration.If you are not an AADE member, you will have to pay a fee for the NCBDE certification.
Step 12: You should use your certification.
You will have a legitimate claim to expertise in the field of DSME with your new credentials.You should be able to get a pay raise with your certification.Don't talk to your employer about the subject.What kind of financial benefits are you eligible for as a certified diabetes educator?As a result of earning their certification, many medical professionals are more confident, respected, and financially secure.