Jobs › Mercyhealth

Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist

Mercyhealth · Rockford, IL · $26.28–$42.04 an hour · Full time

Posted Jul 24, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 6, 2026

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Likely interview questions for this role

Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.

About your past

How do you work with Maternal-Fetal Medicine physicians on a care plan?

What they are checking: Whether they collaborate well and share useful information with the MFM team.

Tell me about a time you trained students or residents.

What they are checking: Whether they can teach other professionals, which this role includes.

How do you stay current in perinatal nutrition and diabetes education?

What they are checking: Whether they keep their CEUs and knowledge up to date.

What would you do

A patient with gestational diabetes is scared and feels like it's her fault. How do you respond?

What they are checking: Whether they can offer support and reduce shame while still teaching important skills.

A patient's glucose logs show high fasting numbers despite good eating habits. What do you do?

What they are checking: Whether they recognize when diet alone isn't working and loop in the physician.

How would you teach nutrition to a pregnant patient with cultural food preferences you're less familiar with?

What they are checking: Whether they adapt teaching to the patient's culture and food habits.

Tell me about a program improvement you'd like to make in diabetes care during pregnancy.

What they are checking: Whether they think about improving the program, not just individual visits.

About the work

How is teaching diabetes management to a pregnant patient different from teaching other adults?

What they are checking: Whether they understand tighter glucose targets and the special needs of diabetes in pregnancy.

Walk me through how you'd teach a newly diagnosed gestational diabetes patient to use a glucose meter.

What they are checking: Whether they can teach meter use step by step and confirm the patient can do it.

How do you enter charges in Epic accurately?

What they are checking: Whether they pay close attention to detail in billing tasks.

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The full job description

As published by Mercyhealth.

Overview Provide education and support to pregnant patients managing diabetes by teaching nutrition, blood sugar monitoring, and disease management techniques. This role works closely with Maternal-Fetal Medicine physicians and care teams to develop care plans, improve patient outcomes, support program development, and serve as a resource for diabetes care during pregnancy. Schedule : 40-hours per week Shift: Days A sign-on bonus is available for this position. Essential Duties and Responsibilities • Providing education and training to perinatal patients including nutrition education, meter training, and disease process education. • Collaborating with Maternal-Fetal Medicine physicians to develop and implement care plans. • Act as a system resource for managing diabetes in pregnancy. • Participating in training students, partners and residents related to diabetic education, medical nutrition therapy, and understanding patient resources in terms of meeting medical goals. • Maintaining CEU/CME required for licensure as well as complete focused education related to perinatal nutrition and diabetes management. • Participates in ongoing clinic/program development to include policy/procedures and quality initiatives as they relate to diabetes care, clinical development and efficiency. • Enters appropriate charges into EPIC with strong attention to detail and accuracy. • Participate with program needs as assigned, peer review and be familiar with ADA program requirements Culture of Excellence Behavior Expectations To perform the job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following behavior expectations: Quality - Follows policies and procedures; adapts to and manages changes in the environment; Demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness giving attention to details; Looks for ways to improve and promote quality; Applies feedback to improve performance; Manages time and prioritizes effectively to achieve organizational goals. Service - Responds promptly to requests for service and assistance; Follows the Mercyhealth Critical Moments of service; Meets commitments; Abides by MH confidentiality and security agreement; Shows respect and sensitivity for cultural differences; and effectively communicates information to partners; Thinks system wide regarding processes and functions. Partnering - Shows commitment to the Mission of Mercyhealth and Culture of Excellence through all words and actions; Exhibits objectivity and openness to other's views; Demonstrates a high level of participation and engagement in day-to-day work; Gives and welcomes feedback; Generates suggestions for improving work: Embraces teamwork, supports and encourages positive change while giving value to individuals. Cost - Conserves organization resources; Understands fiscal responsibility; Works within approved budget; Develops and implements cost saving measures; contributes to profits and revenue. Education and Experience Bachelor's degree from a four-year college/university in Dietetics/Food and Nutrition. Completion of an accredited or approved supervised practice program. Certification and Licensure State certification/licensure as a Registered/Licensed Dietician in WI and IL. CDCES certification required. If not CDCES certification eligible or not CDCES certified at hire, 15 CME credit per year required. CDCES certification required within 2-years of becoming eligible or being hired. Prior ADA program experience preferred. Skills and Abilities Strong interpersonal/communication skills. Strong interpretive/organizational/analytical skills. May be required to work flexible hours. Special Physical Demands The Special Physical Demands are considered Essential Job Functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodations. Manual dexterity needed to operate computer/technology for diabetes. While performing the duties of this job the employee is regularly required to talk and listen/hear. The employee is frequently required to walk/prolonged sitting. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. Level of Supervision N/A Supervises N/A PAY RANGE: $26.28 - $42.04 Mercyhealth is an Equal Opportunity Employer . All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identify, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status. Mercyhealth offers competitive pay and a comprehensive benefits package including: • Medical, Dental, Vision • Life & Disability Insurance • FSA/HSA Options • Generous, accruing paid time off • Paid Parental and caregiver leave • Career advancement and educational opportunities • Tuition and certification reimbursement • Certification Reimbursement • Well-being Programs • Employee Discounts • On-Demand Pay • Financial Education • Annual recognition/awards events • Partner appreciation days • Family entertainment/attractions discount • Community service/improvement opportunities Click here for more details regarding Mercyhealth Careers Benefit Information. At Mercyhealth, we don’t simply hire people, we empower employee-partners who are passionate about making lives better. As an integrated health system, we deliver exceptional, coordinated across seven hospitals, 85 primary and specialty clinics, and a team of over 7,500 professionals serving northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin. Mercyhealth has been nationally recognized for our commitment to our people and culture, including: • #1 in the nation on AARP's Best Employers for Workers Over 50 • One of Working Mother magazine's 100 Best Companies for Working Mothers • A Top 50 Company and Top 10 Nonprofit for Executive Women

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