Diabetes Care Specialist RN | CDCES

Manage. Educate. Empower.

Shape What’s Next.

What if your nursing skills could make an impact beyond the patient in front of you?

At Iowa Diabetes, you’ll care for people living with diabetes, obesity, and related health conditions while working alongside a team that is helping shape the future of healthcare.

As a Diabetes Care Specialist, you’ll provide individualized diabetes education, clinical support, and ongoing patient guidance. You’ll help patients better understand their health, navigate treatment and technology, overcome barriers to care, and connect with the services they need to move toward better outcomes.

But your impact doesn’t stop with patient care. As a clinical research facility, Iowa Diabetes gives you the opportunity to work in an environment where patient care and research happen side by side. The work you do today helps support research that can influence how diabetes, obesity, and related conditions are understood and treated in the future.

This role is for the RN who wants to go deeper into diabetes management, build meaningful relationships with patients, and be part of something bigger than traditional clinical care.

Care for patients today. Help shape healthcare for tomorrow.

How We’re Different

Founded in 2007, Iowa Diabetes is a leading diabetes research and care organization in West Des Moines, Iowa. We are dedicated to improving the lives of people living with diabetes, obesity, and related health conditions through comprehensive clinical care, patient education, and innovative research.

Our team has conducted over 230 clinical studies and served more than 2,500 patients, combining compassionate care with research that helps advance what’s possible in healthcare.

We practice intentionally — in patient care, innovation, and leadership. This is what truly sets us apart.

✔ Make a difference beyond the appointment

Build relationships with patients and provide the education, guidance, and support they need to better manage their health.

✔ Put your nursing expertise to work

Help patients understand their diabetes, treatment options, medications, technology, and the day-to-day decisions that impact their health.

✔ Care for the whole patient

Support people living with diabetes, obesity, and related health conditions by identifying barriers, connecting them with resources, and helping them navigate their care.

✔ Work where care meets research

Be part of a clinical research facility where patient care and innovative research come together every day.

✔ Shape the future of healthcare

Support clinical research that can help advance new treatments, therapies, and approaches to caring for people with diabetes, obesity, and related conditions.

✔ Grow your impact

Work alongside clinicians, researchers, and other healthcare professionals in an environment where your ideas, expertise, and patient relationships matter.

Role Highlights

• Job Type: Full-time
• Reports to: Clinic Nurse Supervisor
• Location: On-site in West Des Moines, Iowa
• Schedule: Monday–Friday, start time between 7:00–8:00am and end time between 3:00–4:00pm

How You’ll Make a Difference

• Manage and support patients with diabetes, obesity, and related health conditions by providing individualized education, clinical guidance, and ongoing support based on each patient’s needs.
• Provide diabetes education and management support through one-on-one visits, both in person and virtually, helping patients build the knowledge and confidence needed to manage their health.
• Serve as a clinical resource and patient advocate by answering questions, identifying barriers to care, providing resources, and helping patients navigate their treatment and services.
• Support diabetes technology and treatment management by educating patients on available tools and helping them understand how technology can support their care.
• Partner with clinicians and the care team to support prescription refills, medical devices, prior authorizations, patient assistance programs, and other patient needs.
• Coordinate patient care and follow-up by scheduling appointments, responding to patient inquiries, supporting continuity of care, and connecting patients with appropriate Iowa Diabetes services.
• Support clinical visits and patient care by obtaining vital signs and A1Cs, preparing patients for visits, assisting with procedures, and providing clinical support as needed.
• Contribute to a research-driven environment by working alongside a team involved in clinical research and helping create an experience where patients can access both exceptional care and opportunities to participate in innovative research.
• Support efficient clinical workflows through accurate documentation, medical scribing, patient check-in and check-out, and other activities that help clinicians provide high-quality care.

What You Bring to the Team

Required Qualifications

• RN license required
• CDCES (Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist) required within the first 6 months of employment
• Minimum 1 year of direct patient care experience
• Strong knowledge of diabetes and medical terminology
• Strong patient education and communication skills
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and Google Suite
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, in-office environment
• Comfortable working on-site full-time and collaborating directly with patients, clinicians, and staff
• Patient-centered mindset and commitment to health equity
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and communicate professionally

Preferred Qualifications

• Previous diabetes education or diabetes management experience
• Experience working with diabetes technology
• Experience supporting patients with chronic disease management
• Familiarity with clinical workflows, care coordination, or clinical research

The Perks Behind Your Purpose

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) with up to 5% match
• Health savings account (HSA) and flexible spending account (FSA)
• Company paid and voluntary life insurance
• Voluntary life, AD&D, critical illness, legal and identity theft protection
• Company paid short- and long-term disability
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Eligibility for annual company bonus
• Accrued paid time off (PTO) + 6 company-paid holidays
• 'Summer Fridays' time off
• Professional growth and development reimbursement program

Iowa Diabetes is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment where everyone is treated with respect and has the opportunity to make a meaningful impact.

Job Type

Full-time

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Referral program
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Application Question(s):

• Why do you feel you are a good match for the Diabetes Educator role at the Iowa Diabetes Care team?
• Do you have diabetes education experience?
• This role requires working onsite in Des Moines, Iowa. Please tell us where you are currently located and, if applicable, your expected relocation date.
• Will you now or in the future require a visa sponsorship? This includes visas such as H-1B, F-1 (OPT), TN, L-1, or others. If your answer is yes, please explain.

Education:

• High school or equivalent (Required)

License/Certification:

• RN License for the state of IA (Required)
• CDCES (Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist) (Preferred)

Ability to Commute:

• West Des Moines, IA 50266 (Required)

Work Location: In person