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Association of Diabetes Care & Education Specialists

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Education & CE Opportunities

ADCES Career Path Certificate Program

The ADCES Career Path Certificate Program for Diabetes Self-Management Education provides training for healthcare providers in the delivery of diabetes education and support. The program prepares both individuals new to diabetes education as well as experienced educators in the early and mid-stages of their careers. Not planning to become a diabetes care and education specialist? The program is suitable for healthcare professionals who need additional training in diabetes to meet the needs of their patient population. 

The Diabetes Care and Education Specialists certificate program is being revised to reflect the new competencies for diabetes care and education specialists and will be available in 2023.

 

"The information provided by the ADCES Career Path Certificate Program is current, culturally sensitive and relevant. It has been invaluable to me working with a diverse, low income population, in an area where diabetes education resources are limited. I am better able to recognize significant risk factors and make treatment recommendations that are specific to my patients' needs. It has been one of the very best investments I have made in my continuing medical education."

- Tina, APRN 


These certificate programs are differentiated by educational discipline, credentialing, professional practice regulations, and the clinical practice environment.

There are three separate career path certificate programs:

1. Diabetes Community Care Coordinator
2. Clinician, Non-Diabetes Care and Education Specialists
3. Diabetes Care and Education Specialists

Before enrolling in any program, review the detailed de

Descriptions for each level and the FAQs about the program.(FAQs are at bottom of this web page.)

Programs are not intended to be taken sequentially.  Enroll in the program for which you meet the professional discipline and, for the DCES programs, years of practice.

Diabetes Community Care Coordinator

Complementary healthcare workers who have a defined role in a certified or recognized diabetes education or prevention program. They may also be aligned with practices that serve a dedicated or focused proportion of diabetes patients.

Who should enroll in this program?

  • Certified Community Health Workers
  • Dental Hygienists  
  • Certified Nursing Assistants
  • Medical Assistants
  • Dietetic Technicians
  • Registered Pharmacy Technicians
  • Physical Therapy Assistants
  • Licensed Practical Nurses
  • Emergency Medical Technicians
  • Paramedics

This list is not all-inclusive. It is intended to provide guidance on the professional backgrounds for which this certificate program is appropriate.

Read More

 


Clinicians, Non-Diabetes Care and Education Specialist Certificate

Healthcare providers who interact professionally with people with diabetes to provide the essential knowledge and skills needed for safe self-care.

Who should enroll in this program?

  • Registered nurses (from any accredited entry level education program)
  • Advanced practice nurses
  • Registered dietitians (licensed or registered)
  • Pharmacists (licensed or registered)
  • Exercise physiologists
  • Physical therapists
  • Physicians assistants
  • Physicians (MDs or DOs)
  • Licensed clinical social workers
  • Master Certified Health Education Specialist

This list is not all-inclusive. It is intended to provide guidance on the professional backgrounds for which this certificate program is appropriate.

Read More

Diabetes Care and Education Specialist Certificate

Healthcare providers who have achieved an advanced body of core knowledge and skills related to diabetes education and/or management above that which is required by the profession of origin. This certificate incorporates those providers who meet the academic, professional, and experiential criteria to qualify for and maintain the CDCES credential.

This certificate assumes enrollees have a minimum of 2-3 years of professional practice experience providing diabetes care and education as the primary focus of their practice.  Due to this practice experience requirement individuals who complete the Clinician, Non-Diabetes Care and Education Specialist certificate program should not immediately enroll in this program.

Who should enroll in this program?

  • Registered nurses (from any accredited entry level education program)
  • Advanced practice nurses
  • Registered dietitians (licensed or registered)
  • Pharmacists (licensed or registered)
  • Exercise physiologists
  • Physical therapists
  • Physicians assistants
  • Physicians (MDs or DOs)
  • Licensed clinical social workers
  • Master Certified Health Education Specialist

This list is not all-inclusive. It is intended to provide guidance on the professional backgrounds for which this certificate program is appropriate.

Read More

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