SIAST - Diabetes Education for Health Care Providers

Diabetes Education for Health Care Providers

Location(s): Distance Learning Option

More than three million Canadians live with diabetes. It is estimated another six million live with pre-diabetes, and nearly 50 percent of those will go on to develop Type 2 diabetes. The message? Diabetes education has never been more important than it is today.

SIAST developed the Diabetes Education for Health Care Providers program in direct response to growing need in our communities. This applied certificate program provides the knowledge, judgment, skills and attitudes you need to meet the health care needs of people living with diabetes.

Who qualifies?

Diabetes Education for Health Care Providers is specifically designed for current health care providers. To enrol, you must currently be employed as one of the following:

community health representative (CHR)

community health educator (CHE)

continuing care assistant (CCA)

primary care paramedic (PCP)

licensed practical nurse (LPN)

graduate practical nurse

Is this program for you?

The Diabetes Education for Health Care Providers program offers flexible start times, course sequencing and choice of clinical experience, so you can complete the program on a part-time basis within a five-year time frame. This allows you to build your professional credentials while maintaining job and/or family responsibilities.

The program focuses on types of diabetes, prevention, risk factors, long-term complications, medications, monitoring and more. You’ll learn to support clients and address cultural differences in the day-to-day management of diabetes. Hands-on learning is an important component of the program. You’ll practice new skills in a 12-hour lab and a 60-hour clinical practice education in a workplace setting.

Refer to Frequently Asked Questions for additional information.

Length: 15 weeks per course

You must complete the program within five years

Career Opportunities

The Diabetes Education for Health Care Providers program is specifically designed to meet the needs of current health care providers – community health representatives, community health educators, continuing care assistants, primary care paramedics, licensed practical nurses and graduate practical nurses. You will be prepared to provide consistent, current and accurate information about diabetes prevention, education and care in a wide variety of health care settings across both Saskatchewan and Canada.

For more information about career opportunities related to this program, contact Student Employment Services at the SIAST campus nearest you.

Program Details

Start Date(s): Ongoing

For more information, contact diabetesed@siast.sk.ca.

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Admission Requirements

Currently employed in the health care sector, and having one of the following designations:
- Community Health Representative (CHR)
- Community Health Educator (CHE)
- Continuing Care Assistant (CCA) (formerly Home Care/Special Care Aide)
- Primary Care Paramedic (PCP)
- Licensed Practical Nurse (effective September 2010)
- Graduate Practical Nurse (effective September 2010)
English Language Requirement

Note

You will need to have current immunizations as per the policy of the employer where you will complete the clinical component.

Admission Method

First Qualified/First Admitted

The First Qualified/First Admitted (FQFA) process is used for the majority of SIAST programs. When we determine that you meet the program's admission requirements, you will be offered admission based on the date you fully qualify for the program. The earlier you provide the appropriate documents and information that qualify you for admission to the next intake, the earlier you might begin your studies. Your application, once qualified, is always considered for the next intake.

Applicants to programs with multiple intakes in an academic year remain in the application pool until the last intake for that academic year has begun. Programs using the FQFA process receive applications year round and maintain an application pool for each academic year. Qualified applicants who are not offered a seat must reapply for the next academic year.

Sponsored programs or programs targeted to specific groups do not accept applications year round or maintain an application pool.

Learning Method(s)

SIAST offers a variety of learning methods for course delivery. The following learning methods are available for some of the courses in this program.

Classroom

The theory portion of the program is offered through Home Study.

Shop/Lab

Work Experience

Please refer to the course descriptions for course specific learning methods.

Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR) Availability

SIAST recognizes that adults learn in many different ways and through many different means. This includes acquiring knowledge and skills through life and work experience or non-formal training.

Frequently asked questions regarding PLAR for this program are answered in the Fact Sheet. A detailed Candidate Guide, which includes a self-audit for all PLAR-ready courses, has been developed for this program. This information guides a candidate through all steps in the PLAR process.

Transfer Credit

Many SIAST students benefit from transferring credit. You may be eligible to transfer credit from or to another college or university. To learn more, visit our transfer credit web page.

Courses
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CLIN 160 Clinical Component

The clinical component consists of a 60-hour clinical experience that integrates the theory you learned and the lab component. Your clinical experiences will be scheduled in an agency chosen by you in conjunction with the faculty of the Basic Diabetes Education for Health Care Providers program. An experienced agency staff member will guide and direct you, and evaluate your competence. You will be expected to demonstrate responsibility and accountability for your own learning. You will be in an unpaid student role and require time off work to complete the clinical component.

4.0 Credit Units
60.0 Other hours

Learning Method(s): Work Experience -Individual

Prerequisites:
HLTH 165 Minimum Grade of P and HLTH 167 Minimum Grade of 60

EDUC 160 Principles of Education

Teaching and learning in diabetes care is an essential part of the client management plan. Course content includes the basic goal of education and the role of self-management in diabetes care. You will review the principles of good communication and how to assess your clients' readiness to learn. You will be introduced to the stages of behaviour change that help guide the education process.

3.0 Credit Units
45.0 Other hours

Learning Method(s): Lecture/Theory, Correspondence

Prerequisites:
HLTH 163 Minimum Grade of 60

HLTH 162 Understanding Diabetes

The course provides an introduction to diabetes. You will study the basic features of diabetes, support to the client in diabetes management, and diabetes prevention. You will learn what happens in the body when diabetes develops, the different types of diabetes, risk factors and how diabetes can be prevented.

4.0 Credit Units
60.0 Other hours

Learning Method(s): Lecture/Theory, Correspondence

HLTH 163 Managing Diabetes

You will learn the five important parts of diabetes management and ways to support the client in promoting and reinforcing the importance of a healthy lifestyle. The course content includes the basic actions of oral medications and insulin, their side effects and what to do about them. You will also learn how to address cultural traditions and differences.

3.0 Credit Units
45.0 Other hours

Learning Method(s): Lecture/Theory, Correspondence

Prerequisites:
HLTH 162 Minimum Grade of 60

HLTH 164 Managing Highs and Lows

You will learn how to support the client in preventing and managing the two acute complications of diabetes (hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia). You will be introduced to the tools used to monitor for changes in blood glucose, how to use them and what to do with the results. You will also learn how to document and report your findings.

4.0 Credit Units
60.0 Other hours

Learning Method(s): Lecture/Theory, Correspondence

Prerequisites:
EDUC 160 Minimum Grade of 60

HLTH 165 Lab Component

You will discuss the role of community development in diabetes prevention and management. You will review the Behavioral Change Model. You will practice basic teaching principles in a small group. You will practice blood glucose monitoring and ketone testing and re-demonstrate these procedures accurately prior to being certified to perform them with clients. You will be introduced to the systems approach to client safety.

1.0 Credit Units
12.0 Other hours

Learning Method(s): Lab/Practical, Prior Learning

Prerequisites:
HLTH 164 Minimum Grade of 60

HLTH 166 Long-term Complications

Your studies will focus on the diabetes complications that can be prevented or delayed. You will be introduced to the different tools used to monitor diabetes status and identify how they help in preventing complications. You will learn the importance of good foot and skin care, how to assess for changes and how to teach clients the basics of good foot care.

3.0 Credit Units
45.0 Other hours

Learning Method(s): Lecture/Theory, Correspondence