Staff Training Requirements

The Nutrition Services staff continues to enhance its skills by pursuing on-going professional education. The dietitians and nurses are all diversified, cross-trained, and can fulfill many roles within the department. There has been such a large demand for diabetes classes (both gestational and type 2) that the entire staff has been trained to teach the classes as well as perform their other counseling duties. All of our staff members make you our first priority and individualize the information to fit your needs. We work with you to help set up realistic goals for your personal success. Every person on the staff is a registered dietitian, registered nurse and or a diabetes education provider with extensive professional education and experience.

Training requirements for Registered Dietitians (RD):

All RDs have a minimum of a bachelor's degree although most dietitians have higher degrees. The majority of Camino Medical Group dietitians have master's degrees. In addition to advanced education, 900 hours of supervised practice and a national exam are required. Continuing education is required to maintain a registered dietitian certification. Only Registered Dietitians, along with professionals with Master's and PhD's in Nutrition, can provide and be reimbursed for Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT). With a physician referral, MNT is the assessment of nutrition needs and the implementation of nutrition recommendations to go along with the assessment.

Training requirements for Certified Diabetes Educators (CDE):

Certified Diabetes Educators perform 2,000 hours of work in the field of diabetes prior to taking an exam given by the National Certification Board for Diabetes Educators. This exam must be repeated every five years to maintain certification. CDEs specialize in diabetic self-management training.

Training requirements for Registered Nurses (RN):

Registered nurses attend a minimum of two years clinical education in an accredited Nursing School including lecture studies and many supervised patient care hours. All RNs must obtain their license by testing with the California Board of Registered Nurses and maintain that license every two years through testing and continuing education.