Type 1 Diabetes Educator Certificate Program
Overview
The Type 1 Diabetes Certificate program for regulated healthcare professionals consists of eleven (11) modules designed to increase knowledge about type 1 diabetes, treatment, care options and techniques specific to working with people living with type 1 diabetes. These modules provide a solid foundation of clinical and practical knowledge of type 1 diabetes; its presentation during various life stages and events (e.g. pregnancy), blood glucose management, various care/treatment technologies, insulin adjustment, the effects of nutrition and exercise, types of complications and suggested treatment, weight care and a professional practice perspective.
This program is provided in partnership with:
Since 1989, The Charles H. Best Diabetes Centre specializes in caring for people living with type 1 diabetes. Their mission is to keep children, youth and adults living with type 1 diabetes healthy until a cure is found.
The Charles H. Best Diabetes Centre is indebted to its founder, Marlene Grass for envisioning this work. Thank you to all of the Best Centre educators who contributed to the initial scoping of the certificate course outline. Specifically, we would like to recognize the people who provided a significant contribution to the development of all of the modules. Special thanks to Diana Balicsak, RD; Jeremy Gilbert, MD; Lorrie Hagen, MHSc, RD; Margaret Korosec, RN; Sandy Hubbard, RN; Kerry Katz, RN; Susan Kettle, RD.
The creation of this course is in response to the interest of the healthcare community at large, with the goal of spreading type 1 healthcare knowledge across the globe.
Who should attend?
You may use the knowledge and skills developed through this program to improve your care and understanding of those living with type 1 diabetes, such as:
- Any regulated healthcare professionals interested in learning about type 1 diabetes
- Any regulated healthcare professionals caring for patients living with type 1 diabetes
- Certified Diabetes Educators interested in expanding their type 1 diabetes knowledge
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Strongly suggest that you have a minimum of two years of current patient care experience* in your profession
*Registrants for the Type 1 Diabetes Educator Certificate Program are considered to have sufficient patient care experience if they are working as a healthcare professional with a degree or diploma in a regulated health profession, OR, working towards gaining competencies in this field of expertise.
What you'll learn
In this program, you will learn:
- What type 1 diabetes is and how it is diagnosed
- How type 1 diabetes presents during various life stages and events (e.g. pregnancy), how care transitions between these stages
- Blood glucose management and self-management education
- Various treatment and care technologies, including insulin pumps and glucose monitoring devices
- Insulin adjustment techniques and scenarios
- The effects of nutrition and exercise
- Illnesses and complications and their treatment
- Considerations for daily life for those with type 1 diabetes
- Professional practice perspectives
Required Elements
The total course consists of eleven (11) modules intended to share extensive knowledge about type 1 diabetes, its treatment, care options and techniques specifically for care professionals who work with (or want to with) people living with type 1 diabetes. These modules provide a solid foundation of practical clinical knowledge of type 1 diabetes.
The modules within the course can be taken as individual courses at any time. However, it is recommended by the program developers that Module 1, Module 3 and Module 6 be taken as a fulsome introduction to caring for people with type 1 diabetes.
You have been added to this program upon registration and will have twenty-four (24) months from this date going forward to complete all 11 modules of required content and assessments in the program.
This Certificate Program includes, but is not limited to, content presentations and audio/visual and video components, as well as case scenarios. Concepts and topic discussions with a facilitator. The certificate is only granted to those learners who complete all 11 modules as well as the Midterm and Final Examinations (online delivery of multiple choice questions).
Please contact continuouslearing@ontariotechu.ca if you require further information that is not indicated on the website.
If you are looking for patient-education materials, please go to The Charles H. Best Diabetes Centre website for the purchase of RESOURCES, https://www.charleshbest.com/manuals.
Modules
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Introduction to Type 1 Diabetes
To understand what diabetes is, why it occurs, what the symptoms are and to provide an overview of diagnosis.
If you are looking for patient-education materials, please go to The Charles H. Best Diabetes Centre website for the purchase of RESOURCES, https://www.charleshbest.com/manuals
REGISTER FOR THIS MODULE
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Type 1 Diabetes across the lifespan
Module 2 learning objectives are broken into 3 main sections; understanding impact in the various life stages, at specific transition points and in pregnancy. The learner will be exposed to essential education principles for each stage and type pf patient.
If you are looking for patient-education materials, please go to The Charles H. Best Diabetes Centre website for the purchase of RESOURCES, https://www.charleshbest.com/manuals
REGISTER FOR THIS MODULE
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Type 1 Diabetes Blood Glucose Management
Module 3 learning objectives are to understand the measures of blood glucose and its management; self-testing; factors affecting the level of blood glucose (and the corresponding symptoms) as well as an overview of the treatments for low and high blood glucose. Also, an overview of all types of insulins available, and how they are used and given to patients (including injection technique).
If you are looking for patient-education materials, please go to The Charles H. Best Diabetes Centre website for the purchase of RESOURCES, https://www.charleshbest.com/manuals
REGISTER FOR THIS MODULE
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Type 1 Diabetes Technology for Patients
Module 4 learning objectives are key for any learner working with diabetes patients. The fast pace of change in the state-of-the-art management of T1D is challenging to stay on top of. The topics covered are; glucose monitoring devices and use, insulin pumps and benefits, and data analyses review.
If you are looking for patient-education materials, please go to The Charles H. Best Diabetes Centre website for the purchase of RESOURCES, https://www.charleshbest.com/manuals
REGISTER FOR THIS MODULE
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Type 1 Diabetes Insulin Adjustment and Care Planning
Module 5 learning objectives are essential for anyone providing T1D healthcare. There is both an art and a science to this type of care. The learner will begin to understand: the multiple daily injections (MDI) approach versus the continuous insulin-by-pump approach, and its impact on self-management and blood glucose control.
If you are looking for patient-education materials, please go to The Charles H. Best Diabetes Centre website for the purchase of RESOURCES, https://www.charleshbest.com/manuals
REGISTER FOR THIS MODULE
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Nutrition and Excercise
Module 6 learning objectives are extensive and are a must-do for all healthcare professionals working with T1D patients. The topics covered include; childhood growth and development, macronutrient and micronutrient suggestions and an important focus on carbohydrate counting with a video example of how to teach a patient. Also, special diets, issues and blood glucose management for exercise are included as well.
If you are looking for patient-education materials, please go to The Charles H. Best Diabetes Centre website for the purchase of RESOURCES, https://www.charleshbest.com/manuals
REGISTER FOR THIS MODULE
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Type 1 Diabetes Illness Management
Module 7 learning objectives are to enable the learner to have a detailed understanding of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). Educators must be able to teach how to assess for and correct DKA and understand the suggestions for coping with other illnesses and surgery/hospital admissions.
If you are looking for patient-education materials, please go to The Charles H. Best Diabetes Centre website for the purchase of RESOURCES, https://www.charleshbest.com/manuals
REGISTER FOR THIS MODULE
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Type 1 Diabetes Complications
Module 8 learning objectives cover the most common complications (co-morbidities) associated with type 1 diabetes. Items include kidney, heart, eyes and nerve disease.
If you are looking for patient-education materials, please go to The Charles H. Best Diabetes Centre website for purchase of RESOURCES, https://www.charleshbest.com/manuals
REGISTER FOR THIS MODULE
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Living with Type 1 Diabetes
Module 9 learning objectives are to give the learner an understanding of all aspects of living with type 1 diabetes from the patients’ perspective. Being that type 1 is a lifelong and life-threatening condition, it is imperative that HCP understand its impact on the whole person and family. Topics include; sources of support, mental health and wellness, family impact, finances, school considerations, travelling, driving and career topics.
If you are looking for patient-education materials, please go to The Charles H. Best Diabetes Centre website for the purchase of RESOURCES, https://www.charleshbest.com/manuals
REGISTER FOR THIS MODULE
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Professional Practice in a Type 1 Diabetes Team
Module 10 learning objectives are to describe the concepts of teamwork, professional practice/limits and quality improvement.
If you are looking for patient-education materials, please go to The Charles H. Best Diabetes Centre website for the purchase of RESOURCES, https://www.charleshbest.com/manuals
REGISTER FOR THIS MODULE
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Weight Management
Module 11 learning objectives are related to weight management.
By completing this module, you will be able to:
- dentify the unique challenges in weight care for healthcare professionals and patients living with type 1 diabetes;
- understand the rationale for using weight-neutral language when developing weight care recommendations with clients; and
- identify age-specific weight care recommendations to support people living with type 1 diabetes.
If you are looking for patient-education materials, please go to The Charles H. Best Diabetes Centre website for the purchase of RESOURCES, https://www.charleshbest.com/manuals
REGISTER FOR THIS MODULE
New! Additional learning opportunity
We are pleased to share that registration now includes the option to learn from The Charles H. Best Diabetes Centre (CHBC) experts. Thanks to an educational grant from Insulet Canada (Omnipod), the pump trainers from the centre will have the capacity to invite healthcare professionals (must be certified with a college) to join live ONLINE pump education and training sessions. Please submit your email request for placement consideration (up to 8 hours) to Lorrie Hagen, Executive Director, CHBC lorrie@charleshbest.com.
Assessments
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Midterm Assessment
Applicable to full program registrants only.
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Final Assessment
Applicable to full program registrants only.
Course information
The modules within the course can be taken as individual courses at any time. However, it is recommended by the program developers that Module 1, Module 3 and Module 6 be taken as a fulsome introduction to caring for people with type 1 diabetes.
Individual Modules are self-paced and do not have specific start and end dates.
For registration in the Full Program, you will have twenty-four (24) months from this date going forward to complete all 11 modules of required content and assessments in the program.
$1320.00 + HST for the full course (11 modules) OR individually $150 + HST per module.
Refund for withdrawal is subject to a $75.00 administration fee for the full certificate and $15 per module.
There will be no partial course certificate refunds issued after 4 modules are completed.
You can register for this course through the secure online registration form. All course fees must be paid at the time of registration.
Refund for withdrawal is subject to a $75.00 administration fee for the full course and $15 per module.
There will be no certificate refunds issued after 4 modules are completed.
This is an open enrolment course.
Those completing Ontario Tech University Continuous Learning open enrolment offerings (e.g. certificate programs, courses, workshops, microcertifications, etc.) are subject to the policies of Ontario Tech University and Continuous Learning. Ontario Tech policies can be found in the Policy Library. Continuous Learning policies can be found in the Regulations section of the Continuous Learning website. Specifically, those completing open enrolment offerings are expected to adhere to the General and Open enrolment regulations.
Time limit
Students must complete the Type 1 Diabetes Educator certificate within twenty-four (24) calendar months from the day access to the course content is activated in Catalog.
Catalog will be used for the online delivery of this program. Assessments may be administered through Catalog or a different platform where appropriate.
This course includes, but is not limited to:
- Content presentations and audio/videos;
- Case scenarios;
- Concept and topic discussions with a facilitator;
- Midterm assessment; and
- Final assessment.
Requirements
Only register for this program if you are a regulated healthcare professional.
You may use the knowledge and skills developed through this program to improve your care and understanding of those living with type 1 diabetes, such as:
Any regulated healthcare professionals interested in learning about type 1 diabetes;
Any regulated healthcare professionals caring for patients living with type 1 diabetes; and
Certified Diabetes Educators interested in expanding their type 1 diabetes knowledge.
Strongly suggest that you have a minimum of two years of current patient care experience* in your profession.
*Registrants for the Type 1 Diabetes Educator Certificate Program are considered to have sufficient patient care experience if they are a working as a healthcare professional with a degree or diploma in a regulated health profession, OR, working towards gaining competencies in this field of expertise.
There are no specific admission requirements for this program, however, this program is designed for regulated healthcare professionals with experience working in healthcare settings. It will be assumed that all registrants are regulated healthcare professionals.
To obtain the University Certificate you must:
- Register and make full payment for the certificate option;
- Successfully complete each required module/element (see the course pages listed in the "Required elements" section above);
- Participate in all components of each module; and
- Successfully complete any assigned work and examinations.
Online learning requirements:
- Computer or device with audio/video capabilities
- Stable internet or data connection.
There are no additional materials required for this program.
