OPT Diabetes Educator Jobs
Diabetes Educator jobs on OPT typically fall under healthcare or education roles requiring a relevant degree in nursing, dietetics, or health sciences. Most positions are full-time clinical or community health settings that qualify for STEM OPT extension if your degree is STEM-designated. Employers often require or prefer Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist credentials.
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The Diabetes Care and Education Specialist (RN/Clinical Nurse 3) will provide comprehensive diabetes care, patient and family education, care coordination, medication management, and DSMES to children and adolescents at the Westwood Children's Health Center clinic. The role will support patients in managing their diabetes through clinical assessments, ongoing medical therapy, and individualized education. You will be required to obtain and maintain certification as a Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist.
- Conduct follow-up nursing visits for patients starting new insulin pump therapy.
- Assess patients’ and families’ ability to perform diabetes self-management skills.
- Coordinate ongoing medical therapy during and between patient visits.
- Provide diabetes management support via phone, video, and in-person visits, including insulin dose adjustments, sick calls, medication refills, and follow-up calls.
- Provide individual and group diabetes education.
- Complete annual diabetes self-management assessments during in-person visits.
- Maintain pediatric diabetes monitoring flowsheets for assigned patients.
The employee's primary work location will be the assigned clinic; however, the position requires flexibility to travel and float to other clinic locations as needed to provide direct patient care, diabetes education, care coordination, and clinical support.
Salary Range: $70.59 - 106.80 Hourly
Qualifications
The ideal candidate will have strong clinical experience in diabetes care, preferably in a pediatric setting. We are seeking a highly competent and proactive nursing professional with strong clinical judgment, excellent collaboration skills, flexibility, and the ability to take initiative in a fast-paced clinical environment.
This position is expected to travel to multiple UCLA Health locations as needed.
Required:
- BSN or MSN.
- Minimum 2 years of professional practice experience.
- Current Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist (CDCES) certification or obtain certification within 12 months of hire through Certification Board for Diabetes Care and Education.
- Active RN license with the California Board of Registered Nursing.
- BLS from the American Red Cross or American Heart Association.
- Ability to complete a Nursing physical assessment.
- Skill in developing a plan of care including setting goals, monitoring and documenting progress.
- Ability to implement interventions that are pertinent to goals established in the plan of care.
- Ability to evaluate the effectiveness of interventions toward the attainment of established goals and to recognize the need to reassess or reset goal parameters.
- Ability to delegate tasks in a management style that is consistent with promoting leadership and teamwork.
- Knowledge base to provide education to patients, families, and other staff regarding clinical and patient care issues.
Preferred:
- Familiarity with the CCS and Medi-Cal programs.
- CCS paneled in Pediatrics/Pediatric Endocrinology (will be expected to apply for paneling upon hire).
Description
The Diabetes Care and Education Specialist (RN/Clinical Nurse 3) will provide comprehensive diabetes care, patient and family education, care coordination, medication management, and DSMES to children and adolescents at the Westwood Children's Health Center clinic. The role will support patients in managing their diabetes through clinical assessments, ongoing medical therapy, and individualized education. You will be required to obtain and maintain certification as a Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist.
- Conduct follow-up nursing visits for patients starting new insulin pump therapy.
- Assess patients’ and families’ ability to perform diabetes self-management skills.
- Coordinate ongoing medical therapy during and between patient visits.
- Provide diabetes management support via phone, video, and in-person visits, including insulin dose adjustments, sick calls, medication refills, and follow-up calls.
- Provide individual and group diabetes education.
- Complete annual diabetes self-management assessments during in-person visits.
- Maintain pediatric diabetes monitoring flowsheets for assigned patients.
The employee's primary work location will be the assigned clinic; however, the position requires flexibility to travel and float to other clinic locations as needed to provide direct patient care, diabetes education, care coordination, and clinical support.
Salary Range: $70.59 - 106.80 Hourly
Qualifications
The ideal candidate will have strong clinical experience in diabetes care, preferably in a pediatric setting. We are seeking a highly competent and proactive nursing professional with strong clinical judgment, excellent collaboration skills, flexibility, and the ability to take initiative in a fast-paced clinical environment.
This position is expected to travel to multiple UCLA Health locations as needed.
Required:
- BSN or MSN.
- Minimum 2 years of professional practice experience.
- Current Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist (CDCES) certification or obtain certification within 12 months of hire through Certification Board for Diabetes Care and Education.
- Active RN license with the California Board of Registered Nursing.
- BLS from the American Red Cross or American Heart Association.
- Ability to complete a Nursing physical assessment.
- Skill in developing a plan of care including setting goals, monitoring and documenting progress.
- Ability to implement interventions that are pertinent to goals established in the plan of care.
- Ability to evaluate the effectiveness of interventions toward the attainment of established goals and to recognize the need to reassess or reset goal parameters.
- Ability to delegate tasks in a management style that is consistent with promoting leadership and teamwork.
- Knowledge base to provide education to patients, families, and other staff regarding clinical and patient care issues.
Preferred:
- Familiarity with the CCS and Medi-Cal programs.
- CCS paneled in Pediatrics/Pediatric Endocrinology (will be expected to apply for paneling upon hire).
See all 42+ OPT Diabetes Educator Jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship in Diabetes Educator
Verify your degree qualifies for STEM OPT
Diabetes Educator roles may qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension if your degree is in health informatics, nutritional science, or a STEM-designated field. Confirm your CIP code with your DSO before applying to maximize your authorized work period.
Target employers with established OPT hiring history
Large hospital systems, Federally Qualified Health Centers, and academic medical centers are more likely to have HR processes familiar with OPT work authorization. Smaller private practices may be unfamiliar with the requirements and need more education from you upfront.
Pursue CDCES certification early
The Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist credential signals clinical competency to employers and removes a major hiring hesitation. Many OPT applicants who hold or are eligible for CDCES see faster responses from healthcare employers reviewing their applications.
Frame your OPT timeline clearly in outreach
When contacting hiring managers, state your OPT end date and whether you qualify for STEM extension upfront. Employers need to plan around your authorization window, so clarity reduces friction and positions you as a straightforward candidate rather than a compliance risk.
Focus on interdisciplinary settings that value your background
Endocrinology clinics, diabetes management programs, and community health organizations frequently need educators fluent in multiple cultural contexts. Your international background can be a genuine differentiator in patient populations that are linguistically or culturally diverse.
Connect with professional diabetes education associations
The Association of Diabetes Care and Education Specialists offers networking events and job resources where OPT students can meet hiring managers directly. In-person or virtual engagement with this community builds referrals that bypass standard applicant tracking systems entirely.
Diabetes Educator OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work as a Diabetes Educator on OPT without employer sponsorship?
Yes. OPT work authorization is granted by USCIS through your school, not your employer, so employers don't sponsor your OPT. You simply need to work in a role directly related to your field of study. The employer does need to verify your EAD card and report your employment to your DSO within 10 days of starting.
Does a Diabetes Educator role qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
It depends on your degree's CIP code, not the job title itself. If you graduated with a STEM-designated degree, such as health informatics, nutritional science, or certain biological sciences programs, and the Diabetes Educator role is directly related, you may qualify for the 24-month STEM extension. Your DSO can confirm your eligibility based on your specific program.
How do I find Diabetes Educator jobs that are open to OPT candidates?
Many healthcare employers don't advertise OPT-friendly roles explicitly, which makes filtering difficult on general job boards. Migrate Mate is built specifically for F-1 OPT students and surfaces employers with a track record of hiring international candidates. Browsing Migrate Mate's listings by role and location is the most efficient way to identify Diabetes Educator openings where OPT is welcomed.
Do I need to be licensed or certified to work as a Diabetes Educator on OPT?
Most Diabetes Educator positions require a licensed clinical background, such as RN, RD, or pharmacist licensure, before you can sit for the CDCES exam. Licensure requirements are set by state boards and are separate from your OPT authorization. You'll need to ensure your professional license is active and valid in the state where you plan to work before your OPT period begins.
What happens to my OPT status if my Diabetes Educator contract ends before my EAD expires?
F-1 OPT students are permitted up to 90 days of unemployment during standard OPT and 150 days during the STEM extension. If your contract ends, that clock starts immediately. You can accept a new Diabetes Educator role or a closely related health education position without any additional paperwork, as long as the new role is still related to your field of study.