Diabetes Aide
Nurse Delegation Requirements
When a licensed nurse is not available, an RN, who has met the requirements listed in ARSD 20:48:04.01:17, may delegate the following tasks to a qualified and trained diabetes aide:
- Helping a person with an insulin pump or with an insulin pen device;
- Administering subcutaneous (SQ) insulin from a vial and syringe or with an insulin pen device;
- Assisting a person with counting carbohydrates;
- Performing blood glucose monitoring.
Nurses are required to follow the General Delegation Criteria and Supervision requirements and should review the Delegation Decision Making Algorithm to guide whether a specific nursing task may be safely delegated.
Diabetes Aide Requirements
- Complete the 10-hour diabetes aide training course that is taught by an RN instructor
- Pass a final exam, administered by the RN instructor
- Pass a skills competency evaluation administered by the RN
RN Instructor Requirements
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Have on file a written protocol that includes the requirements listed in ARSD 20:48:04.01:16(4),(5);
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Complete the BON's online RN Train-the-Trainer Course;
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Teach or ensure that the 10-hour diabetes aide training course was completed by the Nursing Assistant. The course must consist of:
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5-hours of instruction on diabetes topics listed in ARSD 20:48:04.01:16(1). The Board offers a free online Diabetes Aide Training Course that meets this requirement.
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Administration of a written exam, as required in ARSD 20:48:04.01:16(2); the RN instructor may contact the Board to request access to questions for use in developing exam.
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5-hours of clinical/lab instruction, as outlined in ARSD 20:48:04.01:16(3), that includes an evaluation of competency to perform the diabetes tasks using the Board's approved Diabetes Aide Competency Checklist.
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Annually, revalidate the Diabetes Aide's competency, as required in ARSD 20:48:04.01:16(6); an RN may opt to use the Board's Diabetes Aide Competency Checklist
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Document training and maintain on file per facility policy.
Supervision Requirements
- Initital supervision by the RN is required: the delegating RN must meet in-person with a new Diabetes Aide during a client’s mealtime at least two times per week in the first four weeks to consult with the Diabetes Aide and to evaluate competence.
- The RN must always be available by electronic communication at all meal times.
- The RN must evaluate the Diabetes Aid's competence annually using the Board's Diabetes Aide Competency Checklist
- See rule: ARSD 20:48:04.01:16(4).
Diabetes Aides employed in Assisted Living Centers are required to be registered as a Medication Aide.