Gatton Diabetes Educator Apprentice Program

The UK Barnstable Brown Diabetes Center diabetes educator apprentice program provides an opportunity for healthcare professionals to obtain the comprehensive training and experience needed to become a Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist (CDCES). A CDCES is a health professional with credentials indicating they have acquired the diabetes care expertise needed to be an integral part of the interdisciplinary diabetes care team.

To prepare for this career, our training experience provides a one-year, non-accredited apprenticeship comprised of patient education experience across the lifespan, including pediatric and adult populations. Training areas covered include diabetes prevention, education in the acute and ambulatory settings, and diabetes technology. While completing this apprenticeship under professional supervision by a Licensed Diabetes Educator, the Diabetes Care and Education Apprentice will assist in the following activities:

• Managing diabetes comprehensively
• Conducting assessments
• Developing individualized care plans
• Delivering counseling and therapeutic interventions
• Adjusting regimens
• Evaluating the effectiveness of diabetes care

This apprenticeship is funded by the Bill Gatton Foundation, which honors the life and legacy of Carol Martin “Bill” Gatton. The Barnstable Brown Diabetes Center and the Gatton Foundation are committed to creating a workforce in Kentucky prepared to help people with diabetes effectively manage their disease.

Program start: July 1 or January 1
Program length: One year 
Application deadline: Rolling applications reviewed annually in May and October