Karissa Belk
Lexington
Summary
Certified Diabetes Educator with expertise in diabetes management and patient education. Developed personalized care plans to enhance glycemic control and promote evidence-based practices. Fostered multidisciplinary collaboration and advocated for patient resources to achieve optimal health outcomes.
Overview
34
34
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Inpatient Diabetes Nurse Educator
Medical University of South Carolina
Orangeburg
08.2025 - Current
- Managed implementation of Glytec management systems, enhancing glucose control for hospitalized patients.
- Developed inpatient diabetes education program focused on preventing rehospitalization by ensuring clients accessed necessary resources and follow-up care.
- Educated staff on best practices in diabetes care and management techniques, improving overall patient support.
- Monitored and documented patient progress in managing diabetes effectively.
- Provided telephone consultation services regarding questions from patients or healthcare professionals about diabetes management.
Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist
Prisma Health
Columbia
12.2023 - 08.2025
- Educated patients and families on disease processes, symptom management, and follow-up care to enhance understanding and adherence.Provided education to individuals and groups about preventative healthcare measures such as diet, exercise and medication compliance.
- Educated individuals and groups on preventative healthcare measures, including diet, exercise, and medication compliance, to promote healthier lifestyles.
- Provided ongoing education about disease processes, symptom management and follow up care instructions.
- Assessed patient needs upon discharge and coordinated follow-up appointments with specialists.
- Facilitated communication among care providers, specialists, and hospitals to ensure coordinated patient care.
Certified Diabetes Educator, Lexington Endocrinology
Lexington Medical Center
Lexington
10.2015 - 11.2023
- Collaborated with healthcare teams to enhance patient outcomes through tailored treatment plans.
- Developed personalized care plans for diverse patient populations.
- Provided education to individuals for meal planning, medication and insulin pump device management.
- Reviewed and updated educational materials, ensuring alignment with current guidelines for diabetes management.
- Mentored junior staff in diabetes education practices and patient engagement techniques.
- Utilized electronic health records to track patient progress and interventions.
- Identified areas where improvements can be made within existing processes or systems related to providing optimal care for diabetic patients.
- Participated in community outreach programs to promote diabetes prevention and management awareness among diverse populations.
Diabetes Program Coordinator/Case Manager, Home Health Nursing Services
Palmetto Health
Columbia
08.2012 - 10.2015
- Collaborated with management team to refine diabetes-related policies using evidence-based practices, aiming to enhance patient outcomes.
- Managed direct patient education to help clients improve self-care at home.
- Maintained statistical information to inform care decisions in a cost-competitive environment.
- Executed administrative tasks in healthcare setting to enhance patient care.
Outpatient/Inpatient Diabetes Nurse Educator
Caromont Health
Gastonia
05.2006 - 08.2012
- In the outpatient environment, I provided education to individuals and in group classes for our clients to maintain their health with the chronic disease of diabetes.
- Delivered specialized care and education to clients using insulin pumps and those with gestational diabetes, improving their self-management skills.
- I am a certified pump trainer for Animas, Omnipod and Medtronic.
- Supported patients in both inpatient and outpatient settings, enhancing their understanding of diabetes management.
- Educated hospitalized clients on diabetes management, fostering better health outcomes during their stay.
- Education included the disease process of diabetes, medications, healthy lifestyle change, prevention of complications and necessary physician involvement.
- I also provided health coaching for the employee chronic disease management programs that our hospital offered.
- Collaborated with case management teams to identify community resources for patient support.
Staff Nurse/Unit Educator
Carolinas Medical Center
Charlotte
04.1992 - 04.2006
- Cared for high-risk and routine post-partum patients and ante-partum patients experiencing medical complications, ensuring safe and effective care.
- Monitored electronic fetal status of ante-partum patients and maintained IV status. Taught patients about STDs, birth control options, and vaccinations. Arranged physician follow-ups for diabetes and hypertension.
- Performed unit charge duties, including making patient assignments, evaluating staffing needs, addressing patient and family complaints, and supervising nursing staff.
- Supervised nursing orientation, facilitated continuing education activities, and managed annual competency assessments to enhance staff skills and compliance.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
University of North Carolina at Charlotte
Charlotte, NC01-2007
Diploma - Nursing
Presbyterian Hospital School of Nursing
Charlotte, NC01-1987
Skills
- Diabetes management
- Glycemic control
- Insulin pump therapy
- Continuous glucose monitoring
- Gestational diabetes
- Medication strategies
- Patient education
- Care coordination
- Self-management support
- Health coaching
- Team collaboration
- Multidisciplinary collaboration
- Community outreach
- Resource advocacy
- Evidence-based practices
- Healthcare software utilization
- Problem solving
- Maintain databases
- Patient group training
- Maintain databases
Certification
- RN State of SC, 219128, 04/2028
- BLS, 08/2026
- Certified Diabetes Educator from the NCBDE, 2802-0025, 01/2008, 12/31/2028
Phone
mobile, 704-578-9757
Degree
BSN, RN, CDCES
Timeline
Inpatient Diabetes Nurse Educator
Medical University of South Carolina
08.2025 - Current
Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist
Prisma Health
12.2023 - 08.2025
Certified Diabetes Educator, Lexington Endocrinology
Lexington Medical Center
10.2015 - 11.2023
Diabetes Program Coordinator/Case Manager, Home Health Nursing Services
Palmetto Health
08.2012 - 10.2015
Outpatient/Inpatient Diabetes Nurse Educator
Caromont Health
05.2006 - 08.2012
Staff Nurse/Unit Educator
Carolinas Medical Center
04.1992 - 04.2006
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
University of North Carolina at Charlotte
Diploma - Nursing
Presbyterian Hospital School of Nursing