The Certified Indigenous Community-Based Diabetes Support Coordinator (CICB-DSC) is a certification carrying a wider range of tasks, and higher degree of responsibility, than those of a diabetes community support worker. The standards and requirement for this certification reflect the deepened competencies needed to respond to a larger range of needs from a diverse clientele (age, gender, socioeconomic circumstances etc.) either living with diabetes or at risk.
The roles of a Certified Indigenous Community-Based Diabetes Support Coordinator, as an important member of a community health team, are outlined in the position description of the applicant, but usually include:
- Fostering awareness in the nature of diabetes, its risks and impacts
- Organizing prevention activities
- Providing self-management support for individuals and families living with diabetes
- Referring individuals and families living with diabetes to professional who can provide the care and treatment they need
- Coordinating and facilitating educational activities in schools and in the community
- Carrying out other duties and other responsibilities expected by the employer and documented in the description
The ICBOC Horizontal Laddering Certification System allows Certified Indigenous Diabetes Community-Based Support Coordinators to switch their certification to that of another certification at an equivalent level. Existing experience, knowledge and skills will be transferred and counted towards the new certification, so that an applicant does not have to start from scratch to obtain the new certification.
The ICBOC Vertical Laddering Certification System allows Certified Indigenous Diabetes Community-Based Support Coordinators to switch their certification to a higher certification available in ICBOC certifications in the field of diabetes, as long as they meet the work experience standards and training/education requirements for that certification.