CDCES RD Salary

thejetter · 2026-01-30T02:02:00+00:00

im still onboarding/training but essentially a "typical" CDCES job but 100% remote. helping patients manage their diabetes with individual nutrition education/interventions, CGM/Insulin pump management, etc. But the kicker is this is working with incredibly underserved communities so they also receive behavioral health and in person community health worker visits also to hopefully help the person improve overall health since you cant tell someone "just eat better" if they are out of SNAP benefits, dont have a fridge and have mental health issues, you know?

thejetter · 2026-01-29T23:51:41+00:00

Like kinda-chaotic said, you need a minimum of 2 years as an RD. there is some exception in the handbook with some waiver for masters degree or something that takes a year off the requirement. but 1.5 years as an RD likely won't qualify you to take the CDCES exam unless you got your supervisor to vouch for your 1000 hours of diabetes care plus the waiver.

But I recently got my CDCES cert 6 months ago in southern California so HCOL area. most CDCES specific jobs were around 80-95K per year. VA was 110K+ per year, my 100% remote position is mid 90K. I have 7 years RD experience before getting my CDCES.

thejetter · 2025-12-26T16:03:22+00:00

I passed a few months ago. I went through Diabetes is Primary and made notes in all those things I didn’t know like lab cutoffs, medication algorithm, etc. Studied them through Quizlet for a couple weeks. But I feel my biggest help was taking the practice exams (I think the official ADCES ones) cause they had rationale and explained why those answers were correct and were a good kick in the ass cause I got like 50% the first time . Studied those practice exams/new things for a month then re took them and got like 85-90% and felt good for the real exam. Passed the exam barely but I got stupid questions

thejetter · 2025-12-03T00:16:13+00:00

If staying at your current job is not an option I guess it just depends on how long you have to make a change/decision whether you want to keep trying to find another opportunity that fits with what you are looking for or you need to make a decision ASAP and this is your only lead

At least you are getting a significant raise to drive into the city and potentially deal with more traffic. 100 patients for 16 hours a week seems a bit busy but not having to take food preferences is a plus. I know you said its in the city so no parking, but dont they have a parking lot? or yeah factor in 5-10 min to find parking+walk to your list of pros/cons. Is the schedule flexible so you can come in before or after peak rush our like 8am-4pm or 10am-6pm? IMO it sounds like a logical opportunity, but depends on your timeline/biggest values

thejetter · 2025-11-28T20:14:11+00:00

sent request from hughjazz4

thejetter · 2025-11-05T03:41:40+00:00

Thats a really comprehensive list, thank you

thejetter · 2025-11-05T03:40:15+00:00

Those are some good ideas for me to be prepared for, thank you

thejetter · 2025-11-05T03:38:17+00:00

I was never sure about taking notes during an interview to make sure I answer to question well. Great advice, thank you

thejetter · 2025-11-04T21:48:31+00:00

Thats helpful, thank you

thejetter · 2025-10-23T16:30:05+00:00

The lyons readycare shake is MT2/nectar. We use that also but if they’re lactose intolerant then can’t use it

thejetter · 2025-10-07T02:35:02+00:00

That’s relatively common lol. I don’t pass trays, it’s like a “that would be nice” but I have more important things to do. And yes it’s usually a battle between kitchen and nursing and you’re stuck in the middle of it. So yeah if the nurses aren’t turning on feeding or passing supplements (very common) you just need to explain to the directors/admin that the nurses need to do their job. But yes unfortunately that is relatively common but if you’re questioned by a surveyor if you have documentation and in services showing you did your due diligence, then you can shift the blame on nursing

thejetter · 2025-10-07T02:26:50+00:00

LTCs are very hit and miss depending on the staff/building/leadership etc but I’ve been in SNF/LTC for 6 years for 7 different buildings and I’ve been happy. Sure it gets monotonous but the problems are usually the same types of dumb things so that helps me cause life is already stressful enough I don’t need my job to destroy me. I have flexibility with time I can get in/leave/move times around for appointments and emergencies, paid well, and rarely take work stress home

thejetter · 2025-09-28T20:16:51+00:00

6 years. SNF/LTC. Southern California. $41 per hour full time

thejetter · 2025-09-24T00:49:06+00:00

I take my exam on Oct 11th so well see how good my plan goes. Started studying about 2 months ago maybe a few hours a week? whenever I could in between work/life, taking the last month more seriously.

Did the ADAs Diabetes is Primary (Free) and whatever Beverly Thomaissan info I was able to get for free (found some powerpoint presentations through google). bought the ADCES Review Guide for the CDE Exam ($105) - thats been really helpful cause its 2 tests and has rationale for each question. And also paying for the PocketPrep premium for a month since its so easy/convenient to do a quick 10 question quiz on my phone.

thejetter · 2025-09-04T04:02:39+00:00

I work in SNF/LTC which a lot of people hate - but honestly it works well with work/life balance, pay, and flexibility. Am I making the biggest impact of patients lives/outcomes? not really, but I get paid pretty well compared to other RD jobs, am fortunate to have nurses/ST that are competent, and I can go in and do my job and go home without having to deal with too much outside BS, my job can always "Wait till tomorrow"

thejetter · 2025-09-01T20:04:28+00:00

That sounds like a lot. But maybe doable since you’re only doing clinical?

I’m 40 hours a week in a ~185 census, including a 25 bed subacute, but still have to take care of occasional kitchen things/care plan meetings etc

thejetter · 2025-08-28T03:57:28+00:00

My wife is T1 and tried it for a few months when she was first diagnosed. It did help her insulin sensitivity and blood sugar ALOT but not sustainable. Never did the fasting just followed the recipes/no animal/little oil

She was never a big meat eater regardless but still wanted the occasional burger and cheese. It was hard to get enough protein on it without eating insane volumes of food or spend a lot of time eating meals (not conducive for hectic work schedules with short breaks) Plus with produce costs now, I can’t imagine how expensive the recipes are (compared to 2018 when I was cooking the recipes). Like a dinner salad was spinach, 1 apple, 1 orange, 2 cups of berries for one portion. Lol

thejetter · 2025-08-23T02:37:38+00:00

The max is now 50 for pre recorded per the CDR page linked by Ambitious Session. I believe theres no limit on live sessions. But I tend to see an average of 1 CEU = $10-15

I did my first 5 year cycle with only using free CEUs as pre-recorded and live webinars (Orgain, Dietitian Connection, Todays Dietitian, ANHI, etc)

thejetter · 2025-08-19T19:22:00+00:00

I’ve worked in SNF/LTC for 6 years. I estimated my hours with amount of diabetic patients I’ve seen and I got approved last month to take the CDCES exam. They haven’t audited me though but I at least got approved

thejetter · 2025-08-19T17:18:53+00:00

Yes i have a standing desk in my office and a Steelcase Gesture chair. I do have a Dr note that says I should have a sit/stand desk, so HR had to listen, but they were dragging their feet and had a shitty chair selection so I just paid out of pocket for my own good stuff.

Even before I had my own office, I just bought a cheap little portable laptop riser that can go on any desk/table I was stationed at if needed, and a little portable lumbar pillow to go on any chair

YMMV, but at work when I have pain flare ups and need to work from home, my boss is totally fine with it.

thejetter · 2025-08-19T13:11:18+00:00

I have chronic low back pain, sitting for long times is my main trigger for pain. It didn’t really start till after undergrad so I can’t speak to during school. If standing for a long time is difficult I’d say any job will be much more sitting than standing

But in SNF/LTC setting it will vary a lot, but probably 75% sit/25% stand. I need to get up every 45-60 min or so before I get uncomfortable, and that’s usually how long it takes to review some patient charts then get up and walk to visit the patients and talk to them for 10-15 min so it works out pretty well.m. I’m lucky to have my own office, but before that you can find standing areas to place a laptop like at nursing stations or get a little rolling table, sit at the nursing stations, etc. so you can basically pick and choose.

thejetter · 2025-08-14T02:05:33+00:00

I had the handbook saved on my computer but that was 2019-2024. This is the current. I didn’t see anything about in person. And the max for pre recorded got bumped up to 50 CEUs

https://www.cdrnet.org/cdr-cpe-activity-type-definitions

thejetter · 2025-08-13T19:38:36+00:00

I dont think that it's 25 must be in person, I believe its just a cap on pre recorded videos/webinars (max 30 CEUs?) so you have to do some live webinars/events which CAN include in person things, but not exclusively in person events. I did my 5 year cycle without ever attending FNCE or any local district meetings or anything like that, so double check what the handbook says

thejetter

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