RD (Registered Dietitian) Scope of
Practice
Provide
Medical Nutrition Therapy
upon referral by physician or other provider authorized to
prescribe dietary treatments, to individuals or groups of
patients in licensed institutional facilities or in private
office settings. The referral shall be accompanied by a written
prescription signed by the health care provider detailing the
patient’s diagnosis and including a statement of the desired
objective of dietary treatment, unless a referring physician and
surgeon has established or approved a written protocol governing
the patient’s treatment.
Medical
Nutrition Therapy:
provision of nutritional and dietary counseling, conducting of
nutritional and dietary assessments, and development of
nutritional and dietary treatments, including therapeutic diets.
May accept
or transmit
verbal
orders or electronically transmitted orders from the referring
physician consistent with an established protocol to implement
medical nutrition therapy.
Ordering
medical laboratory tests: a
registered dietitian may order medical laboratory tests related
to nutritional therapeutic treatments when authorized by a
written protocol approved by the referring physician. If a
physician is absent, the registered nurse is to be notified that
a laboratory test is being ordered.
DTR (Dietetic Technician, Registered)
Scope of Practice
Under direct supervision of a registered dietitian, may assist
in the nutrition assessment, implementation, and monitoring of
medical nutrition therapy services provided by the RD.
May not develop nutritional or dietary therapy or treatments, or
accept or transmit verbal orders.
“Direct supervision” means the supervising RD shall be
physically available to the DTR for consultation whenever
consultation is required, including by telephone.
“Physically available” means physically onsite during regular
business hours, and includes telephone or electronic
availability at all times and the ability to respond to the
facility within a reasonable period of time when necessary.
The RD will review any activities performed by the DTR during
any period when the RD was not physically onsite.
The RD may supervise only 2 DTRs at one time. |
Students, Interns & New Graduates
Prior to Becoming an RD or DTR
RD students, interns and new graduates
Can perform MNT as described above if the person meets the
qualifications listed above and is part of a supervised practice
program for an RD or has completed a course of study to fulfill
the educational requirements for an RD. May not accept
verbal or electronic orders and may not order laboratory tests
and may not supervise DTRs.
The person may practice for 6 months from the date of completion
of a supervised program unless the person fails the
credentialing examination within that 6 month period.
The person must be supervised by an RD during this 6 month
period.
The person must apply to take the RD exam during this 6 month
period of time.
DTR
students, interns and new graduates
Can perform duties of a DTR if the person is part of a
supervised practice program or is enrolled in or has completed a
course of study to fulfill educational requirements for DTR.
Can practice for 6 months from date of completion of supervised
practice program for DTRs unless person fails the credentialing
examination within that 6 month period.
The person must be supervised by an RD during this 6 month
period.
This person must have applied to take the DTR credentialing exam
during this 6 month period of time. |
Government Affairs :: Qualifications (Quals) & Scope of Practice (SP) for RDs, DTRs,
Students & Interns
