4759-5-01. Supervision of persons claiming exemption

For the purposes of the supervision requirement contained in divisions (B) and (E) of section 4759.10 of the Revised Code the dietitian who provides supervision shall be responsible for the supervision of the person claiming exemption from licensure as a dietetic technician, or dietetic technician registered, or nutrition associate and shall provide sufficient guidance and direction as to enable the person to perform competently. These individuals have completed at least a two-year associates degree or higher from a program in dietetic technology or dietetics that has been approved by the commission on accreditation for dietetics education of the "Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics." Dietetic technicians registered have also passed the national written examination administered by the commission on dietetic registration and maintain professional development / continuing education requirements for on-going registration.

The licensed dietitian is responsible and accountable for the nutrition care of patients / clients in all healthcare settings and must answer to patients, employers, licensure boards and the legal system if care is compromised.

The licensee shall not delegate the nutrition care process, but may assign tasks within the process to competent exempt practitioners for the purpose of providing the licensee with needed information and communicating with and educating patients / clients.

When supervising a person claiming exemption the licensee shall:

(A) Verify the credentials and competence of each individual exempt practitioner being supervised in the areas of dietetic practice as defined in section 4759.10 of the Revised Code. Those exempt practitioners who are competent to practice beyond minimum standards should be expected to demonstrate initial and on-going competence annually with documentation of successful audits.

The supervising dietitian can establish initial and on-going competency by individual means including but not limited to testing, evaluations, use of decision tree models and peer competency assessment. Engaging in on-going dietetics related continuing education is vital to competent practice.

(B) Provide the person being supervised with guidelines for appropriate assignments as part of the nutritional care process;

(C) Periodically establish performance criteria for the exempt practitioner, then assign tasks appropriately, direct and monitor the individual's practice. The supervising dietitian should compare actual performance with expected performance, document results and take appropriate action;

(D) Maintain written documentation of the initial and on-going competency assessment of the exempt practitioner, supervision being provided and performance of the individual, including participation in professional development / continuing education equivalent to the requirements of the commission on dietetic registration for dietetic technicians registered.

Documentation shall include, but is not limited to, dates of conferences, supervisory anecdotal notes, written evaluations and recommendations. Documentation should be maintained in the licensee's records and be available upon request of the board.

(E) The licensee shall provide supervision in a manner that protects the public. Direct supervision may be provided on-site, or supervision may be provided indirectly, as long as the licensee is immediately available by phone, e-mail, facsimile or other reliable means.

Five Year Review (FYR) Dates: 8/28/2019 and 08/28/2024
Promulgated Under: 119.03
Statutory Authority: 4759.05(A)
Rule Amplifies: 4759.10(B), (E)
Prior Effective Dates: 11/30/1987, 02/09/1998, 07/06/2009, 04/01/2013

Prior History: (Effective: 04/01/2013
R.C. 119.032 review dates: 12/18/2012 and 12/18/2017
Promulgated Under: 119.03
Statutory Authority: 4759.05(A)
Rule Amplifies: 4759.10(B), (E)
Prior Effective Dates: 11/30/87, 2/9/98, 7/6/09)