4759-6-02. Standards of professional performance

Every licensee shall comply with the following standards of professional performance in accordance with the "Code of Ethics of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics":

(A) Credentials.

(1) The licensee shall accurately present professional qualifications and credentials.

(2) The licensee shall permit use of that licensee's name for the purpose of certifying that dietetic services have been rendered only if the licensee has provided or supervised those services.

(B) Provision of service.

The licensee shall provide professional service based on client expectations and needs. Quality service is provided, facilitated and promoted based on the licensee's knowledge, experience and understanding of client needs and expectations.

(1) The licensee shall avoid discrimination on the basis of factors that are irrelevant to the provision of professional services, including, but not limited to race, creed, sex, age, or handicap.

(2) The licensee shall assure that sufficient information is available to enable a client to establish mutual goals and make informed decisions.

(C) Quality in practice.

(1) The licensee shall systematically evaluate the quality of service and improve practice based on evaluation results.

(2) Quality practice requires regular performance evaluation and continuous improvement.

(3) The licensee shall adhere to acceptable standards for that licensee's area of practice and be designated to deliver services as approved by their facility. The authority and privilege to practice within the scope shall be consistent with the standards of practice of the "Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics" and other regulatory agencies such as, but not limited to, the "Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services" (CMS) guidelines as published in the Federal Register.

(4) The licensee shall generate, interpret and effectively apply evidence based interventions substantiated by research.

"Evidence based" interventions means the conscientious, explicit judicious use of current best evidence in making decisions about the care of patients and is consistent with the Centre for evidence based medicine definition in "Evidence based medicine; what it is and what it isn't", Sackett, DL et. al. 1996.

(D) Competence and accountability.

(1) The licensee shall assume responsibility and accountability for personal competence in practice and engage in lifelong learning. Competent and accountable practice includes continuous acquisition of knowledge and skill development.

(a) The licensee shall establish performance criteria, compare actual performance with expected performance, document results and take appropriate action.

(b) The licensee shall conduct self-assessment of strengths and weaknesses at regular intervals and develop, implement and evaluate an individual plan for practice based on assessment of client needs, current knowledge, and clinical experience.

(2) The licensee shall maintain knowledge and skills required for continued professional competence in a manner consistent with the requirements of the Commission on dietetic registration.

(3) The licensee shall recognize the limits of that licensee's qualifications and seek counsel or make referrals as appropriate.

(E) Conflict.

(1) The licensee shall remain free of conflict of interest while fulfilling the objectives aand maintaining the integrity of the dietetic profession.

(2) The licensee shall advance and promote the profession while maintaining professional judgment, honesty, integrity, loyalty, and trust to collegues, clients and the public.

(F) Endorsement.

The licensee shall promote or endorse products only in a manner that is true and not misleading.

(G) Communication and application of knowledge.

The licensee shall effectively apply knowledge and communicate with others to achieve common goals by effective sharing and application of their unique knowledge and skills in food, human nutrition and management services.

(H) Utilization and management of resources.

The licensee shall use resources effectively and efficiently.

The licensee shall use a systematic approach to identify, monitor, analyze and justify the use of time, money, facilities, staff and other resources while considering safety, effectiveness and cost in planning and delivering interventions.

(I) Approval of a general program of weight control.

A "general program of weight control" as defined in rule 4759-5-06 of the Administrative Code must be approved by either a registered or licensed dietitian or physician licensed in Ohio. For purposes of division (J) of section 4759.10 of the Revised Code, the licensee shall provide written approval of all components of the general program of weight control and assume responsibility for the following:

(1) Guidelines for instruction: Program content and written step-by-step information that the presenter provides to customers to enable them to follow the meal plan and other aspects of a general program of weight control.

(2) Meal plans: General categories or groups of foods and suggested combinations of specific foods. Meal plans shall not be individualized for specific persons, conditions, or disease states.

(3) Handouts: Any information distributed in conjunction with the general program of weight control.

(4) Supplements: Products, including vitamins, minerals, herbs and other substances used as part of, or an enhancement to, a general program of weight control. The use of these products shall be substantiated by current scientific evidence.

(J) Supervision.

When providing supervision of another for purposes of division (F) of section 4759.06 and divisions (B) and (E) of section 4759.10 of the Revised Code, and rule 4759-5-02 of the Administrative Code, a licensee shall assume responsibility for the supervision in a manner that protects the public.

(K) Compliance.

The licensee shall comply with all laws and regulations concerning the profession, but shall seek to change them if the laws or regulations are inconsistent with the best interest of the public and the profession. The licensee:

(1) Shall accept the obligation to protect society and the profession by upholding the standards of practice and standards of professional performance; and

(2) Shall report alleged violations of the laws, rules and standards to the state board of dietetics.

(L) Interpretation of information and application of research.

(1) The licensee shall present substantiated information and interpret controversial information without personal bias, recognizing that a legitimate difference of opinion may exist.

(2) The licensee applies, participates in, or generates research to enhance practice and to improve safety and quality of dietetic practice and services.

(M) Confidentiality.

The licensee shall maintain information consistent with legal obligations and client confidentiality.

(N) Professional conduct.

(1) The licensee shall conduct all practices with honesty, integrity, and fairness; and

(2) The licensee shall make and fulfill professional commitments in good faith; and

(3) The licensee shall inform the public and colleagues of services by use of factual information.

(4) The licensee shall make reasonable efforts to avoid bias in professional evaluation.

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: 4759.05(A)(8)
Prior Effective Dates: 11/30/87, 2/9/98, 3/15/03, 7/6/09