Standards &
Guidelines

The role of the College is to protect the public by regulating the dietetic profession in Ontario. One way we do this by creating standards, practice guidelines and policies to help guide dietitians and ensure safe, competent, and ethical dietetic practice.

What is the difference between the various documents?
As per the Framework for Standards of Professional Practice, the following College documents are defined:

• Standards articulate the minimum performance expectations for dietitians to fulfill their professional responsibility to provide safe, ethical, and competent client-centered services. These are expressed using terms “must, shall, require, expect.”
• Standards are defined as the required behaviours for which dietitians are held accountable.

Practice Guidelines: 

• Practice Guidelines are regulatory in nature and do not replace clinical practice guidelines.
• They provide suggestions for voluntary behaviour to assist prudent practitioners and articulate recommendations for safe, competent, and ethical dietetic practice. These are expressed using terms, “should”, “are encouraged”.

Position and/or Policy Statements: 

• Position and/or Policy Statements generally describe what the College will do in certain circumstances (i.e. an interpretation of existing legal opinions). However, policy Statements may also guide the profession.

Advisory Statements/Practice Articles:

• Advisory Statements and Practice Articles generally provide notice to the profession of requirements (i.e. legal requirements, Ministry of Health information, etc.).

 These documents are intended to be used in conjunction with one another and not in isolation. Relevant legislation, the Code of Ethics, College Standards and Guidelines, position or policy statements serve the public, dietitians, and the College and its Committees when considering dietitian practice or conduct.

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Code of ethics

• Code of Ethics

COLLEGE Standards

• Standard for Dietitians Practicing Through Delegation of Controlled Acts
• Standards & Guidelines for Professional Practice: Conflict of Interest
• Consent to Treatment and for the Collection Use and Disclosure of Personal Health Information
• Professional Practice Standards for Record Keeping
• Collecting Capillary Blood Samples through Skin Pricking & Monitoring the Blood Readings (Point of Care Testing)

accreditation and Competency Standards

• Integrated Competencies for Dietetic Education and Practice (ICDEP) 2013
• Competencies for Dysphagia Assessment and Management in Dietetic Practice (June 2017)

COLLEGE Policies, GUIDELINES & Position Statements

Policies

• Professional Practice Policy – Scope of Practice for Registered Dietitians Caring for Clients with Dysphagia in Ontario

Guidelines

• Pandemic Guide for Registered Dietitians in Ontario
• Pandemic Policy & Planning Guide, 2020
• Collaborative Care Professional Practice Guidelines (2019)
• Boundary Guidelines for Professional Therapeutic RD-Client Relationships
• Record Keeping Guidelines
• Privacy of Personal Information Dietetic Practice Tool Kit
• Private Practice Set-Up Guide
• Infection Control for Regulated Healthcare Professionals
• Medical Waste Disposal Guidelines
• Guidelines for Supervising Dietetic Learners

Position Statements

• Position Statement & Practice Guidelines – Insulin Dose Adjustments for Registered Dietitians in Ontario
• Medical Assistance in Dying for Registered Dietitians in Ontario

COLLEGE definition OF PRACTISING DIETETICS 

• College's Definition of Practising Dietetics
• Policy: Determining Currency Practice Hours for Dietitians in Ontario 

COMPETENCIES

• Integrated Competencies for Dietetic Education and Practice (ICDEP) 2020
• Competencies for Dysphagia Assessment and Management in Dietetic Practice (June 2017)

Note:  This website provides current and updated information. Should there be a difference with documentation previously distributed to members, it is up to the members to source the latest version posted on the College website.