Scope of Practice

Scope of practice in nutrition and dietetics includes the range of roles, activities and regulations within which accredited dietitians perform. The Hong Kong Academy of Accredited Dietitians (HKAAD) has set standards for best practice, fostered professionalism, and provided the basis for internal disciplinary mechanisms for the protection of members and the public. Accredited Dietitians are responsible for their competence and to act with integrity and honesty and within the limits of their qualifications and expertise.

The services provided by Accredited Dietitians will be guided by the Nutrition Care Process (NCP) developed by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics 2017). The Nutrition Care Process is a systematic and standard process for patient / client / population nutrition care and involve distinct and interrelated implementation of workflow practices (namely, nutrition assessment, nutrition diagnosis, nutrition intervention and nutrition monitoring and evaluation) and utilizes a standardized language.

Medical nutrition therapy (MNT) is the evidence-based application of the Nutrition Care Process to provide cost-effective comprehensive nutrition care for the prevention, delay or management of diseases and/or condition, in individuals / groups. MNT is the standard and systematic nutrition care process that utilizes all domains of nutrition intervention, including food and/or nutrient delivery, nutrition education, nutrition counselling and coordination of nutrition care as defined in the Nutrition Terminology Reference Manual (published by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics 2014).

Accredited Dietitians utilize the NCP workflow in the initiation, adjustment and monitoring of MNT. It may include: in-depth assessment of nutritional status, nutrition-focused physical examination, recommend / perform / interpret nutrition-related test results (such as anthropometric findings, laboratory tests), order nutrition-related laboratory tests (with granted or delegated order from referring physician), order and monitor nutrition interventions (such as prescribed diets and/or meal plan, medical foods, dietary supplements, over-the-counter medications, and enteral / parenteral feeds).

Practice Areas, Services and Activities

Accredited Dietitians may practice in diverse areas such as food production, food safety, food systems management, public health, community nutrition, information and communication technology, or research.

Healthcare	Accredited Dietitians may provide services and/or work in hospitals, clinics community / rehabilitation centers, long-term and post-acute or assisted-living facilities. Services and activities include nutrition education, MNT, counseling, discharge planning, care coordination, prevention and nutrition management of diseases and medical conditions.
Business & Nutrition Informatics	Accredited Dietitians possess the skill for effective retrieval and use of nutrition-related information for problem solving and decision making in business and nutrition-information technology. Accredited Dietitians may be employed as consultants, managers, designers and official bearers for the participation, management and direction of nutrition-related business. This includes the media industry, culinary and retail, corporate or agribusiness; through in-person or via telehealth nutrition practices, such as nutrient analysis, menu/recipes design, journal writing, etc.
Health and Wellness	Accredited Dietitians possess the knowledge and counseling skills needed to empower individuals or groups to implement lifestyle and behavior changes to achieve and maintain wellness. They may work as health and wellness coaches in health-care/fitness facilities.
Community & Public Health	Accredited Dietitians are able to monitor, educate, advice and advocate on nutrition-related population health/programs/issues. They may act as leaders, educators, consultants and researchers, in various organizations and schools.
Entrepreneurial & Private Practice	Accredited Dietitians may work in private practice as entrepreneurs and innovators for the provision of nutrition products / services. They may act as professional speakers, consultants, spokespersons, writers, journalist, chefs, wellness coaches etc. for profit- or non-profit organizations and businesses.
Food Service	Accredited Dietitians may manage and direct foodservice operations in health care and other settings.
Research & Universities	Accredited Dietitians are able to interpret, apply and instruct research findings related to food technology, nutrition science and dietetic practice. They may be employed in general and clinical research, in academic / commercial / non-profit organizations. Accredited Dietitians' work and responsibilities may include the application / management of grants / nutrition-related research, teaching, the developments of policy and recommendations.
School Nutrition	Accredited Dietitians may be employed in profit / non-profit organizations, including catering / food service companies, to act as educators, operators, managers, or consultants. They promote, implement, interpret and manage school nutrition programmes based on updated and relevant dietary guidelines.
Sports Nutrition	Accredited Dietitians are able to promote / guide optimal physical performance through nutrition intervention, the prevention and management of nutrition-related sport injury, and the management of food provision for the active. They may be employed as consultants / coaches for individual / group athletes, including sports institute, school / college / professional / private sport organization, military and rehabilitation centers.

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