Affiliations
College of Dietitians of Ontario
The college oversees the licensure, quality assurance (through a yearly Self-directed learning tool), discipline and standards of practice / scope of practice.
In Ontario, the scope of practice for RDs is quite broad – the assessment of nutrition and nutritional conditions and the treatment and prevention of nutrition related disorders by nutritional means as per the definition in the Dietetics Act, 1991.
In order to attain licensure with a provincial body, graduates of an accredited internship must pass the Canadian Dietetic Registration Exam which is a competency based exam for entry into the dietetic field.
Dietitians of Canada
Dietitians of Canada (DC) is the professional organization for dietitians in Canada, focusing on advocacy for the profession. It was formed in 1997 after years of operating as the Canadian Dietetic Association (1935).
DC significantly impacts the public awareness of dietitians and the important role they can improving the health of Canadians through the annual Nutrition Month campaign. They focus a lot of energy on the recognition of dietitians as trustworthy and reliable sources of nutrition information.
Ontario Health
In Ontario, RD services are funded by Ministry of Health and Long-Term care through the Local Health Integration Networks – the local health system that is in place to support Ontario residents through the health care system.
The intention is to improve access to health care in the community. They have been reduced the last 2 years and they are expected to be replaced with a super-agency called Ontario Health at some point in the near future.
Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre (RVH)
RVH is a 388 bed community hospital with regional programs in Critical Care, Nephrology, Stroke, Cancer and Rehabilitation to name a few. Dietitians work in all programs to support patient-centred care by providing up-to-date and evidenced based nutrition care.
I have worked at RVH for last 15 years in a variety of areas but have specialized in Critical care by providing nutrition support services to the sickest patients in our region. Recently taken on the regional role of Community and Long Term Care Coordinator with the Central East Stroke Network. This role supports the integrations of services for stroke survivors by developing a plan for uptake of stroke best practices amongst care providers who provide community and long-term care services.