Download
1 / 31
310 likes | 528 Vues
Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and Iowa Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Joetta Redlin. Engagement with Licensure: Advancing Your Profession. Why Should Licensure be a Priority?. Because – Our Current Environment Demands It! Other health professionals are seeking advancement
E N D
Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics • and • Iowa Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics • Joetta Redlin • Engagement with Licensure: Advancing Your Profession
Why Should Licensure be a Priority? • Because – Our Current Environment Demands It! • Other health professionals are seeking advancement • Health Care Reform may include provisions for services for licensed health professionals • A strong scope of practice is essential in current competitive environment
Health reform initiatives in the states could focus a new emphasis on licensure Licensure protects the public No licensure statute –is better than a bill that gives up everything to those who do not meet the standards of the licensure bill under consideration Federal laws and rules identify MNT with the RD as it stands now Currently, the environment is competitive The Current Licensure Debate 3
Why RDs Need to Take Professional Responsibility “Scope creep” expanded to current licensed states Other health groups are vocal Health Reform State budgets are limited Scope of practice is threatened
Licensure boards establish standards for the profession and…….. • Boards stop unqualified persons who attempt to practice if they are not licensed. • That is a basic tenet to limiting harm for citizens.
Licensing Board Members - A Value to the Profession…. Keep RD Board Appointments Current
Responsibility of RD Licensing Board Member with regard to affiliate • Appropriate communications with Affiliate Board • Awareness of affiliate Board liaison • Keep qualification standards and registration standards current to retain Board status • Plan ahead for Sunset timelines • Remain aware of term expiration deadlines; communicate with Affiliate Board • Res
Advocacy and visibility are important in protecting your scope of practice Stay connected with state legislators and your governor If licensing boards are considered for elimination, make sure you have strong political relationships in place
State Licensing Boards and….. The RD Licensee … So What’s in it for me?
The Affiliate • Awareness of licensure board activities • Regular meetings, licensee access • Accessible agency structure • Enforcement program • Official reporting mechanisms • Responsibility for staying current on board appointment information • Know the types of positions • Frequency State Licensing Boards and…
State Licensing Boards and … The Affiliate • Recommendations to the governor for board appointments • Affiliate liaison role on licensure board • Affiliate connections – is your licensure board on the list for elimination?
How does this impact the RD? • Competition and scope creep can jeopardize jobs and professional influence • Health care reform may prioritize the “licensed” professional • The need for clarity in the public is great and impacts public perception of the RD • Elected officials have been given the myths; licensure helps to define the bright line of the profession • The risk of being grouped together with all who seek nutrition practice will impact the entire profession
ADA is seeking specific reports of harm – violations of licensure statutes Our profession needs your active participation!
The Confidence Factor • Can it be intimidating to consider reporting someone who is violating your state licensure statute? • Look beyond your confidence and think of your profession • After all, our profession needs all of us as RDs and DTRs to take responsibility for reporting harm
Who Should Report Harm? • Anyone from the public can report violations / harm • The professional who understands dietetic practice and wants to protect their scope of practice – the RD • If you don’t who will? • Dietetics licensure statutes were written to license you! • Dietetics licensure statutes exist to protect the public • You are the professional with the responsibility to uphold that part of the process and your licensure laws usually require it!
When Should violations and Harm be Reported? • Today • Tomorrow • And each day that violations or incidents of harm occur • Licensing Boards need • continual incidents to investigate
When is it too late to report ? • When your governor has put your licensing board on the elimination list • When a competing profession decides to expand their scope of practice to include nutrition assessment and counseling • When your state decides to seek licensure and you are preparing the testimony for the public hearing before your state legislative committee
Where Do You Report? To Your State Licensing Board
Why Should You Report ? • Without reports of violations and harm … • No investigations • No discipline • Few Board actions • Value of licensing Board gets questioned • Board’s Existence is diminished! • Sunset can occur !
Because you are required to If RD’s do not report harm, other groups may gain a competitive advantage Complacency will allow them to do so Board actions are your data for protecting your scope of practice! Why Report ?
Why Report ? • An increasingly competitive environment has lead to “scope creep”. • Some licensure critics are advocating for “health freedom” to enable practitioners with no minimum qualifications to practice unregulated. • Some existing Boards suffer from issues related to structure, budget, and authority that impact their effectiveness • Governors under pressure to cut state budgets may put your licensure board on the chopping block
How to Report • Use Board’s form • Describe incident in your own words • Use as much detail as possible • Use copies of pertinent documents • If using patient records - remove identifiers • Dates, times, type of service should be included • Sign and date • Anonymous complaints are difficult to process • (some statutes prohibit processing)
Your Role: Support your profession: help your state protect their scope of practice Each professional needs to take a step to support their licensure or certification statute
What Can You Do? Be well informed on the licensure issues If you are involved in affiliate leadership, make sure your affiliate board remains connected with your state licensing board Collect data on violations of harm to your licensure statute and encourage RDs to do the same Report the harm to your licensing board
