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360-800-5682 (360-800-5NTA) nta@nutritionaltherapy.com

Scope of Practice & Code of Ethics

 

Scope of Practice

A Nutritional Therapy Practitioner™ (“NTP”) is a professional educated by the Nutritional Therapy Association, Inc.® NTPs are trained to evaluate a client’s nutritional needs and make bio-individual recommendations or provide follow up support for dietary changes, lifestyle choices, and nutritional supplementation based on the following:

  • Client Interview
  • Analysis of Client’s Food Journal
  • Nutritional Assessment Questionnaire

All advice and support recommendations made by an NTP should be based on evidence-based, scientific information. An NTP is not trained to provide medical nutrition therapy. An NTP may not diagnose, treat, prevent, prescribe, or cure any pathological condition, illness, or disease. No recommendation or comment made by an NTP should be construed as medical advice or a diagnosis. An NTP may not state nor imply that they are licensed or certified by the state. When an NTP completes their program, they earn the right to use the designated title of Nutritional Therapy Practitioner or NTP. An NTP must adhere to the laws in their state, which govern the appropriate use of other titles that may be applicable to their field and services offered.

Practitioners should be knowledgeable of the rights to practice nutritional therapy in their state of residence as defined by the laws of their state.

Roles Performed by Nutritional Therapy Association Practitioners:

The role of an NTP is to provide non-biased health and nutrition information to friends, neighbors, associates, and the community.  They educate the public on the cost/benefit of eating unprocessed, local, fresh, nutrient dense foods and quality nutritional products that support chronic nutritional deficiencies as well as lifestyle and environmental factors that contribute to these deficiencies.

NTPs Don’t:

  • Practice Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT)
  • Work outside of their Scope of Practice
  • Diagnose and treat disease
  • Make unproven health claims
  • Misrepresent training
  • Use unproven devices, assessments, or therapies
  • Use network marketing or product sales in lieu of individual client education.

 

NTPs Do:

  • Promote a nutrient dense diet
  • Focus on Foundational Nutrition and balancing the Nutritional Foundations
  • Promote active lifestyles
  • Teach historically traditional eating principles
  • Refer clients to licensed medical professionals if the client requires medical or mental health interventions

 

Distinguishing Features:

  • Fresh, natural-foods basis
  • Educational emphasis
  • Client based, not method or product-based
  • Refers to doctors for medical conditions
  • Highest standard of accountability and integrity
  • Uses informed consent and full disclosure forms
  • Adheres to the NTA Practitioner Code of Ethics

Code of Ethics

The Code of Ethics of the Nutritional Therapy Association is intended to support the members of the Nutritional Therapy Association individually and collectively in maintaining a high level of ethical conduct.

The standards are used to determine the propriety of conduct in relationships with clients, colleagues, members of allied professions, and the public. The purpose and values of the Nutritional Therapy Association guide this Code of Ethics.

  • NTA professionals will participate in activities that improve the nutritional well-being of the client and the community.
  • NTA professionals will strive continually to improve skill and knowledge and make their professional attainments available to their clients and colleagues.
  • An NTA professional’s services or protocols will be founded on a legal and practical basis. Practitioners will strive to work with others who uphold the highest letter of the law for our profession.
  • An NTA professional will not exceed their scope of service or practice, either in abilities or by law.
  • An NTA professional will choose whom they will serve. Having undertaken a client, however, they may not neglect the client unless discharged. The member may discontinue service only after giving due notice to the client.
  • An NTA professional will seek consultation in doubtful or difficult cases, and whenever it appears that the services of other professionals are warranted to provide more complete or better-quality advice.
  • An NTA professional will not reveal the confidences entrusted during consultations, unless required to do so by law. NTA professionals will comply with relevant HIPPA guidelines.
  • The professional of the Nutritional Therapy Association will obey all laws, uphold the dignity and honor of the profession, and accept its self-imposed disciplines. They will oppose without hesitation illegal or unethical conduct of fellow members.
  • An NTA professional will hold themselves to the highest level of moral and ethical character when interacting with clients and the public. Harassment or misconduct with clients or other professionals will not be tolerated.

 

Scope of Practice or Code of Ethics Violations

In the event a violation of scope of practice or code of ethics is reported to the NTA, our Academic Council will conduct an investigation to include the following steps:

  • A conversation with the reporter of the violation with a collection of any evidence they have to support their claims. Their identity will be kept confidential whenever possible.
  • A review of any public facing content associated with the NTP in question as relevant to the nature of the complaint, including but not limited to their website, social media content, and professional listings.
  • A conversation with the NTP in question to notify them of the complaint, share any findings we have from our initial investigation, and, depending on the nature of the reported violation, we may ask the NTP to provide us with any documentation or information they have about the reported event/action.
  • Details of the complaint and resulting conversations will be documents in the NTP’s record within NTA’s database.
  • After assessing all available information, the NTA will determine if any action is required and will notify the NTP of any needed changes or resulting consequences.
  • If the incident involves direct harm to an individual with documented proof, the first violation can result in a revocation of certification from the NTA.
  • For all other first offenses found to be valid, the NTA will issue a written warning to the NTP and provide guidance to ensure scope and the code of ethics are upheld moving forward.
  • If a second violation is reported and found to be valid, the NTP will placed on probationary terms to be determined based on the nature of the violation.
  • In the event a third violation is reported and found to be valid, the NTA will revoke the NTP’s credential and they will no longer be certified to practice.

If you need to report a violation you have witnessed or experienced, follow the steps below:

  • Gather the documentation/evidence you have to substantiate your claim. The NTA cannot properly investigate any report that is not sufficiently supported with evidence.
  • Write an account of your concern and attach supporting documentation to alumni@nutritionaltherapy.com, being sure to name the (F)NTP and your specific concerns related to a scope of practice or code of ethics violation.
  • The report will be provided to the members of the review commitee and the outlined investigative process with ensue.