Competencies are defined as the knowledge, skills, attitudes, and judgements required to do a task to a specific level of proficiency (ability).¹

¹ Angela Cuddy. Partnership for Dietetic Education and Practice. (2010). The development of integrated practice competencies for the profession of dietetics – phase one report.

The Partnership for Dietetic Education and Practice or PDEP (2013) defines entry-level competency as follows:

“When presented with routine situations, the entry-level dietitian applies relevant competencies in a manner consistent with generally accepted standards in the profession, without supervision or direction, and within a reasonable timeframe.

The dietitian selects and applies competencies in an informed manner. The dietitian anticipates what outcomes to expect in a given situation, and responds appropriately.

The entry-level dietitian recognizes unusual, difficult to resolve and complex situations which may be beyond their capacity. The dietitian takes appropriate and ethical steps to address these situations that may include seeking consultation, supervision or mentorship, reviewing research literature, or a referral (p. 2).”¹

Examples of entry-level competency can be found in “My Self-Assessment.”

¹ Partnership for Dietetic Education. (2013). Integrated Competencies for Dietetic Education and Practice. Retrieved October 15, 2015 from http://www.dietitians.ca/Downloads/Public/ICDEP-April-2013.aspx

A dietitian is not competent when he or she does not demonstrate the required knowledge, skills, judgements, or attitudes to practice dietetics safely, effectively, and ethically. Some examples of incompetence include: ¹

• Working outside of a dietitian’s scope of practice
• Failing to consult or make a referral when a situation is beyond one’s personal level of competence
• Not practicing dietetics based on scientific principles and current evidence
• Not adhering to ethical guidelines for the dietetics profession²

For example, if a practicing dietitian is found not to be competent by a regulatory body, limits or conditions could be placed on his or her practice, or his or her license could be suspended or revoked.³

¹ College of Dietitians of Alberta. (2008). Code of ethics. Retrieved October 15, 2015 from http://collegeofdietitians.ab.ca/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Code-of-Ethics-Master-revised-April-2008.pdff

² Dietitians of Canada. (2012). Principles of professional practice. Retrieved October 15, 2015 from http://www.dietitians.ca/Downloads/Members-Only/Principles-of-Prof-Practice---English.aspx

³ College of Dietitians of British Columbia. (2009). The complaint resolution process. Retrieved October 15, 2015 from http://www.collegeofdietitiansbc.org/documents/Ic_02_Complaint_Resolution_Process_final_Oct_23_09.pdf

The ICDEP describe the minimum level of knowledge, skills, attitudes and judgement expected of all dietitians at the point of entry into the profession in Canada to practice safely, effectively, and ethically.

The ICDEP include:

1. Competencies

Competencies are job tasks expected of a dietitian. There are competencies related to the three main areas of nutrition practice: Nutrition Care, Population and Public Health, and Management (including food service management). There are also competencies related to Professional Practice, and Communication and Collaboration, which span across all three areas of practice.

2. Performance Indicators

Each competency is made up of a series of performance indicators, which are assessed to determine if an individual is able to perform the competencies at the required level of proficiency. The performance indicators can be thought of as the “steps” that need to be completed to demonstrate the competency.

In total, there are 30 Competencies and 280 Performance Indicators. They are distributed as follows:

Nutrition Care
# of Competencies = 4
# of Performance Indicators = 68

Population and Public Health
# of Competencies = 4
# of Performance Indicators = 28

Management
# of Competencies = 3
# of Performance Indicators = 55

Communication and Collaboration
# of Competencies = 6
# of Performance Indicators = 55

Professional Practice
# of Competencies = 13
# of Performance Indicators = 74

3. Foundational Knowledge Content Areas

This is the body of knowledge that is required for dietetics practice.

The diagram below describes the different components of the ICDEP document, including where you can find the competencies, performance indicators and foundational knowledge content areas:

1. The Competencies are the job tasks expected of a dietitian.

2. The Performance Indicators (PIs) are ways someone would show that he or she is capable of doing the job task (competency). There are a number of PIs associated with a particular competency.

It is the consistent demonstration of the set of PIs for a particular competency that gives confidence that someone will be safe, effective and ethical in their practice. Each PI has a number associated with it - for example, in the diagram, the PI would be identified as 3.01a.

3. The Foundational Knowledge Content Areas relate to learning gained through academic course work. When integrated and combined, this body of knowledge is unique to a dietitian and relates to whether someone may be able to perform the job task of a dietitian at entry-level proficiency.

4. The Assessment columns indicate where each Performance Indicator (PI) is required to be assessed at a minimum.

• The Academic column lists PIs that are assessed through university-based coursework.
• The Internship/Practicum column lists PIs that are assessed through supervised practical training in dietetics.
• The CDRE column lists the PIs that are assessed in the national licensure exam for dietitians in Canada (called the Canadian Dietetic Registration Examination or CDRE).

All PIs are assessed by a combination of academic and internship/practicum experience. The CDRE assesses a selection of PIs to confirm competency.

The Partnership for Dietetic Education and Practice (PDEP) led the development of the ICDEP. PDEP represents and brings together the three key sectors in dietetics in Canada – dietetic regulatory bodies, academic programs/dietetics training programs, and the national dietetics professional association (Dietitians of Canada).

Through PDEP, a working group of dietitians was established to draft a profile of the ICDEP competencies with representatives from each of the three sectors of PDEP. The working group was coordinated and supported by consultants with expertise in competency development, competency assessment, and dietetics.

The working group used their own expertise and reviewed source documents, such as previous competency profiles for dietitians in Canada, dietetics competency profiles from around the world, as well as other health professional competency frameworks, to arrive at a draft set of competencies. The draft was distributed to practicing dietitians in Canada for feedback and validation of the competencies.

Once the competencies were validated and confirmed, the working group drafted performance indicators for each competency. Dietetic educators, regulators, and the committee managing the Canadian Dietetic Registration Examination (CDRE) then participated in a consultative process on the performance indicators.

The current version of the ICDEP was finalized in 2013 after a number of years of development.

The ICDEP help to set clear expectations for what dietitians should know and be able to do when they enter the profession. The information below outlines how the ICDEP might be helpful to different audiences:¹

Internationally Educated Dietitians (IEDs)

The ICDEP may help IEDs understand the scope of practice of a dietitian in Canada, and what knowledge, skills, and abilities are needed to work as a dietitian in Canada.

Students

The ICDEP may help students better understand what the work of a dietitian entails, and what performance would be expected of them by the end of their education and training.

Dietetics education and practical training programs, and dietetics regulatory bodies in Canada

The ICDEP may help in developing consistent approaches to competency assessment.

Employers

The ICDEP may help employers understand what dietitians are able to do at entry into the profession. This ensures that what an employer expects of a dietitian is within their professional scope. It also can promote dietitians working to their full scope of ability.

¹ Angela Cuddy. Partnership for Dietetic Education and Practice. (2010). The development of integrated practice competencies for the profession of dietetics – phase one report.

The ICDEP guide to Canadian dietetic education and training

The ICDEP are used to guide accredited Canadian dietetic education and practical training programs in preparing individuals for safe, effective, and ethical practice. Accredited programs need to show where and how in their curriculum they assess the competencies and performance indicators in the ICDEP.

The ICDEP are a minimum standard. Some educational programs may provide learning opportunities in addition to what is required in the ICDEP, or may require students to demonstrate higher levels of proficiency than what is noted to meet program-specific goals.

The ICDEP are used to assess applicants for entry into the dietetics profession

The ICDEP are used as a foundation to assess applicants wishing to apply to a provincial dietetic regulatory body for registration. This may happen in two ways:

• The ICDEP are used to help determine eligibility for registration with a provincial dietetic regulatory body. For example, depending on provincial processes, an internationally educated dietitian may need to successfully complete an in-person competency assessment linked to the competencies in the ICDEP.
• The ICDEP are used to develop the Canadian Dietetic Registration Examination (CDRE), an eligibility requirement in all provinces (with the exception of Quebec) for full registration. All questions on the CDRE are matched to specific performance indicators. The ICDEP document identifies which performance indicators may be measured on the CDRE.

The ICDEP are used for quality assurance programs

Provincial dietetic regulatory bodies may also use components of the ICDEP in quality assurance programs designed to ensure dietitians continue to be competent to practice throughout their careers.

As an internationally educated dietitian wishing to practice in Canada, you are required to show that your academic and practical training are substantially equivalent to the ICDEP, including the Competencies, Performance Indicators, and Foundational Knowledge Content Areas. Substantial equivalence is determined by provincial dietetic regulatory bodies.

If your assessment indicates you have not demonstrated substantial equivalence to the ICDEP, you may be required to complete more university academic coursework and/or supervised practical training in dietetics.

It is important to follow the guidelines and requirements of the relevant provincial dietetic regulatory body in terms of what courses and practical training would be acceptable to fulfill the registration requirements for your specific situation.

Contact the dietetic regulatory body in the province that you would like to work in to understand their specific provincial assessment process.

You can self-assess your knowledge and skill compared to the competencies in the ICDEP by completing the “My Self-Assessment” tool on this website.

The “My Self Assessment” tool provides examples of how dietitians may demonstrate each competency (through the related performance indicators) at an entry-level of proficiency. Completing the self-assessment may help you identify your own strengths and areas for improvement.

The skill of self-assessment is often encouraged in health professions in Canada, and is used as a method to support ongoing competency throughout a career.¹

It is important to note that although self-assessment may be helpful, it is not always entirely accurate. Regardless of the results of your self-assessment, you will need to apply for registration and be assessed by a provincial dietetic regulatory body to practice in Canada.

Your assessment by a provincial dietetic regulatory body may result in the need for further education and/or practical training.

¹ Baxter, P., & Norman, G. (2011). Self-assessment or self deception? A lack of association between nursing students’ self-assessment and performance. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 67(11), 2406-2413. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2648.2011.05658.x

Dietetic students in Canada have opportunities to demonstrate learning through accredited university academic and practical training programs.

• The competencies found in the Academic column of the ICDEP document must be completed in an accredited university academic program at a minimum. The ability to perform the competencies may be assessed by testing, case studies, simulations (e.g. demonstrating your knowledge and skill by interacting with actors), research projects, presentations, and so on.
• The competencies in the Practicum/Internship column of ICDEP must be completed in a program of supervised practical training in dietetics with a minimum of 1250 hours (approximately 35 weeks) in dietetics across Nutrition Care, Population and Public Health, and Management (including food service management).¹ The ability to perform the competencies may be assessed by dietetics work in workplaces such as hospitals, Long-Term Care homes, community health centres and other settings.

¹ Partnership for Dietetic Education. (2014). Accreditation standards for dietetic education programs in Canada. Retrieved October 15, 2015 from http://www.dietitians.ca/Downloads/Public/PDEP_Accreditation_Stds_Education_Programs_2014.aspx

In summary, the dietetics profession in Canada is competency-based. Competencies are used to determine whether dietitians are safe, effective, and ethical, both at the point of entry into the profession as well as throughout their career.

The ICDEP is the full competency profile for dietetics in Canada that serves as a consistent standard for competency assessment processes across academic and practical training programs, as well as at the provincial regulatory level.

As an internationally educated dietitian, you are required to show substantial equivalence to the ICDEP when you complete an assessment for registration with a provincial dietetic regulatory body.

You can self-assess your knowledge and skill compared to the ICDEP by completing the “My Self-Assessment” tool on this website.

Regardless of the results of your self-assessment, you will need to apply for registration and be assessed by a provincial dietetic regulatory body to practice in Canada.