Employer Responsibilities under the RHPA

Professional Misconduct Considerations

Employers, managers, partners and associates should be aware of the professional and legal obligations of Registered Dietitians and other regulated health professional they employ or with whom they have an association. Registered Dietitians must abide by the ethics and standards of the profession. They have an obligation to refuse to engage in unprofessional or illegal behavior even if directed to do so by an employer. The College would instruct a Registered Dietitian to quit their employment or association rather than act unprofessionally or commit an act of professional misconduct.

The following are important resources to understand the professional and legal obligations of RDs:

Professional Standards

Code of Ethics Interpretive Guide
Professional Misconduct (O. Reg. 680/93, as amended by O. Reg. 203/00)
Standards of Practice for Dietitians in Canada

Policies & Guidelines

Dysphagia Policy
Client Abuse Prevention
Controlled Acts
Guidelines for the Conduct of Professional Members on the Prevention of Sexual Abuse
Health Care Consent Act (HCCA): Guidelines for Members
Infection Control Guide for RDs in Community Settings
Record Keeping

Legislation

Child and Family Services Act
Good Samaritan Act
Health Care Consent Act
Homes for the Aged and Rest Homes Act
Mental Health Act
Nursing Homes Act
Personal Health Information Protection Act, 2004
Public Hospitals Act and Hospital Management Regulation
Substitute Decisions Act