Food & Nutrition

Certified Nutrition Support Clinicians (CNSCs): 

• Provide nutritional intake recommendations to patients who cannot eat a normal diet, for example, those in critical care who require intravenous feeding. 
• These clinicians are certified through a national exam and maintain their CNSC status by passing the national certification exam every five years.

Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialists (CDCES)

• These clinicians are licensed or certified health professionals such as Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDNs), nurses or physicians who have a minimum of two years and 1,000 hours of diabetes patient education, work in a primary role as a diabetes educator and have passed the national certifying exam. 
• Maintenance of the CDE credential requires passing the national certification exam every five years or acquiring a specified number of Continuing Education hours.

Certified Renal Specialist (CRS):

• These clinicians are advanced practice specialists in Renal Nutrition care. They provide expertise to patients with kidney disease, including those requiring dialysis and transplant recipients. 
• They have successfully met practice hour requirements, passed a national certification exam, and must re-take the certification exam every five years.

Certified Specialist in Obesity and Weight Management (CSOWM):

• These clinicians are advanced practice specialists in weight management.  They provide expertise to patients who want to lose weight and those who have bariatric surgery.
• They have successfully met practice hour requirements, passed a national certification exam, and re-take certification exam every 5 years.

Inpatient Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDNs): 

• Monitor admitted patients’ nutritional status to help with recovery from illness. 
• Dietitians assess patients’ nutritional status, instruct and counsel patients who are on special diets, and monitor how patients are eating.

Outpatient Dietitian Nutritionists (RDNs): 

• Provide nutrition assessment and diet education to patients who are not hospitalized.