Following consultation with registrants over two years, AfN Council approved recommendations for changes to the structure and requirements of the UK Voluntary Register of Nutritionists (UKVRN), which took effect in 31st July 2012. These changes are summarised below.
CORE COMPETENCIES
The following five core competencies in nutrition are now applied to all registrants through demonstration of knowledge and understanding (for Associate Nutritionists) and through demonstration of knowledge, understanding and practical application (for Registered Nutritionist).
Core Competency 1 - Science
Knowledge and understanding of the scientific basis of nutrition. Understanding nutritional requirements from the molecular through to the population level – for either human or animal systems.
Core Competency 2 - Food Chain
Knowledge and understanding of the food chain and its impact on food choice. Integrating the food supply with dietary intake.
Core Competency 3 - Social/Behaviour
Knowledge and understanding of food in a social or behavioural context, at all stages of the lifecourse.
Core Competency 4 - Health/Wellbeing
Understanding how to apply the scientific principles of nutrition for the promotion of health and wellbeing of individuals, groups and populations; recognising benefits and risks.
Core Competency 5 - Professional Conduct
Understanding of professional conduct and the Association for Nutrition’s Code of Ethics with evidence of good character.
UNIFIED TITLES
There is now a single unified title, Registered Nutritionist, which will allow all Full Registrants to use the initials RNutr. The title Registered Public Health Nutritionist (RPHNutr) is being phased out and replaced by the unified title, which will facilitate promotion of the title to employers and members of the public.
There is a single unified ‘junior’ title, Associate Nutritionist which will allow those at the start of their career to use the letters ANutr. The title Associate Public Health Nutritionist (APHNutr) is being phased out and replaced by the unified title, Associate Nutritionist, which will facilitate promotion of the title. Since this is an entry level to the Register, there is no differentiation by specialist sub-category.
SPECIALIST AREAS OF FULL REGISTRATION
In addition, all Full Registrants identify their area of specialism. This will appear by their name on the Register and may be used bracketed after RNutr initials, for example Dr J Jones RNutr (Animal), Miss B Smith RNutr (Public Health).
Introduction of new specialist areas to the public version of the UKVRN, listed on the AfN website, assists members of the public and employers to select a nutritionist suited to their needs. We have made the most of this opportunity to update the listing by improving our database and website so that registrants can now also add LinkedIn and Twitter links and a 400 character profile.
The following specialist areas of competence are all of equal value:
· Animal
· Food
· Nutrition Science
· Public Health
· Sports & Exercise
A useful definition of each specialism is summarised overleaf. Full details are provided in the document Competency Requirements for Full Registration.