The nursing home must have sufficient support personnel capable of carrying out the functions of dietary services and must:
(1) Employ a qualified dietitian either full-time, part-time or on a consultant basis who must:
(a) Approve regular and therapeutic menus which meet the dietary allowances of the Food and Nutrition Board of the National Research Council, National Academy of Sciences;
(b) Prepare dated menus for general and modified diets at least three weeks in advance;
(c) Provide services which include:
(i) Nutrition assessment;
(ii) Liaison with medical and nursing staff, and administrator;
(iii) Inservice training; and
(iv) Guidance to the director of food service, and food service staff.
(2) If a qualified dietitian is not employed full-time as the food service manager the nursing home must employ a food service manager to serve as the director of food service.
(3) The food service manager means:
(a) An individual who is a qualified dietitian; or
(b) An individual:
(i) Who has completed a dietetic technician or dietetic assistant training program, correspondence or classroom, approved by the American Dietetic Association/Dietary Manager Association; and
(ii) Receives regularly scheduled consultation from a qualified dietitian.
[Statutory Authority: Chapters
18.51 and
74.42 RCW and 42 C.F.R. 489.52. WSR 08-20-062, § 388-97-1160, filed 9/24/08, effective 11/1/08.]