Which of the following is NOT a role of the dietitian in skilled nursing facilities (SNF)?

• A. Assessing nutrition needs (Medical Nutrition Therapy).
• B. Participating in interdisciplinary care planning (IDT).
• C. Conducting medical rounds with physicians.
• D. Supervising food preparation, service and storage.

Answer: (C)

In skilled nursing facilities, the dietitian operates within a nutrition-focused, team-based role. They assess nutrition needs and provide medical nutrition therapy, work with the interdisciplinary care team to plan and adjust nutrition care as part of the care plan, and oversee aspects of the dietary service to ensure meals and dietary restrictions are implemented correctly and safely. Conducting medical rounds with physicians, however, is not a typical duty of the dietitian. Medical rounds are led by physicians (and sometimes other medical staff) to review patient status and make clinical decisions; the dietitian contributes nutrition input during rounds but does not conduct them as a primary function. So while nutrition assessment, participating in IDT planning, and supervising dietary service align with a dietitian’s SNF role, leading rounds with physicians does not.