According to Lippencott's Nursing Cener.com, Medicare stipulates that Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT) should include nutrition diagnosing. The Nutrition Care Process Model from the American Dietetic Association (ADA) stipulates that nutrition care coding should be part of nutrition care. Individuals with a doctorate in clinical nutrition acquire skills in nutrition order writing for patients, as well as skills in monitoring insulin levels in diabetics. This degree teaches graduates to analyze nutrition databases and how to use nutrition diagnostic codes.
Graduates with a doctorate in clinical nutrition will acquire clinical management competencies of managing and forecasting staffing needs of dietitians, developing practice requirements within the profession and setting institutional standards.
Graduates will have competencies related to research in both industry and education. The graduate also gains the ability to assimilate scientific and nutrition concepts into new applications and discoveries, and the ability to design and clearly communicate scientific findings. Graduates are able to publish scientifically sound research on evidence-based dietetics practice. Research based on actual practice helps improve the quality of care, and the DCN degree equips graduates with proficiency in clinical-based research methodologies.
Graduates from The School of Health Related Professions at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey complete a clinical practice residency based on interests and goals. This provides the graduate with practical experience as an advanced dietetics practitioner for communities or clinical populations, with an emphasis on assessment and diagnosis of clinical nutrition plans and evidence-based practice guidelines.