International & American Associations of Clinical Nutritionists (IAACN)

Overview:

Profession(s): Nutrition
Scope: International
Formed: 1983
Address: 15280 Addison Road, Suite 130, Addison, TX, 75001, USA
Phone: 972-407-9089
Fax: 972-250-0233
Email: khenry@clinicalnutrition.com
Website: www.iaacn.org

Description:

The IAACN is a professional association of practicing clinical nutritionists in many health care professions who strive to attain the highest standards of competency and practice.

The IAACN was founded in 1983 as a Florida State organization. However, the founders soon became aware of the need for national and international professional standards, and for regulation and protection beyond the state level.

Mission/Aims:

Competency & Training:
One of the primary tasks of the IAACN is the assurance of competency and skills of its professional members. This function is addressed through uniform and rigorous standards, and through mandatory continuing education programs. Oversight is by the IAACN Continuing Education Standing Committee. Examination training, examination and certification is the responsibility of the CNCB, which is composed of experts in the field of clinical nutrition and preventive medicine. CNCB is a member of and strives to maintain the standards set by the National Organization for Competency Assurance (NOCA) in Washington, D.C.

Ethics & Responsibility:
Through the establishment of a uniform Code of Ethics, members must exemplify and maintain a high level of personal and professional ethics. The Code requires members to maintain honesty, integrity, and fairness in dealing with clients, fellow professionals, and the general public. It further encourages community service, and social responsibility to the profession.

Legislative Responsibility:
The IAACN seeks to protect and uphold the public freedom of health care choice and the rights to choose nutritional alternatives. The field of nutrition economically impacts substantial industries, many of which have lobbied for restrictive legislation denying public access to clinical nutritionists. IAACN monitors these activities and informs members how to effectively counteract such legislative efforts through coordinated action.

Principal Activities:

Today IAACN is a flourishing organization with goals that address the needs of professional clinical nutritionists and the public that is served. This includes a commitment to:

A Code of Ethics - promulgating a Code of Professional Ethics by which members must abide.

Certification - participation in the Certified Clinical Nutritionists (CCN) Examination under the sponsorship of the Clinical Nutrition Certification Board (CNCB). The CCN Examination has become a national standard for clinical nutritionists who meet high requirements of professional competency.

Legislation - monitoring legislation that impacts the field of nutrition and promoting the most effective coordinated legislative action.

Public Education - supporting and producing public education programs on nutrition.

Professional Education - as an organizational member of the prestigious International Associations for Continuing Education and Training, that provides continuing education courses to update practitioners on the latest technical research and assessment techniques.

Member Forums - organizing IAACN conferences for the purpose of growth, networking, and idea exchange.

Member Benefits:

Advocacy - Advocacy of public policy, insurance reimbursement, legal and legislative action at state and national levels. Monitoring legislation that impacts the field of nutrition and promoting the most effective coordinated legislative action. Representation of the CCN credential when and if challenged.

Certification And Five-Year Recertification - Clinical Nutritionist Competency training and national examination provided by the CNCB designed to meet the highest professional standards and the requirements of legislation and/or insurance boards. Identification and membership with the profession of clinical nutrition including its scope of practice and mission.

Certifications - IV-IM Order Writing Certification

Client Education - Informative materials on nutritional care and preventive health care services.

Client Referral Service/Speaker File - A national/international network of practitioners and services.

Conferences - Symposiums, Seminars, workshops and meetings on national and state levels. Multi-disciplinary networking opportunities.

Continuing Education - Quality continuing education symposiums taught by world-class faculty to maintain competency in the field.

IAACN Autograph Society - Access to authors, editors and journalists who write in the clinical nutrition field. Promotion of books and authors at symposiums.

IAACN Affiliate Chapters - Opportunity to know and network with your peers to create a strong presence in the area with other professionals and consumers, representation and delegate voting privilege at the IAACN Annual Business Meeting.

Insurance - Professional liability and supplemental coverage, health protection

Laboratory Services - Independent Access to Laboratory Testing for CCNs without medical access.

Networking - E-mail/ List Serve option for members to network, share research, protocol ideas, and all the latest that clinical nutrition has to offer.

Professional Publications - Journal of Applied Nutrition (bi-annual)- 57 year old peer-reviewed scientific research journal. IAACN Insight Newsletter (quarterly) - the latest news and information impacting members of the profession. IAACN Chapter Procedures Manual (Chapter formation and administration) Documents: Bylaws, C.E. Manual; Professional Practice Guidelines; Grooming Guidelines for the Nutrition Office and Legislative Protocol, IAACN Chapter Procedures Manual, Office Display Brochures and cards

Public Relations - Networking between the health care professions to establish and strengthen clinical nutrition expertise, and promote public awareness. Opportunity for service to others.

Research - Complimentary access to an electronic weekly research subscription service providing numerous abstracts of the latest research in clinical nutrition.

Specialized Training In Products - Access to Annual Exhibit Hall where the newest and the best in the field exhibit. CCNs are invited to attend advanced training for professionals only.

State License - State by state ongoing program providing education and literature to support clinical nutritionist licensing

Voting - IAACN members have a voice and representation in the future direction of IAACN. Every election year, all members in good standing vote for the IAACN officers of the Executive Committee.

Internet - Career Search Job Site/ IAACN List Serve /Weekly E-Newsletter/Supplements, Rx Drug, OTC, and Natural Medicine

Training/Licensing/Certification:

One of the primary tasks of the IAACN is the assurance of competency and skills of its professional members. This function is addressed through uniform and rigorous standards, and through mandatory continuing education programs. Oversight is by the IAACN Continuing Education Standing Committee. Examination training, examination and certification is the responsibility of the CNCB, which is composed of experts in the field of clinical nutrition and preventive medicine. CNCB is a member of and strives to maintain the standards set by the National Organization for Competency Assurance (NOCA) in Washington, D.C.

Affiliations:

Partner Associations:
Clinical Nutrition Certification Board (CNCB)