WAC 388-97-1160. Dietary personnel

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.