PSA Rubric



Pick one competency listed below to deliver at each Practical Skills Assessment (PSA). Once you’ve completed assessment with one competency, you’ll need to select a new competency to review for the next PSA. 

  1. Create a client-centered intervention (typically demonstrated in a follow up session)

Competency demonstrated: Develop a roadmap for intervention that speaks to the client’s chief complaint: Identify and prioritize key areas of nutrition to target, both short- and long-term strategies.

Some of the skills you MAY show in session to demonstrate this competency. You do not NEED to show every skill depending on the particular circumstances of your client session.  

  • Collaboratively discuss, target, and select interventions (short and/or long-term) which may include food, supplement, or lab interventions.

  • Demonstrate client centeredness (asking questions to determine if interventions are right for the client)

  • Get client agreement about specific goals

  • Differentiate between short term and long-term goals 

  • Make any needed adjustments to the plan based on client input

  • Effectively communicate complex nutritional information to clients, empowering them to make informed decisions about their dietary choices.

  • Adjust interventions as needed.

  • Appropriately select the number of interventions a client can manage until the next appointment.

2. Use evidence-based recommendations for therapeutic food and supplements. (typically demonstrated in an ongoing follow up appointment)

Competency demonstrated: Use of a range of appropriate, personalized interventions including therapeutic diets and foods, and targeted dietary supplements.

Some of the skills you MAY show in session to demonstrate this competency. You do not NEED to show every skill depending on the particular circumstances of your client session.  

  • Select nutrition and supplement interventions that are evidence-based, and that are targeted to the medical conditions/symptoms experienced by the client. 

  • Conduct comprehensive nutritional assessments to understand clients' current dietary habits, health conditions, and nutritional needs.

  • Demonstrate use of evidence-based research (published, peer-reviewed) in your client recommendations.

  • Interventions are chosen to acknowledge the client’s chief complaint, either the complaint that led them to seek care, or the complaint that requires the most attention today.

  • Address challenges and barriers that clients may face in implementing dietary changes, and work collaboratively to find practical solutions.

    3. Adjust your interventions to client needs and specific stage of intervention (typically demonstrated in a follow up appointment)

Competency demonstrated: Review readiness to proceed along the stages of the intervention.

Some of the skills you MAY show in session to demonstrate this competency. You do not NEED to show every skill depending on the particular circumstances of your client session.  

  • Ask questions targeted to the stage of change your client is experiencing about the particular intervention you’re working on.

  • Utilize behavior change techniques to support clients in adopting and maintaining healthier eating habits.

  • Together, with the client, assess barriers and resources to determine appropriate interventions at this time.

  • Discuss client options (example: could test now, could also treat empirically and test in 2-3 months if symptoms aren’t better) to ensure interventions match client’s current needs

  • Showcase sensitivity to the client’s stress level and state of mind (example: if the client comes to session having had a horrible week, acknowledge their distress and support them in finding ways to care for themselves in the moment)