Nasopharyngeal Swabbing Authorization for RDs

Minister of Health, Tyler Shandro, issued a Ministerial Order under the Health Professions Act to allow Registered Dietitians, Pharmacists, Dental Hygienists and Dental Assistants to perform nasopharyngeal swabbing for the purposes of COVID-19 testing:

“insert or remove instruments, devices, fingers, or hands beyond the point in the nasal passages where they normally narrow for the purposes of nasopharyngeal swabbing”.

Regulated members may contact the College office by email at execasst@collegeofdietitians.ab.ca to request the required forms for authorization to perform nasopharyngeal swabbing for the purposes of COVID-19 testing in Alberta. Regulated members must submit the “Notification and Supervision Consent Form” prior to beginning training, and submit the “Completion of Nasopharyngeal Swabbing Training Form” at the conclusion of training, in order to receive authorization by the College.