We conducted a group work to examine the competency of administrative dietitians (AD) during a training session held by the Public Health Division, Japan Dietetic Association. Ninety-eight ADs from across the country were divided into 12 groups. Each group filled in the form to determine competency requirements according to years of experience as AD. Years of experience was grouped into three categories; management stage (15 years), mid-level (5 and 10 years), and incomers (3 years). Competency requirements also had three categories: 1) practical ability; 2) organizational role and ability to perform and 3) educational and research capability. We summarized to find out the results displayed characteristic tendencies in competency required according to the years of experience.
The ADs at the management stage are required to have the following credentials: policy management capabilities, personnel planning, budget management system, and the know-how of human resource development. The ADs at the mid-level of 10 years are expected to have abilities such as: collaboration with other institutions, analysis and information gathering of nutrition issues, budget and business management, and student guidance at clinical teaching. Mid-level ADs of 5 year-experience need understanding of regional characteristics, cooperation with relevant organizations, documentation utilizing data, and presentation skills. Incomers need to have: understanding of social resources of the region, selective collection of district data, understanding of roles of her/himself or of the organization, and understanding of the relationship between policy and tasks, and efforts to improve skills by research and training.
Based on the results, we concluded that it is necessary to examine ways to implement human resources development of administrative dietitians.

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