Becoming a Dietitian

Dietitians have specialist scientific knowledge of food and how it affects people's health and well-being. They work in hospitals and community, businesses, and in education and research organizations. They advise and educate people in all aspects of their diet and nutrition. The job demands knowledge of medicine, biochemistry, and the ability to communicate and get on well with people from many different backgrounds.

The job:

The importance with which people regard diet and nutrition has increased in recent years and research has shown how diet can affect both peoples' health and well-being. Conditions such as diabetes, kidney problems, and even some mental conditions can be controlled through diet. Other problems can be held as a result of allergy testing. Allergies leading to such problems as migraines and hay fever, once discovered, may be helped by diet. There are special diets recommended for certain groups, such as the elderly, children, or expectant mothers. There is also a growing awareness of how diet can be used in sports science to help professional sports athletes improve their performances.

The majority of dietitians are employed within the public health services, working in hospitals, where they are known as clinical or therapeutic dietitians. They work closely with patients, devising special diets for them. A dietitian needs good communication skills in order to be able to interpret the complexities of a particular diet and then convey this to the patient, and so help them maintain good health once they leave the hospital. This may involve explanations for friends and family, as well as advice on shopping and food preparation.

Dietitians work with medical staff in advising about the diet of patients unable to take food normally, such as those being fed via a tube or intravenously.

Dietitians monitor patients' progress by checking the results of blood and urine analysis and they work closely with other members of the hospital team.

A senior dietitian is usually in overall charge of the food served in the hospital and advises on the ordering and preparation of meals as well as training of food services staff.

Dietitians work in community medicine, advising the elderly, diabetics, expectant mothers, and patients referred by family doctors. They advise on shopping wisely and economically. Dietitians run classes and produce leaflets, videos, and other educational materials.

Dietitians may also work in research in hospitals or universities and published their results in the form of scientific papers. They also have opportunities for teaching and lecturing.

Dietitians may be employed by food or drug companies, supermarkets, slimming clubs, or restaurant chains. Their work may involve the development and manufacture of new food products. Dietitians could conduct research, get information on nutrition, and it ran an experimental kitchen to try out new recipes. They may require managerial skills if they are in charge of a team.

The work could also involve marketing, writing publicity material, recipes, and advising on promotional campaigns.

Experienced dietitians could work as consultants-a title that covers the whole range of the work of dietitians. They might compile specific projects or reports, or work in other areas such as journalism or broadcasting. They may become specialists in a particular area, such as sports nutrition or slimming.

Since the work can take place in a variety of settings, dietitians may work alone or as part of the team, and working hours may be flexible. Work in hospitals will have set hours, however, with an on-call rota for evenings and weekends.

Training involved:

A bachelor's degree in dietetics or nutrition is required. Other degrees, such as biochemistry, physiology, or food science, are accepted but further postgraduate training for up to two years is required.

Once qualified, a further year of supervised work experience is required before a dietitian can become registered.

Salary Expectations:

The base salary range of a Dietitian range from $47,822 to $71,637 annually, while the median salary for most Dietitians is $59,000 annually. (US Base Pay)

Future prospects:

There is a shortage of qualified dietitians, due largely to the increased recognition of the importance of diet and nutrition as factors in health and well-being. Although the majority of dietitians are employed in the public health service, there is a growing demand in the private sector. Private companies are recognizing the need for good nutritional advice, which is often used in the food industry as a marketing tool. Supermarkets may employ dietitians to develop and promote healthier foods.

There is a set promotion ladder within the health service, research, teaching, and lecturing with the possibility of promotion to senior posts. Consultancy work is often on a self-employed basis. Work in private industry may be more restricted, since dietitians are employed as the specialists, but there may be opportunities to move into management. Dietitians have a wider range of opportunities than ever before.

For further information, please contact professional organizations, institutes, or associations of dietitians, and university departments.