Dietitian / Nutritionist Careers
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What a Dietitian / Nutritionist does:
A Dietitian is an Allied Health care professional, responsible for promoting health through eating healthily. A Dietitian can develop diets, supervise the preparation of food and participate in research.
A Nutritionist is an Allied Health care professional, responsible for preventing disease related to nutrient deficiencies. A Nutritionist will advise on nutrients in the diet in response to disease.
Dietitians and Nutritionists are grouped together for this article. This is because the duties of Dietitians and Nutritionists overlap, and are often carried out by the same person.
The main duties of a Dietitian/Nutritionist include:
- Planning food and nutrition programs
- Supervising meal preparations in schools and hospitals
- Preventing and treating illness
- Recommending dietary modifications
- Educating patients on diets that may help their condition
- Creating a reduced fat and sugar diet for an overweight patient
- Reducing salt from the diet of a patient with high blood pressure or cholesterol
- Working with other healthcare professionals to provide a multidisciplinary healthcare approach
Qualifications & Education:
To become a Dietitian or a Nutritionist you need to have a bachelor's degree in Dietetics, Food and Nutrition or a related area. Most states require licensure and some require certification and registration. You will need to check the Licensure, Certification, and Registration requirements in the state in which you wish to work.
Dietitian and Nutritionist degree programs cover subjects such as:
Nutrition, institution management, chemistry, biochemistry, biology, microbiology, physiology, health and communications.
The Commission on Dietetic Registration of the American Dietetic Association awards the Registered Dietitian (RD) credential. Registration can be gained by completing coursework, an internship and passing an examination. You must submit 75 continuing education credits every 5 years to maintain registration.
Salary & Job Prospects:
Salaries vary from $35,000 to $90,000 depending on qualifications, position held, experience and location. The job prospects are good and are expected to grow in line with the average job.
Below is a list of some of the various types of allied health careers / professions: