• Dietician Job Description

    A dietitian is a person who is an expert in nutrition and dietetics. Dietitians guide clients and patients on their diets, with the purpose of helping them lead a healthy lifestyle and achieve a specific health-related goal. They help people manage conditions such as food allergies, diabetes and weight management.

    A dietician should be enthusiastic, curious, methodical, persistent, helpful and caring, and have the ability to think critically and solve problems. They should also be able to relate to a wide variety of people and communicate effectively.

    Pursue a career in dietetics if you have aptitude for science and interest in food and nutrition.
  • What does a Dietician do?

    Dieticians may do some or all of the following:

    • carryout research to find out the nutritional facts about foods
    • counsel, support and motivate clients and patients on good nutrition
    • consult with other healthcare professionals to plan special diets for patients
    • plan menus for clients and patients
    • help develop and analyze food recipes
    • test new food products and supervise activities of food companies
    • work with sport teams to determine nutritional needs or diet restrictions for their athletes
    • write reports and make presentations on food or nutritional matters
    • market food and nutritional products
  • Where does a Dietician work?
  • Working Conditions

    Dieticians usually work normal office hours, but may also work evenings and weekends. They work in offices, hospitals, outpatient clinics, community health centers, cafeterias, and private practices.

  • What is Required to Become a Dietician?

    To become a dietitian, you will need to have a bachelor’s degree in nutrition and dietetics, clinical nutrition, food science and nutrition or a similar discipline.

  • Modules

    Just to give you an idea, some of the classes that you’ll be taking in college may include:

    • Chemistry
    • Basic statistics
    • Food science
    • Food management theory
    • Food production and management
    • Nutrition and health
    • Food microbiology
    • Nutritional biochemistry
    • Human physiology
  • Specializations

    A dietician may specialize to become any of the following:

    • Consultant Dietitian
    • Research Dietitian and Nutritionist
    • Clinic Dietitian and Nutritionist
    • Therapeutic Dietitian
    • Industrial nutritionist
    • Public Health Nutritionist
    • Nutrition educator
  • Knowledge, Skills and Attributes

    Dieticians need to have:

    • patience
    • adaptability
    • creativity
    • persistence
    • self discipline
    • courteousness and tactfulness
    • integrity and reliability
    • confidence and assertiveness
    • manual and finger dexterity
    • good attention to detail
    • good interpersonal skills
    • good listening and communication skills
    • good judgment and decision making skills
    • analytical and problem solving skills
    • record keeping and organizational skills
    • counseling and teaching skills
    • the ability to follow nutritional practices
    • the ability to keep up with the latest development in the field
    • the ability to work well with others as well as independently
    • knowledge of biochemistry
    • knowledge of human physiology
    • knowledge of food preparation techniques
    • knowledge of food and nutrition
    • knowledge of eating disorders
    • knowledge of nutrition research techniques
    • knowledge of food service quality and safety procedures
    • knowledge of medical terminology

References

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