Dietitian Schools And Jobs

About Dietitians And Nutritionists

Dietitians and Nutritionists

Dietitians and nutritionists develop food and nutrition programs. They prepare menus, supervise food preparation and provide counseling. They prevent and treat illnesses by advocating for healthy eating and by providing people dietary modifications. Some dietitians oversee food service operations for schools and hospitals and other institutions. Numerous dietitians and nutritionists are involved in research.

Some sample job titles are clinical dietitian, registered dietitian, outpatient dietitian and pediatric clinical dietitian.

Numerous dietitians specialize in diabetic, renal, pediatric or cardiovascular dietetics. Some other specializations are:

Community dietitians instruct at-risk groups including diabetics, pregnant women and senior citizens about which types of food they should include in their diet and which foods they should avoid. Community dietitians typically work in home health agencies, health clinics and heath maintenance organizations. They assess the nutritional needs of individuals and create nutritional care plans and provide instructions to individuals and families.

Clinical dietitians plan menus and oversee the preparation of meals in hospitals, nursing homes and other institutions. They evaluate patients' nutritional needs and prepare and implement nutrition programs. They also evaluate and report the results of the programs.

Management dietitians direct large-scale meal planning and preparation in company cafeterias, healthcare facilities, schools and prisons.

Research dietitians are involved with nutrition research for commercial food companies.

Consulting dietitians test new food products and equipment, consult with food service managers, counsel clients and create recipes and menus for restaurants and companies. They also provide nutrition screening for clients and provide advice on subjects such as weight loss and cholesterol reduction.

Dietitians are commonly referred to as nutritionists, however registered dietitians typically have acquired more education and training than nutritionists.

Dietitians and Nutritionists Responsibilities

• Evaluate nutritional needs, current health plans and diet restrictions to create a dietary-care plan
• Provide counseling to groups and individuals about food nutrition and healthy eating habits
• Collaborate with doctors and healthcare personnel to determine diet restrictions and nutritional needs of patients
• Observe a food service operation to ensure conformance to nutritional, sanitation, safety and quality standards
• Develop special meals
• Purchase food items in accordance with safety and health codes
• Plan and oversee dietetics and nutrition programs
• Make recommendations about public policy including food fortification, nutrition labeling and nutrition standards for schools

Many dietitians work in clean, well-ventilated settings, however some dietitians work in hot, congested kitchens. Full-time dietitians and nutritionists usually work 40 hours a week.

The median annual earnings for dietitians and nutritionists in 2008 was $50,590. The highest paid 10 percent earned more than $73,410.

Employment Outlook

The Bureau of Labor Statistics has projected a 9 percent employment growth for dietitians and nutritionists from 2008 to 2018 which is about as fast as the average for all occupations. Demand for dietitians and nutritionists will increase due to the needs of an aging population and from an increasing emphasis on disease prevention via improve diets and also from an increasing emphasis on health education.

Individuals that have an advanced degree, specialized training or certification beyond a particular state's minimum requirements should have the best employment opportunities.

Experience dietitians have opportunities to advance into management positions such as associate director, assistant director or director of a dietetic department. A master's degree can be beneficial for individuals seeking to advance in their careers, especially in careers paths related to advanced clinical positions, research or public health.

Dietitians and Nutritionists Education, Certification, and Licensing

Dietitians and nutritionists typically need at least a bachelor's degree in dietetics, food service systems management, food and nutrition or in a related field. Graduate degree are also available. In addition, numerous educational programs have been approved by the American Dietetic Association's Commission on Accreditation for Dietetics Education.

Students typically take courses such as nutrition, institution management, foods, chemistry, biochemistry, microbiology, biology and physiology.

Most states have laws governing dietetics and many of these states require licensure. Some states require certification. States that require statutory certification limit the use of occupational titles to individuals that meet specific requirements. People working in these states that are not certified are allowed to practice as a dietitian or nutritionist but they cannot use certain titles. The specific requirements vary by state.

The Commission on Dietetic Registration of the American Dietetic Association provides the Registered Dietitian credential to individuals that complete academic coursework and an internship and pass an exam. This certification is not required and is not the same as the statutory certification regulated by some states.

Resources for Dietitians and Nutritionists

• The American Dietetic Association
• The Commission on Dietetic Registration

Major Employers of Dietitians and Nutritionists

The top employers are hospitals, outpatient care centers, nursing care facilities, the offices of doctor's and other health practitioners, assisted living facilities, home healthcare services and government agencies.

Schools for Dietitians And Nutritionists are listed in the column to the left.

The Top Cities tab shows employment statistics for Dietitians And Nutritionists by major metro area.

The Top Industries tab shows which industries have the most jobs for Dietitians And Nutritionists, along with salary data by industry.

The Find Schools tab lets you search for schools by field of study, degree level, and location.