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Dietitians are experts in nutrition science. As a dietitian, you'll specialize in menu planning, supervision of food preparation, diet therapy, nutrition research, counseling and education. Dietitian Job Description Your typical duties as a dietitian will vary according to your area of specialization: - Clinical and management dietitians work in hospitals or nursing homes and are responsible for menu planning and overseeing the preparation of food.
- Community dietitians teach at-risk groups such as senior citizens, pregnant women and diabetics about which types of food to eat and which foods to avoid.
- Research dietitians study nutrition for commercial food companies.
- Consulting dietitians work in private practice and may counsel patients, test new food products and equipment, and develop new recipes and menus for restaurants and businesses.
 Dietitian Salary According to Salary.com, the middle 50% of dietitians earn between $45,058 and $55,583 per year. The median annual salary for dietitians is $49,980. PayScale.com lists the average salary for nutritionists as ranging between $27,707 and $45,338 per year. Dietitian vs. Nutritionist Dietitians are often referred to as "nutritionists," but registered dietitians have more education and training than nutritionists. Dietitians also have greater job responsibilities and earn higher salaries than nutritionists. Dietitian Work Environment As a dietitian, you might work in any of the following settings: - Hospitals
- Nursing care facilities
- Public health clinics
- Home health agencies
- Corporate cafeterias
- Food manufacturers
- Private practice
Most dietitians work a standard 40-hour week. Dietician Courses and Degree Options Dietitians must have a bachelor's degree from a program accredited by the American Dietetic Association (ADA). Some dietitians enter an ADA-accredited BA/MA program, which provides classroom and on-the-job training. Coursework generally includes the following: - Economics
- Statistics
- Bacteriology
- Physiology
- Home Economics
- Management Theory
- Business Administration
- Sociology
- Data Processing
Dietitian Certification Most states require licensure or certification. The Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) offers national certification and testing which earns dietitians the title Registered Dietitian (RD). |
Did You Know?- The US weight loss industry currently rakes in over $55 billion per year.
- It's estimated that junk food currently accounts for 25 to 30 percent of the average American diet.
Source: www.marketdataenterprises.com |
