Dietitians and Nutritionists
Dietitians and nutritionists plan and conduct food service or nutritional programs to assist in the promotion of health and control of disease. They may supervise activities of a department providing quantity food services, counsel individuals, or conduct nutritional research.
A dietician is responsible for analyzing patient data to determine patient needs or treatment goals, monitoring nutrition-related activities of individuals or groups, analyzing laboratory findings, providing health and wellness advice to patients programs or caregivers and interpreting cultural or religious information for others.
For a nutritionist career, one should be a graduate in either home science, medicine, science with chemistry or microbiology, hotel management or catering. After graduation, M.Sc in home science is recommended. How to get a job as a nutritionist? To be an established dietician, one should possess two years of experience as a full-time dietician in a multispeciality hospital and follow up with an internship certificate.
All dieticians work with food, but nutritionists have varied roles based on where they work. Some of the types of nutritionists are clinical, gerontology, public health, management, sports, animal, holistic, nutritional consultant, and community dieticians. A dieticians’ salary varies subject to experience, location and job designation.
A successful nutritionist career should possess specific skills of interest in the scientific aspects of food, an interest in working in a care-based setting, strong verbal and written communication skills, the ability to explain complex ideas simply and excellent interpersonal skills to develop relationships with patients.
Qualifications
Every career requires an element of study and academic qualification, and there can be several study routes and pathways you can take. In following any academic pathway you will study subjects that contribute to the specialised knowledge required to achieve your career goals. These qualifications provide a future employer with the evidence that you have the desired knowledge, understanding and experience of their industry, so it’s important to consider the various types of qualifications available to you and to understand how they can boost your career and create opportunities for you.
- M.A. Applied Nutrition
- M.Sc. Nutrition and Dietetics
- PG Diploma Nutrition
- B.A. Home Science
- B.Sc. Microbiology
Tasks
- Assess nutritional needs, diet restrictions and current health plans to develop and implement dietary-care plans and provide nutritional counseling.
- Consult with physicians and health care personnel to determine nutritional needs and diet restrictions of patient or client.
- Advise patients and their families on nutritional principles, dietary plans, diet modifications, and food selection and preparation.
- Counsel individuals and groups on basic rules of good nutrition, healthy eating habits, and nutrition monitoring to improve their quality of life.
- Monitor food service operations to ensure conformance to nutritional, safety, sanitation and quality standards.
- Coordinate recipe development and standardization and develop new menus for independent food service operations.
- Develop policies for food service or nutritional programs to assist in health promotion and disease control.
- Inspect meals served for conformance to prescribed diets and standards of palatability and appearance.
- Develop curriculum and prepare manuals, visual aids, course outlines, and other materials used in teaching.
- Prepare and administer budgets for food, equipment, and supplies.
Progression Routes
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