Dietitians are professionally trained and educated nutritionists who work in a variety of different settings. Though the career isn't as widely known about as some other health care professions, dietitians are important in the industry. They often function in the background, with tasks such as meal planning for hospitals and schools and educating hospital patients about proper nutrition.
Education and Training
In order to have the credential of registered dietitian, applicants must first meet the state requirements for education and training, according to the American Dietetic Association. These requirements include getting a minimum of a bachelor's degree in nutrition through a university approved by the American Dietetic Association, and completing an internship that involves training in clinical, food service and community settings. Finally, they must pass an examination administered by the Commission on Dietetic Registration.
Types of Dietitians
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there are several different types of dietitians: clinical dietitians, community nutrition dietitians, food service management dietitians and dietitians in the business setting. Clinical dietitians evaluate the nutritional status of hospital patients and educate them about how to improve their health through good nutrition. Community nutrition dietitians often work for government or nonprofit organizations, educating the public and influencing public policy. Food service management dietitians oversee the meal planning and preparation in institutions such as hospitals, schools and prisons. Some dietitians choose to run their own consulting business.
Job Functions
Job functions of a dietitian vary, depending on the setting. For instance, certain dietitians in hospitals are required to calculate the type of nutritional support and amount of the liquid nutritional supplement that patients with feeding tubes require. Dietitians who work in burn units of hospitals calculate how much extra protein the patient needs for her wounds to heal, and ensures that meals are altered accordingly. Dietitians who work in school systems usually design school lunches balancing specific nutritional requirements of children, food preferences of children and budgets.
Future Job Outlook
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the field of dietetics is becoming increasingly more important, and jobs for dietitians are in high demand. Employment opportunities for dietitians are expected to grow quickly through 2015. This is partly due to the growing obesity epidemic, the increased public interest in nutrition and the government's increased emphasis on disease prevention as a means to decrease health care costs.
Pay Rates
The American Dietetic Association reports that about half of all dietitians who have been working full time for five years or fewer make a yearly salary between $42,000 and $55,000 each year. In the field of dietetics, salaries generally increase along with increasing years of experience. Dietitians in management and business usually have higher salaries than those who work in clinical or community settings. Dietitians in management and private practice make significantly more money, according to the American Dietetic Association.
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