What Is a Certified Dietary Manager?
It's estimated that in America, most states have populations with as much as 20 percent of people who meet the definition of obese. In addition, there are millions of people who are in need of specific diets, such as those who are in the hospital. Under these circumstances, it's more important than ever that meal design, preparation and safety be supervised adequately. Those who undertake this task are known as certified dietary managers, or CDMs.
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Description
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A certified dietary manager oversees which foods go on a menu for a facility. In addition, she supervises staff members who prepare foods on the menu. She is responsible for ensuring staff members have all of the equipment and ingredients necessary to meet the menu requirements.
Workplaces
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Certified dietary managers have several options in terms of work environment. They can work in hospitals, schools, the military, rehabilitation facilities or nursing homes, as well as other venues. However, the choice of facility affects how much money a certified dietary manager makes.
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Earnings
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Certified dietary managers who have been in the field longer than most or who have more supervisory experience make more than those who are just starting out and have not had many employees to manage. The range for a certified dietary manager is large, but even on the high side it's rare that it's above $50,000. In addition, those in rural areas don't make as much as those in urban areas.
Requirements
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As the name of the position implies, all certified dietary managers have to hold certification. The first step in obtaining this certification is to get adequate training. People who want to become certified dietary managers can get this training through specific training programs, university programs or on-the-job experience and training. Most programs require a minimum of 120 hours of classroom instruction and 150 hours of hands-on practice. Qualified individuals are required to register, take and pass the certification exam, after which they can apply for certified status.
Additional Considerations
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Certified dietary managers can't stop learning once they are certified. They have to keep up with standards by taking more courses, and the Dietary Managers Association requires that certified dietary managers pay an annual fee to verify professional commitment and to support the DMA.
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