Dietician Job Requirements
Dieticians develop meal plans for patients on an individual basis or for large groups in hospitals and other institutions. A dietician promotes healthy eating for the prevention of illness and for the management of conditions such as diabetes. The average salary for a dietician was $74,000 as of October 2010, according to Indeed.com.
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Education
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To qualify for a position as a dietician, you should have a minimum of a bachelor's degree in nutrition or food dietetics. Master's degree programs are available for dieticians as well. Some of the courses in a dietician degree program include nutrition, food, biochemistry, biology, chemistry and physiology. Students may also take courses in business management, psychology and sociology to prepare for a career as a dietician.
Licensing and Certification
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Thirty-three states require licensing for individuals to work as dieticians, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The specific requirements for a license vary by state. Another 12 states require statutory certification to practice as a dietician. These states may allow individuals without certification to practice as dieticians, provided they do not use the title, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
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Experience
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In some states, a dietician must complete an internship in the field in order to gain licensure to practice. An internship is usually required for certification as a dietician as well. Internships require candidates to practice in the field under the supervision of a certified dietician and may take several years to complete.
Examination
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Some states that license dieticians require candidates to meet eligibility requirements before sitting for a national examination. Qualification usually requires a minimum of a bachelor's degree in nutrition or related field. The Commission on Dietetic Registration administers the examination for the American Dietetic Association. The examination consists of questions on subjects such as food and nutrition, counseling, nutrition diagnosis and business management.
Skills
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A dietician must be skilled in assessing needs and communicating nutrition information to clients. Written communication skills are necessary for dieticians in the food industry who prepare nutrition literature for the public. Management skills are needed for those working in large institutions to direct the activities of food preparation staff. The dietician must have skills in preparing budgets and reports, purchasing food and enforcing safety and sanitation regulations in the food preparation area.
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References
- Photo Credit healthy food image by rlat from Fotolia.com
