Related job titles are: Clinical Dietitian, Dietitian, Clinical Dietitians, Registered Dietitian, Correctional Food Service Supervisor, Dietary Manager, Nutritionist, Outpatient Dietitian, Pediatric Clinical Dietitians, or Registered Dietitians.
How Much Does a Dietitian and Nutritionist Make? | Dietitian and Nutritionist Salary
The median yearly salary for dietitians and nutritionists was $53,250 in May 2010 (the most recent data available). The median annual salary is the salary at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. Employees in the lower 10 percent had an annual salary less than $33,330, and those employees in the top 10 percent earned greater then $75,480.
What Does a Dietitian and Nutritionist Do? | Job Description
Dietitians and nutritionists are experts in food and nutrition. They advise people on what to eat in order to lead a healthy lifestyle or achieve a specific health-related goal.
Clinical dietitians provide medical nutrition therapy. They work in hospitals, long-term care facilities, and other institutions. They create both individualized and group nutritional programs based on the health needs of patients or residents. Clinical dietitians may further specialize, such as working only with patients with kidney diseases. They may work with other healthcare professionals.
Management dietitians plan meal programs. They work in food service settings such as cafeterias, hospitals, and food corporations. They may be responsible for buying food and for carrying out other business-related tasks. Management dietitians may oversee kitchen staff or other dietitians.
Community dietitians educate the public on topics related to food and nutrition. They often work with specific groups of people, such as pregnant women. They work in public health clinics, government and non-profit agencies, health maintenance organizations (HMOs), and other settings.
How to Become a Dietitian and Nutritionist?
Most dietitians and nutritionists have earned a bachelor’s degree and receive supervised training through an internship or as a part of their coursework. Also, many states require dietitians and nutritionists to be licensed. Most states have enacted state licensure or certification for dietitians or nutritionists or both. The requirements for state licensure and state certification include having a bachelor’s degree in food and nutrition or a related area, supervised practice, and passing an exam.
Dietitian and Nutritionist Classes and Courses | Degree Programs
Most dietitians and nutritionists have earned a bachelor's degree in dietetics, foods and nutrition, food service systems management, or a related area. Programs include courses in nutrition, physiology, chemistry, and biology. Dietitians and nutritionists typically participate in several hundred hours of supervised training, usually in the form of an internship following graduation from college. However, some programs in dietetics include this training as part of the coursework.
Dietitian and Nutritionist Jobs | Who is Hiring?
Employment of dietitians and nutritionists is expected to increase 20 percent from 2010 to 2020, faster than average for all occupations. In recent years, there has been increased interest in the role of food in promoting health and wellness, particularly as a part of preventative healthcare in medical settings. The importance of diet in preventing and treating illnesses such as diabetes and heart disease is now well known. More dietitians and nutritionists will be needed to provide care for people with these conditions.
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