The main job responsibility of dietitians is to plan food and nutrition programs. They supervise the meal preparations and also look after the serving of meals. Dietitians prevent diseases by encouraging healthy eating habits and making dietary modifications. The dietitians look after the food service systems in institutions such as hospitals and schools. They also encourage and create awareness about sound eating habits through education and research. Many dietitians opt for specialized courses in order to become a community dietitian, clinical dietitian, management dietitian, or diet consultant.
Dietitians Schools and Degrees
To become a dietitian, a candidate needs to possess at least a bachelors degree in a subject such as dietetics, food service systems management, or any related area. Many colleges and universities offer bachelors degree programs in dietetics. The certification, licensor, or registration requirements may vary from one State to the other. The Commission on Dietetic Registration of the American Dietetic Association grants the Registered Dietitian credential to candidates who clear an exam after completing an academic coursework or a supervised internship. The internship programs may last for 6 to 12 months (full-time) or for 2 years (part time).
Job Requirements
The candidates aspiring to become dietitians need a bachelors degree in dietetics or related subject. Some employers may give preference to candidates with a masters degree or a specialized degree. There are also organizations which recruit graduates with relevant industry experience.
Experience in the field may be an added advantage for the dietitians. This can help them advance to higher management positions, like associate director, assistant director, or director of a dietetic department. Dietitians may even opt to start their own businesses. There are some dietitians who specialize in areas like diabetic, renal, cardiovascular, or pediatric dietetics. Dietitians can successfully advance in their career if they have a masters degree in areas related to research, advanced clinical positions, or public health.
Apart from good educational qualifications and work experience, the dietitians should also have the required skill and personality required for the job. Since they need to deal with a lot of people during their work, good communication skills are a must. They must also have a pleasing personality and good management skills.
Nature of Work
Dietitians may either be self-employed or work in a private or public organization. Many dietitians specialize in a particular area and aspire to become a community dietitian, clinical dietitian, management dietitian, or consultant. They may work independently or in a team.
Dietitians usually work in well lit, clean, and well ventilated areas. However, some may have to work in hot and congested kitchens. Some of the dietitians may have to stand on their feet and work for a major part of the day. Most of the full-time dietitians work on a regular 40-hours per week basis. However, occasionally they may have to work on the weekends too.
Dietitians Jobs and Outlook
As per the data of 2007, dietitians held about 57,000 jobs in the United States. The job market of dietitians is expected to grow by 9% in the next ten years. The industries that provide the highest levels of employment to the dietitians include:
General Medical and Surgical Hospitals
Local Government
Nursing Care Facilities
Outpatient Care Centers
Special Food Services
The average annual earnings of dietitians in the United States is approximately $46,980.
Job Numbers and Growth
About 57,000 dietitians are employed nationally. Workers can expect a very low level of unemployment, if history can be used as a guide. In 2008, 2% of employees could not find jobs.
Area Job Conditions
Popular locations for dietitians include Shreveport (Louisiana), Mount Vernon (Washington), and Lima (Ohio). Fewer are found in Cape Coral (Florida), Bethesda (Maryland), and Santa Ana (California).
Workers looking for high salaries should look at San Jose (California), Bethesda (Maryland), and Oakland (California), and should avoid Las Cruces (New Mexico), Colorado Springs (Colorado), and Shreveport (Louisiana).
Training and Education
Employees often obtain a bachelor's degree before starting. The percentage of dietitians with college degrees is 72%. Workers with some college (less than a bachelor's degree) represent about 14% of the total. Some employees, about 15%, had a high-school education. Recommended schools are shown in the column to the right; request information from them to help you decide which if any could help you with this career.
Part-Time Work and Self-Employment
Part-time dietitians are 27% of all surveyed. Some workers, about 8%, work for themselves.
Dietitians by Metropolitan Area (city and its surroundings)
In the table below, a Job Density near 0% means the area has an average number of people in this occupation, for its population. A higher or lower Job Density (e.g., +22% or -45%) tells you there are that many more or fewer workers of that type there than in the average US metro area. So, the higher the number, the more common the occupation.
Schools recommended for people interested in this career. Request info with quick online forms. These particular schools are noted for getting back to people fast.
Schools recommended for people interested in this career. Request info with quick online forms. These particular schools are noted for getting back to people fast.