Dietetic technicians work under the supervision of dietitians. They work in hospitals, extended care facilities, community nutrition programs, jails, day cares, weight management offices, schools and a variety of other food service programs. In the hospital, they typically have a fair amount of patient contact. It is a very interesting job and can be very challenging. Dietetic technicians help people make the right choices for adequate nutritional needs. Patients have varying demands for nutrition. For instance, patients that have had gastric bypass surgery for weight loss will need severe dietary changes while maintaining adequate nutritional needs. At the other end of the spectrum you may also have a very undernourished patient that needs to increase their dietary intake to meet their metabolic demands. Both patients need the help of a dietitian and a dietetic technician. Performing nutrition screenings is just a portion of the job. Planning menus and nutritional counseling for groups of people is also a job requirement.
A fair amount of working time may also be spent in hot kitchens. There is also an increased risk for occupational injuries around hot equipment, sharp knives and boiling liquids. The job may include several hours of standing and lifting heavy of hot pans, bulk foods and kitchen supplies. Other dietetic technicians may work strictly in offices or out on the patient care areas speaking with patients, families and healthcare personnel. It is a very diverse job.
If you’re interested in nutrition and dietetics, then dietetic technician jobs may be the perfect career choice for you! Here’s how to begin plotting your destiny in this food science adventure:
- Educational Requirements. You must have graduated from high school or have a GED to be able to take classes to become a dietetic technician. Taking classes in nutrition, biology, chemistry, computer science and math will help you be successful in your college endeavors. Dietetic technician classes are offered online, at community colleges and universities. These are typically two year courses and an associate’s degree will be earned at graduation. Make sure the classes are accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Dietetics Education (CADE). This is part of the American Dietetic Association (ADA).
- Registration. Registration is very beneficial to obtain. The title is Dietetic Technician, Registered (DTR). It is granted after passing an exam given by the Commission on Dietetic Registration. To be eligible you must have been granted an associate’s degree as a dietetic technician that includes 450 hours of supervised practical experience (a CADE accredited class will provide this), or you may have a bachelor’s degree plus a CADE accredited didactic program. Registration is the certification process for a dietetic technician.
- Licensure. Not every state requires licensure as a dietetic technician. Some only require that the person is certified. Typically it is the state that enforces licensure. Individual work places may require certification or registration. Be sure to stay current on your state’s specific requirements.
- Job prospects. The outlook for dietetic technicians is expected to grow about 9%. This is due to an overall emphasis on wellness and healthy eating. Also, the aging population brings its own issues of nutrition risk. Job prospects in hospital settings are expected to remain flat, while jobs in extended care facilities, community wellness centers, and physician offices are expected to increase.
- Salary. The median salary is between $33,000 and $39,000. Salary ranges will vary with degree and experience.
Dietary technicians have a multi-faceted job. If you want to promote within the industry, you can return to school and become a dietician. The number of different places you can work in this career is truly amazing.