About Nutrition & Dietetics

Summary

Dietetics is a broad field that provides a lot of different areas of practice. There are clinical dietitians, community dietitians, management dietitians, consultant dietitians and dietitians who may specialize in an area of advanced practice.

Clinical Dietitians

Clinical Dietitians assess a patient’s nutritional needs, develop and implement nutrition therapy programs, and work with physicians and other members of the patient care team to coordinate medical and nutritional needs. Clinical dietitians are most often found in community hospitals, acute care hospitals, outpatient clinics and extended care and rehabilitation facilities. Clinical dietitians, interested in care of the critically ill, pediatrics nutrition, diabetics and chronic kidney diseases, all areas of advanced practice, may earn a master’s degree and/or work toward a certification in a specific area of practice such as a Certified Diabetes Educator or Certified Nutrition Support Dietitian.

Community Dietitians

Community Dietitians counsel individuals and groups on nutrition practices designed to prevent disease and promote health. They work in schools, public health clinics, home health agencies, health maintenance organizations and the food industry. Community dietitians evaluate individual needs, help clients develop improved nutrition plans and work with clients and their families. They may provide instruction on grocery shopping and food preparation for individuals with special needs, such as the aged and children. They may analyze foods, prepare literature for distribution, develop recipes, report on issues such as dietary fiber, vitamin supplements and herbal formulas.

Management Dietitians

Management Dietitians manage large scale food production, including menu planning, purchasing and preparation of foods for health care facilities such as hospitals, nursing home, company cafeterias, prisons, and schools. They hire, train and direct other dietitians and food service workers; budget for and purchase food, equipment and supplies and prepare records and reports required.

Consultant Dietitians

Consultant Dietitians work in their own private practice or under contract for health care facilities, physician practices or clinics, or food companies. They may provide nutrition screenings for their clients and offer advice on diet-related concerns, such as weight loss and other health-related issues. They may work for wellness programs, sports teams, supermarkets, and other nutrition-related businesses. They may also consult with extended care facilities and small hospitals where they provide expertise in sanitation, safety procedures, menu development, budgeting, planning and clinical care for special populations, such as the aged or developmentally delayed.

How Much Are Dietitians Paid?

According to the American Dietetic Association’s 2007 Dietetics Compensation and Benefits Survey, half of all registered dietitians working in the field for four years or less earn between $42,000 and $55,000 per year. Individual salaries vary depending on the area of practice and location in the US.

Salaries increase with years of experience. Many registered dietitians, particularly those with master’s degrees or those working in management, business and consulting, earn incomes ranging from $60,000 to $92,000 per year.

Job Outlook

According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment for dietitians is expected to grow about 9% (as fast as average) overall through the year 2016. The need for dietitians is expected to grow in response to an aging population and the increased incidence of diseases like diabetes.

Employment in hospitals is expected to increase approximately 7 to 13% with faster growth (14 to 20%) with contract providers of food service, outpatient care services, physician offices and clinics.