Dietician
Job overview
Dieticians practise the science of nutrition.
They strive to maintain people in good health and to prevent and control disease?
What do people do in this job?
Dieticians?'? work varies according to their specific field and the requirements of their employer including-
Dieticians are employed by health authorities to formulate nutrition policies, to plan the execution of official policy and to monitor the outcome.
Dieticians publicise information on how to maintain good health and prevent nutrition-related disease.
They play an important role in Primary Health Care by planning the nutritional education of a community and by training health workers and teachers to convey the information.
Monitoring the implementation of food distributing schemes is another duty of dieticians.
Dieticians employed by hospitals are important members of the medical team.
They see to it that patients and staff are provided with attractive and nutritious meals, and plan therapeutic diets prescribed by a physician for specific patients.
Hospital dieticians?' ?duties include food service management, therapeutic nutrition, training and research.
Dieticians must compile menus and orders, plan production and control the quality of food served to patients.
Hospital dieticians are responsible for the practical training of dietetic, food service management and food service supervision students.
Lectures on the importance of nutrition in regaining and maintaining health are given to students from related professions and to health workers.
In-service training of food production personnel is another duty.
Dieticians are involved in the planning and execution of research projects related to food, nutrition and the nutritional status of the population.
Dieticians are employed by the country?'?s central health authorities where intensive research is undertaken in connection with the possible relationship between food and disease.
Persons in possession of a B.Dietetic degree plus an additional teaching qualification can be appointed as teachers.
Lecturing at technical colleges, training colleges or universities is another possible career.
Journalism and public relations:
Dieticians can produce articles for newspapers, magazines or newsletters for companies or organisations.
They can disseminate nutritional information on radio or television.
Consulting dieticians work in their own private practices and are available to doctors, patients, hospitals, the public and private companies.
They use their expertise to consult on matters relating to therapeutic nutrition, food service management, community nutrition and training.
What kinds of people are suitable for this career?
Dieticians should possess leadership and managerial qualities, be calm, self-assertive and should have a sincere desire to assist people.
They should also have good communication skills in order to convince people of the necessity of change to a healthier life-style?
What qualifications are needed?
Today dieticians normally require a university degree in dietetics, plus a teaching qualification if they plan to take part in training schemes.
