- What is a Dietitian?
- What do Dietitian do?
- Salaries in General
- Nutritionist VS Registered Dietitian
- Licensed Dietitian
- How do I become a RD or LD?
Careers in Dietetics
 |
Dietitians promote sound nutrition through education, help prevent and treat illnesses by promoting healthy eating habits, scientifically evaluate clients' diets, and conduct research. The letters "RD" after a person's name signifies that he/she has completed all requirements established by the Commission on Dietetic Registration (the credentialing agency for The American Dietetic Association. These requirements include: |
-
Minimum of baccalaureate degree from a US regionally accredited university or college and course work from a Commission on Accreditation for Dietetics Education (CADE)-accredited program in human nutrition, foods and nutrition, dietetics, food systems management, nutrition education, or equivalent;
- Coursework includes a variety of subjects ranging from food and nutrition sciences, foodservice systems management, business, computer science, accounting, culinary arts, sociology, ethics, and communication to science courses such as biochemistry, physiology, microbiology,
- 900 hours from a CADE-accredited supervised practice program at a hospital or medical center, or combined with an undergraduate or graduate studies. Most supervised practice programs are 6-12 months in length. Some may be longer;
- Successful completion of a national examination for dietitians administered by the Commission on Dietetic Registration; and
- Ongoing continuing professional development after obtaining the RD credential.
The RD credential sets dietitians apart from all others. Because of their extensive education and experience, dietitians are nutrition professionals who are most qualified to help individuals meet their nutritional needs.
Please note that this career requires a total commitment of five (or
six) years of education.
What Do Dietitians Do?
Registered
dietitians (RDs) work in a variety of employment settings including health
care, business and industry, public health, education, research, and private
practice. Many of these professional environments, particularly those
in medical and health care settings, require than an individual who will
be giving nutrition information be credentialed and licensed as an RD.
Employment that is career-oriented, specialized, and administrative generally
commands a higher salary ($45,000 - $100,000) and is not entry-level.
Here are but a few of the areas where dietitians work.
Public Health/Community
Nutrition
Public health RDs counsel and advise members of the public to improve
their quality of life through healthy lifestyles, including healthful
eating habits. A sample of specific career examples include:
- WIC (Women, Infants, & Children): nutrition assessment, health status and growth, counseling, problem solving, writing, communication, and education.
- Cooperative Extension: every state has a program established to design educational opportunities for people to promote healthy eating and lifestyles
- Community Services Director: administers home delivered meals and congregate meal programs, transportation, and volunteer services for the elderly, and managerial work
Median salary for RDs working in this area is $38,000 . Jobs are available without the RD, but salaries are lower. Use the following links to learn more about this area of dietetic practice:
Public Health/Community Nutrition Practice Group
Food and Nutrition-Related
Businesses
Business RDs work in communications, consumer affairs, public relations,
marketing or product development for many food industries including major
food manufacturers. Job responsibilities may include analysis of nutrition
content of foods for labeling purposes or marketing efforts, preparing
literature for distribution to customers, and writing articles for the
news media. Many entrepreneurial dietitians have developed a product,
product line, or a service themselves, and built a company to market and
sell the products or services. A sample of specific career examples include:
- Contract companies: such as ARAMARK, Sodexho, or Morrison include healthcare support services and work with foodservice in kitchens to develop health meal options
- Recipes/Catering: develop food products and provide services
- Restaurants and Food Distribution: interprets nutrition and food science, flans menus, analyzes recipes and menus, sales, marketing, and quality control
- Sales:
works with product marketing and advertising; often involves travel
Salaries will vary greatly. Use the following links to learn more about these areas of dietetic practice:Dietitians in Business and Communications Practice Group
Private Practice
| Some RDs own their own business or work under contract with health care or food companies. They may provide services to foodservice or restaurant managers, food vendors and distributors, or athletes, nursing home residents, or company employees. Use the following links to learn more about these areas of dietetic practice: |  |
Consultant Dietitians in Health Care Facilities Practice Group
Gerontological Nutritionists Practice Group
There is potential to earn a large income (top median salary = $49,000), but dietitians going into this area of dietetics need to be able to accept risk. Consultants can have flexible hours, and can choose to work part-time from home.
Hospitals, Clinics,
and Health Care Facilities
Some RDs work in health care settings educating patients about nutrition,
assess patients; nutritional needs, develop and implement nutrition programs,
and evaluate and report results. Many clinical dietitians specialize in
one area of practice such as diabetes, pediatrics, heart disease, the
critically ill, and kidney disease. Some clinical dietitians have administrative
and management responsibilities. They may also manage the facility's foodservice
operations, overseeing everything from food purchasing, preparation, and
managing staff. Use the following links to learn more about these areas
of dietetic practice:
Consultant Dietitians in Health Care Facilities Practice Group
Clinical Nutrition Management Practice GroupDiabetes Care and Education Practice Group
Dietitians in Developmental and Psychiatric Disorders Practice Group
Dietitians in Nutrition Support Practice Group
Gerontological Nutritionists Practice Group
HIV/AIDS Dietetic Practice Group
Oncology Nutrition Practice Group
Pediatric Nutrition Practice Group
Renal Dietitians Practice Group
Entry-level jobs available with and without RD. Median income with experience is $38,0002. As you can se, many areas of specialization are available.
Sports Nutrition and
Corporate Wellness Programs
 |
As more and more people recognize the relationship between nutrition, fitness, and health. Corporations understand they can significantly decrease health insurance costs and employee sick days by encouraging healthy behaviors. RDs can offer their unique expertise to educate clients or employees about this important relationship between food, fitness and health. To maximize both performance and health, many professional and amateur athletes work with RDs. Use the following links to learn more about these areas of dietetic practice: |
Sports, Cardiovascular and Wellness Nutritionists (SCAN) Practice Group
Dietetics in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Practice Group
Universities
and Medical Centers
RDs teach future dietitians, dietetic technicians, physicians, nurses,
dentists, chefs, and others about the sophisticated science of foods and
nutrition. They are employed by universities, four-year colleges, community
colleges, technical schools, and dietetic internship programs. Some dietitians
employed in this area work in wellness promotion activities such as smoking
cessation programs, weight control, stress management, and fitness and
exercise programs. Use the following links to learn more about these areas
of dietetic practice:
Dietetic Educators of Practitioners Practice Group
Research
RDs conduct or direct research for government agencies, food companies,
pharmaceutical companies, universities, and hospitals to help improve
the health and lifestyles of all Americans. Using the scientific method
and analytical techniques, these dietitians conduct studies that range
from basic to applied science. Whether it is looking for an answer to
critical nutrition questions and find alternative foods or nutrition recommendations
for the public, RDÒs are frequently part of the research teams
working on such important programs. A sample of specific career examples
include the Food and Drug Administration and the United States Department
of Agriculture. Use the following links to learn more about these areas
of dietetic practice:
For this area of dietetics, the RD is not as important as a Masters Degree (MS) or doctoral degree (PhD). Median salaries for research dietitians with experience are reported as $47,000.
Schools, Day-Care Centers,
and Correctional Facilities
Dietitians working in these settings use their skills to manage foodservice
operations, oversee food purchasing and preparation, and manage staff.
RDs in school food service plan health school menus, monitor cafeteria
equipment and meal preparation and conduct nutrition education. Food Service
Specialists coordinate demonstrations, workshops, and seminars; oversee
recipe and kitchen development, and management. Reported median salary
is $48,000. Use the following links to learn more about these areas of
dietetic practice:
Salaries in General
The highest salaries are the career employments and these often require
more education and/or specialization. For example, if you are going to
always live in one location, and that location is limited in upward mobility
employment for RDs you may receive yearly adjustments, but generally your
salary will see slow growth. If you are mobile and can move into different
aspects of the dietetics profession, your salary will grow with you. Employment
that is career-oriented, specialized, and administrative generally commands
a higher salary ($45,000 - $100,000) and is not entry-level.
Start with a degree in dietetics, and then use
skills for a degree in related profession
- Business (MBA)
- Chiropractor (DC)
- Dentist (DDS)
- Law (JD)
- Naturopathic Doctor (ND)
- Occupational Therapist (OT)
- Physical Therapist (PT)
- Physician (MD or DO)
- Physician Assistant (PA-C)
- Pharmacist (RPh or PharmD)
- Podiatrist (DP)
- Veterinarian (DVM)
- Plus many more…….
What is the Difference Between
a "Nutritionist" and a Registered Dietitian?
When you hear the term "nutritionist", you must ask more information
to verify qualifications of the person using this title. Unlike the credential
RD, there is no national standard and credential associated. This means
anyone can legitimately call him or herself by this title with or without
and educational preparation in foods and nutrition. The term nutritionist
could be appropriately used if the person were educated in nutrition.
For example, an RD is also a nutritionist, as well as university professors
and researchers in foods and nutrition. Sometimes the title is actually
used for employment titles for RDs in some settings (e.g., public health,
clinical specialties, and in state and federal government). However, since
the term is not regulated or credentialed, it is also often used by people
without any training who may actually do harm by giving inappropriate
advice. Therefore, when you hear the term "nutritionist" you
need to request more information about the person's qualifications before
you can feel secure with the advice you are getting.
What is a Licensed Dietitian
or a Certified Dietitian?
Licensure is a state-mandated requirement for selected professionals.
States vary as to which professionals they require to be licensed. For
example, a pharmacist, physician, nurse, lawyer must have a state license
to practice their professions. Licensure generally specifies the kinds
of services the bearer of the license can give, thus protecting the public
from receiving those services by a person that is not qualified (or licensed).
Certification is a state credential that recognizes, or certifies, the
professional to practice dietetics. Currently about half of the states
have licensure and/or certification for dietitians. You may see a dietitian
use the initials L.D. or C.D. after their RD to indicate this status. In
Illinois, dietitians are licensed. Individuals without the RD credential
may become Licensed Dietitians
with proof of education, supervised practice, and successful completion
of a state licensing exam.
How
Do I Become a Registered Dietitian®
or Licensed Dietitian?
| Qualifications |
Registered
Dietitian
|
Licensed
Dietitian
|
| Baccalaureate
degree or post baccalaureate degree in human nutrition, foods
and nutrition, dietetics, food systems management, nutrition education,
or equivalent from an accredited university 900 hours of supervised practice |
from
a CADE- accredited dietetic internship
|
from
RD, L.D.; or CADE- accredited dietetic internship
|
| Successful completion of examination |
administered
by the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR)
|
may
be or may include the CDR examination
|
| Continuing education |
45
continuing education credits every 5 years
|
15
continuing education credits per year
|
[Updated 8/17/06]
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