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OLD Dietetics
November 23, 2009

Career Opportunities in Dietetics

The Department of Labor predicts that the employment of Registered Dietitians (RD) will grow faster than the average for all occupations through the 1990’ and beyond. Dietitians play important roles in Health Care and the Food Industry.

Registered Dietitian:

RDs are employed in hospital health care facilities, government and community agencies, pharmaceutical companies, food industries, schools, universities, fitness corporations, and news media. The demand for dietitians continue to be high. RDs are considered experts in foods and nutrition.

Administrative Dietitian:

Administers food service systems; employee training programs; and budgets for health-care facilities, school food service program, cafeterias, and restaurants.

Clinical Dietitian:

Provides nutrition services in health-care settings as part of a medical team in hospitals, out-patient clinics, and private practice. Clinical dietitians work with individual patients, helping them to better health through special diets.

Community Dietitian:

Counsels individuals and families in food selection and disease prevention through public health agencies, day care centers, and health and recreation clubs.

Business Dietitian:

Represents pharmaceutical and food companies in sales and trade shows, develops food products.

Educator Dietitian:

Teaches nutrition and food systems management in the college and university setting.

Consultant Dietitian:

Practices independently, speaking at seminars, advising industry, consulting for nursing homes, counseling private patients.


SALARY EXPECTATIONS:

New graduates in the Rio Grande Valley: Range: $41,000 - $46,000
In larger metropolitan areas, salaries are higher: Higher salary with experience

EDUCATION REQUIRED:

Four years of college, including, or in addition to 900 hours of directed experiences. Curriculum in Dietetics at The University of Texas-Pan American includes studies in the following areas:

  • Humanities
  • Science & Mathematics
  • Social Sciences: Computer Literacy
  • Kinesiology
  • Principles of Management
  • Medical Terminology
  • Food Preparation & Quantity Food Productions
  • Food Systems Managements & Design: Normal, Clinical, & Community Nutrition
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