Nutritionist
What is the work like?
Nutritionists advise and educate people about the effects of food and nutrition on health.
As a nutritionist in the NHS, you would work closely with dietitians and other health professionals as part of a hospital or community-based dietetic and nutrition team. Your work could include:
- developing projects to improve nutrition in the community
- raising awareness about the benefits of healthy eating
- overcoming people’s barriers to changing their lifestyle
- working with particular groups such as young mothers or low-income families
- helping people improve their food shopping, cooking and budgeting skills
- giving talks and holding drop-in sessions
- working to make healthy food such as fruit and vegetables more easily available
- gathering statistics and judging the success of projects.
You would not give clinical dietary advice to individual patients – this would be done by a state-registered dietitian. You would mainly work with groups of people to promote healthy lifestyles.
Common job titles include community nutritionist, public health nutritionist and Food for Health Adviser.
You could also work as a nutritionist in the food industry (for example in product development), education and the media.
What qualifications and experience will employers look for?
To become a nutritionist you will need an approved degree or postgraduate qualification in nutrition or public health nutrition.
You can search for degrees in nutrition on the Universities and Colleges Admission Service (UCAS) website. See the Nutrition Society’s website for a list of degree and postgraduate courses that are approved for registration.
To get onto a nutrition degree you will normally need at least two A levels including biology, chemistry, or both, plus five GCSEs. You should check entry requirements with each course provider, as they may accept other qualifications such as an Access to Higher Education course.
If you want to work unsupervised with patients in the NHS then you must train as a dietitian and become state-registered with the Health Professions Council (see Dietitian profile for details).
What further training and development can I do?
Your training on a nutrition degree would cover a range subjects including:
- food science
- biochemistry and physiology
- health promotion
- nutrition at different stages in life
- the effect of nutrition on disease.
As a graduate from an accredited course, you can apply to join the Nutrition Society’s Voluntary Register of Nutritionists as an Associate Nutritionist or Associate Public Health Nutritionist. When you have built up at least three years' professional experience, you will be eligible for full registration as a Registered Nutritionist (RNutr) or Registered Public Health Nutritionist (RPHNutr).
You can also apply for associate or full registration without an accredited BSc or MSc if you have at least seven years’ professional experience in nutrition.
Although registration is voluntary, most employers including the NHS will expect it, as a way of proving your level of training and competence.
You could choose to specialise in sports nutrition by taking a further relevant postgraduate degree and joining the voluntary Sport and Exercise Nutrition Register.
Where can I go for more information?
Interim Professional Body for Nutrition28 Portland Place
London
W1B 1DE
Tel: 020 7291 8378
Bristol
BS99 3EY
Tel: 0845 606 0655
If you would like to discuss your career options with a learning adviser, call 0800 100 900 or use our online enquiry form
Alternatively, you can visit our website at: www.direct.gov.uk/careersadvice
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What salary and other benefits can I expect?
- Salaries in the NHS are between £19,683 and £31,779 a year.
- In the food industry salaries can range from £20,000 to £40,000 a year, depending on experience and responsibility.
Figures are intended as a guideline only.
What are the hours and working conditions?
In the NHS you would generally work 37.5 hours a week, Monday to Friday. Part-time and flexible work may be available.
You could work in various settings such as hospitals, local health clinics and GP surgeries. You may spend time travelling within your local area to visit different centres and people’s homes.
What skills and knowledge will I need?
- excellent communication skills
- the ability to relate to people from all backgrounds
- a non-judgemental attitude
- the ability to inspire and motivate people
- a keen interest in healthy eating
- good knowledge of the impact of diet on health
- evaluation and reporting skills
- good time management and organisational skills
- the ability to work as part of a team and in partnership with other professionals.
What opportunities are there?
Opportunities for registered nutritionists in the NHS have increased rapidly, due to the rise in community health initiatives. With experience, you could progress into management and policy development.
You could also find work with food manufacturers, supermarket chains, universities, research establishments and in the media.
You may find the following links useful for job vacancies and further reading (links open new window):
NHS Jobs
Nutrition Society Jobs
We do not accept responsibility for the content of external sites.
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