Dietitian
What is the work like?
Dietitians use their scientific knowledge to help people make informed decisions about their lifestyle and food choices. They assess and treat people with a wide range of medical problems, and promote wellbeing by giving information and advice about the connection between food and physical and mental health.
In the NHS, you could be based in a hospital or the community.
In a hospital setting, your job would often involve:
- specialising in an area such as children's health, renal dietetics or cancer care
- running outpatient clinics for people with diabetes or eating disorders, such as anorexia or bulimia
- working with catering services to create menus suitable for patients with a range of dietary needs.
In the community, you could be part of a primary care team (including GPs and health visitors) and your duties could include:
- carrying out a range of activities to raise awareness of the importance of healthy eating
- running health promotion workshops for healthcare professionals
- one-to-one client consultations
- giving dietary advice to people whose problems may be linked to lack of confidence, depression or low-income.
Outside of the NHS, you could work within education, manufacturing, research, journalism, marketing, advertising and public relations. Your role could involve developing new products and calculating their nutritional value, creating scientifically accurate promotional literature about a food product or representing a manufacturer's point of view to the media.
What qualifications and experience will employers look for?
You will need a degree or postgraduate qualification in dietetics or (human) nutrition and dietetics before you can start work as a dietitian. The course you choose must be approved by the Health Professions Council (HPC).
To get onto a dietetic degree you will usually need five GCSEs (A-C), including maths and English, plus three A levels including chemistry and at least one other science-related subject. Check with course providers for exact entry details because alternative qualifications may also be accepted.
To get onto an approved postgraduate course, you will usually need an honours degree in a life science subject (including topics such as human physiology and biochemistry). Course providers will advise you further about the relevance of your first degree.
You may have an advantage when applying for a course if you have some paid or voluntary experience that demonstrates your interest and understanding of this area of work. Contact the voluntary services coordinator or manager at your local NHS Trust for further advice.
Dietetic degrees are usually four years full-time, and postgraduate courses are normally two years full-time. You may be able to get NHS funding to pay for course fees and living expenses. Check the websites of the British Dietetics Association (BDA) and HPC for a list of universities.
Dietetic assistant
You could start your career in dietetics as a dietetic assistant. You will usually need a good general standard of education (possibly including four GCSEs (A-C)), strong communication skills and a keen interest in healthy eating, diet and nutrition. You are likely to have an advantage if you also have experience in a healthcare setting.
Once you are working as an assistant, you will usually receive on-the-job training and you may be encouraged to work towards NVQ Level 3 in Health: Allied Health Professions Support (Dietetics) and membership of the BDA. Contact your local NHS trust or NHS Jobs for vacancy details.
What further training and development can I do?
Throughout your career you will need to keep up to date with advances in your field and take up opportunities for continuing professional development (CPD).
You can join the British Dietetic Association (BDA) and as a member you would have access to workshops and other activities that may help you with this. The BDA suggests that in the near future dietitians may need to provide evidence of CPD in order to remain on the state register.
As a full member of the BDA, you could take the Diploma in Advanced Dietetic Practice, which may enhance your career prospects. The BDA is also looking to create a Masters in Advanced Dietetic Practice. Check the BDA website for details.
Where can I go for more information?
Tel: 08000 150850Bristol
BS99 3EY
Tel: 0845 606 0655
184 Kennington Park Road
London
SE11 4BU
Tel: 020 7582 0866
148/9 Great Charles Street
Queensway
Birmingham
B3 3HT
Tel: 0121 200 8080
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?
- The starting salary for a dietitian can be between £20,300 and £26,200 a year.
- With experience this can rise to around £32,600.
- Team managers may earn up to £38,300.
Additional allowances may be paid for working irregular hours or an on-call rota.
Figures are intended as a guideline only.
What are the hours and working conditions?
In the NHS you would typically work 37.5 hours a week, which could include weekends. Part-time work may also be available.
You would usually be based in a consulting room attached to a clinic, health centre or hospital.
What skills and knowledge will I need?
- an interest in nutrition and the health and wellbeing of people
- an aptitude for science
- the ability to explain complicated issues simply
- a non-judgemental and understanding attitude to alternative lifestyles
- tact and patience, combined with the ability to motivate people into changing eating habits
- excellent spoken and written communication skills
- the ability to work alone and as part of a team
- a flexible approach to work
- the ability to organise your time and prioritise your work.
What opportunities are there?
You will find most jobs in the NHS, but you could also work with, for example, food and drink manufacturers, multinational supermarket chains and in the private health sector.
With experience, you could work on a freelance, self-employed basis or overseas. You could also train further and go into an area such as sports nutrition, the media, health promotion or teaching. You may be able to combine this with carrying out research into a subject of interest, for example, diet and athletic performance.
In the NHS, you could progress and specialise in a clinical area, such as gastroenterology, or focus on the health needs of a particular group like older people. You may go on to lead a team or manage a department, and have responsibility for controlling a budget.
Jobs may be advertised in local and industry press, and you may also find the following useful for vacancies: (links open in new window)
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