The Canyon

Nutrition

The Registered Dietician (R.D.) is a food and nutrition expert who performs nutritional assessments by evaluating clients’ diets, develops nutritional therapy care plans, provides nutritional instruction and monitors results to ensure optimal nutrition for a variety of disease states and disease prevention. A nutritionist works as a team member with physicians, pharmacists, nurses, and case managers.

Example of Health Problems Treated

High blood pressure, obesity, diabetes, cancer, trauma, geriatrics, neonatal/pediatric growth-related concerns, obstetrics, multiple organ dysfunction, malnutrition, eating disorders, sports nutrition.

Specialties

Clinical Dietitians:
provide medical nutrition therapy for patients in acute care and long-term care institutions such as hospitals and nursing homes. They may specialize as part of a trauma team in areas such as Intensive Care in which critically ill patients are supported with nutritional life support measures.
Community Dietitians:
counsel individuals on nutritional practices designed to prevent disease and to promote good health, provide instruction on grocery shopping and food preparation.
Management Dietitians:
oversee large-scale meal planning and preparation in places such as health care facilities, cafeterias, prisons, and schools.
Consultant Dietitians:
work under contract with health care facilities or in private practice, perform nutrition screening, and offer advice on weight loss and cholesterol reduction.

Health Care Settings

Over half of all registered dieticians work in hospital, clinics, or extended care facilities. Approximately 11% work for community or public health programs. Others work in research, in school food service programs, or as consultants to health care facilities or to corporations; a few work in private practice.

AVERAGE SALARY: Entry level- $25,000 to $45,000; $50,000+ possible with experience.

Education

A Bachelors degree in dietetics or in food and nutrition, with an additional year of internship and a board examination, are required in order to practice.

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