5 Great Dietetics Careers
- Pediatric Dietician
- Sports Based Dietician
- Oncology Dietician
- Nutrition and Dietetic Registered Technician
- Clinical Dietician
Working in the field of dietetics can be rewarding because you get to help people live a healthier and more fulfilling life. The main job of a dietician is to provide counseling and education on nutrition, so people can eat according to a healthy diet. Sometimes this diet must incorporate or remove certain things depending on the health condition of the patient, but in general, the goal is to provide the know-how for eating healthy. Once you have acquired your degree in dietetics, you can select from a number of different areas to work in, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. You can base you decision on what interests you, what type of work environment you want to be in and what demographic of people you want to work with.
1. Pediatric Dietician
Working with kids and their family can be a really great experience. Kids are always a lot of fun to be around and working with a young demographic, inspiring them to eat healthy and live a healthy lifestyle, is helping them for many years to come. Usually you are working with a pediatric patient because they are in need of some sort of nutritional counseling. This can be because of a recent medical diagnosis, or they may just have trouble gaining or losing weight and could use some help. You work closely with the parents and other family members to make sure everybody knows how to meet nutritional goals.
2. Sports Based Dietician
If you are someone that cares a great deal about nutrition and fitness, then working with athletes in a sports-related atmosphere might be just the job for you. Your goal is usually focused around helping these athletes meet weight goals and help them build muscle. Sometimes, your job is to make sure they are getting nutritional support during a period of injury rehabilitation. You have the option to work at a local gym or fitness facility. You can even work for a sports team; providing nutritional support to everyone.
3. Oncology Dietician
People who have recently been diagnosed with cancer are going through a lot mentally, emotionally and physically. As they start their treatment plan, they will require support from a dietician. There are certain foods a cancer patient must avoid when they are going through something like chemotherapy. They may be lacking in other vitamins and nutrients because of their treatment and you can help ensure they are getting what they need as part of their diet. Their symptoms will play a big part in how you help them meal plan and cope.
4. Nutrition and Dietetic Registered Technician
A registered nutrition and dietetic technician can work in a number of different fields and this is really a versatile role to have. You can work in a medical setting providing assistance to patients. You can even work within a school district to help cafeteria staff plan student’s meals each month. You can provide support through private practice and you can work per diem. This is a great way to start out and experience a number of different aspects of dietetics.
5. Clinical Dietician
As a clinical dietician, you provide support to patients within a medical setting of some sort. This can be a nursing home, a hospital or a medical office. Your goal is to make sure patients are getting meals that encompass all of the major food groups and that they are adhering to their required diets. You need to be educated on conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, etc.
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If you are thinking about becoming a dietician and working in the field of dietetics, it is important to consider all of your career options. You may have a certain interest that is pulling you in a direction of clinical work or you may be more interested in athlete rehabilitation. Regardless of your interest, working in the field of nutrition can be rewarding and interesting.