Dietetic Technicians

social interests nutritional program patient dietitian information treatment customer recipe medical professional

Diet Tech (Dietetic Technician), Diet Technician Registered (DTR), Dietary Aide, Nutrition Technician

What they do:
Assist in the provision of food service and nutritional programs, under the supervision of a dietitian. May plan and produce meals based on established guidelines, teach principles of food and nutrition, or counsel individuals.
On the job, you would:
  • Observe and monitor patient food intake and body weight, and report changes, progress, and dietary problems to dietician.
  • Conduct nutritional assessments of individuals, including obtaining and evaluating individuals' dietary histories, to plan nutritional programs.
  • Prepare a major meal, following recipes and determining group food quantities.

Knowledge

Business

  • customer service
  • management

Arts and Humanities

  • English language

Education and Training

  • teaching and course design

Math and Science

  • arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics

Skills

Basic Skills

  • talking to others
  • listening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions

Problem Solving

  • noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it

Social

  • looking for ways to help people
  • teaching people how to do something

Abilities

Verbal

  • communicate by speaking
  • listen and understand what people say

Ideas and Logic

  • use rules to solve problems
  • make general rules or come up with answers from lots of detailed information

Personality

People interested in this work like activities that include helping people, teaching, and talking.

They do well at jobs that need:

  • Attention to Detail
  • Adaptability/Flexibility
  • Concern for Others
  • Dependability
  • Stress Tolerance
  • Independence

Technology

You might use software like this on the job:

Data base user interface and query software

  • USDA Child Nutrition Database
  • ValuSoft MasterCook

Presentation software

  • Microsoft PowerPoint Hot Technology

Analytical or scientific software

  • Axxya Systems Nutritionist Pro
  • NutriGenie Optimal Nutrition

Education

Education: (rated 3 of 5)
associate's degree or
certificate after high school
usually needed

Get started on your career:

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Job Outlook

Average
New job opportunities are likely in the future.
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See more details at O*NET OnLine about dietetic technicians.