Dietitian

Entry Requirements:

You can get into this job through:

• a university course
• an apprenticeship
• working towards this role

University

You'll need a degree or postgraduate qualification in dietetics or human nutrition, accredited by the British Dietetic Association .

You might be able to take a postgraduate course if you already have a degree with an acceptable level of human physiology and biochemistry.

You might be able to get additional student financial support through the NHS Learning Support Fund .

Entry requirements:

• 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English, maths and science
• 2 or 3 A levels, or equivalent, including biology or chemistry
• a degree in a relevant subject for postgraduate study

Entry requirements:

Apprenticeship

You might be able to do a dietitian degree apprenticeship.

This typically takes 4 years to complete as a mix of workplace learning and academic study at an approved university.

If you complete your apprenticeship successfully, you'll be eligible for full membership of the British Dietetic Association.

Entry requirements:

• 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, preferably including biology, for a degree apprenticeship

Work

You could work as a dietetic assistant and study part-time for a degree to qualify as a dietitian.

Volunteering

You'll find it helpful to get some paid or voluntary experience in the health or care sector before you apply for a course.

You can also find volunteering opportunities through The National Council for Voluntary Organisations and Do IT .

Required Skills:

Digital skills : to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

Skills:

• active listening skills
• knowledge of biology
• sensitivity and understanding
• excellent verbal communication skills
• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• the ability to work well with others
• patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
• the ability to work on your own
• customer service skills
• knowledge of teaching and the ability to design courses
• the ability to read English
• knowledge of psychology
• knowledge of English language
• the ability to understand people’s reactions
• excellent written communication skills
• the ability to monitor your own performance and that of your colleagues
• thinking and reasoning skills
• maths skills
• concentration skills
• a good memory

What you'll do:

Dietitians diagnose and treat people with nutrition problems and help people make healthy lifestyle and dietary decisions.

In this role you could:

• assess the nutritional needs of individuals, families or groups
• create treatment plans to improve nutrition and overall health
• give practical and sensitive dietary advice, tailored to people's needs
• monitor people's progress towards healthy eating targets
• create and update confidential clinical records

In a hospital, you could:

• specialise in an area like children's health, renal dietetics or cancer care
• run clinics for people with diabetes or eating disorders, like anorexia or bulimia
• work with catering services to create menus for patients with a range of dietary needs

In the community, you may:

• raise awareness of the importance of healthy eating
• run health promotion workshops
• advise people who lack confidence, are experiencing mental illness, or are on a low income

Location : You could work in an NHS or private hospital, in the community, at a research facility or at a health centre.

Salary:

Starter : £28,000
Experienced : £50,000

These figures are a guide

Working hours:

38 - 40 hours a week

Working Pattern is weekends occasionally

Career Path:

With experience you could become a team leader or department manager. You could also become self-employed.

You might take further training to use your skills in education, manufacturing, research, journalism, marketing, advertising or public relations.