Nutritionist

Entry Requirements:

You can get into this job through a university course,

University

You'll usually need a degree or postgraduate qualification approved by the Association for Nutrition .

Approved courses include:

• food and nutrition
• biochemistry
• physiology
• public health
• health promotion

Entry requirements:

• 2 or 3 A levels, or equivalent, including biology or chemistry
• a degree in a relevant subject for postgraduate study

Entry requirements:

Entry requirements:

Volunteering

You might want to get some paid or volunteering experience in the NHS . It could help you get a place on a university course.

You could also consider work experience in:

• food safety
• animal welfare
• food poverty charities
• sports and fitness
• food manufacturing
• university research laboratories

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

Required Skills:

Digital skills : to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

Skills:

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

What you'll do:

Nutritionists teach patients and clients about the effects of food on their health, motivating them to make positive changes to their diet.

Your exact day to day tasks will vary depending on where you work.

Generally, as a nutritionist you might:

• complete research to learn more about a certain area of nutrition
• recruit volunteers to take part in your research
• process and analyse biological samples
• provide scientific advice on healthy eating
• work with hospital patients, supported by doctors, dieticians and nurses

Location : You could work in an NHS or private hospital, in the community, at a GP practice, at a health centre or in a laboratory.

Salary:

Starter : £28,000
Experienced : £43,000

These figures are a guide

Working hours:

37 - 39 hours a week

Working Pattern is between 8am and 6pm

Career Path:

With experience or further training, you could:

• specialise in an area, such as sports nutrition, public health or animal nutrition
• supervise a team of nutritionists
• manage whole projects or policies
• find your own clients and become self employed