In hospitals, dietitians give advice regarding diet, nutrition and health to patients with a variety of medical conditions. The work of a dietitian can involve:

• specialising in an area such as diabetes, children's health, or cancer
• running outpatient clinics for those with food allergies and eating disorders such as anorexia or bulimia
• collaborating with hospital catering services to create a healthy and nutritious menu, suitable for patients with a range of dietary needs.

In the community, dietitians are part of a primary health care team, working alongside GPs and health visitors to raise awareness of the importance of healthy eating. This work can include:

• giving talks
• one-to-one consultations
• advising people whose problems may be linked to lack of confidence, depression or low-income budget.

In the food industry, dietitians can be involved in developing new products and calculating their nutritional value. Working in the marketing and advertising department, they help to write advertisements and produce information to promote products, checking what is said is correct from a nutritional point of view.

Working in public relations, dietitians may represent their company by putting its point of view to the media; for example, working for a soft drinks manufacturer, they might appear on television to talk about the product.

Hours and Environment

Dietitians in the NHS work 37.5 hours a week, possibly with some on-call and stand-by work, usually on a Saturday. Part-time work is available.

Dietitians work in consulting rooms attached to clinics, health centres and hospitals. Travel may be involved and a driving licence is useful.

Skills and Interests

To be a dietitian, you should:

• have an interest in nutrition and the welfare of people
• be non-judgemental and understanding about alternative lifestyles
• have tact and patience when persuading people to change eating habits
• have good verbal and written communication skills
• be flexible, able to work on your own and as part of a team
• have good organisational skills
• have an aptitude for and an interest in science.

Entry

To be a state registered dietitian you need a qualification approved by the Health Professions Council (HPC). You need to complete one of the following HPC approved courses:

• a degree in dietetics or (human) nutrition and dietetics - entry requirements usually consist of five GCSEs (A-C)/S grades (1-3), including maths and English, plus three A levels/H grades in chemistry and at least one other science-related subject
• a postgraduate diploma in dietetics or (human) nutrition and dietetics - for this course you will need a good honours degree in a life science subject. Course providers will decide on the appropriateness of your first degree, paying particular attention to the depth at which you previously studied subjects such as human physiology and biochemistry.

An Access to Higher Education qualification may also be accepted for entry to certain courses. Please check with colleges or universities for exact entry requirements.

Good written and verbal communication skills are also essential.

Dietetic degree courses usually take four years full-time. Most postgraduate dietetic courses are two years full-time.

Before applying for a course, you should consider gaining appropriate work experience as this will provide good insight into the profession. Contact your local NHS Trust dietetic department for advice.

NHS funding is available for most students on approved pre-registration dietetics courses; your course provider will supply more details.

Many dietetic departments employ dietetic assistants – there are no formal qualifications required to work in this post, however, previous experience in a healthcare environment would be an advantage and good communication skills are vital. On-the-job training is usually provided and assistants are often encouraged to work towards NVQ Level 3 in Health: Allied Health Professions Support (Dietetics). Dietetic assistants are eligible for associate membership of the BDA. Contact your local NHS trust for further details.

Training

Approved dietetic degree and postgraduate courses involve studying a range of subjects including:

• food science
• biochemistry
• psychology
• nutrition
• physiology.

The course provides a substantial practical element based on placements in a clinical setting, working alongside qualified and experienced dietitians. Placements make up approximately 28 weeks of an approved course, and take place in hospital and community settings.

The BDA suggest that evidence of Continuing Professional Development (CPD) will, in the near future, determine if a practitioner is able to remain practising and on the state register. The BDA run workshops and training courses to assist with the achievement of CPD.

The BDA have also developed the Diploma in Advanced Dietetic Practice, which is open to all full members of the BDA and should be completed over a minimum of five years. Work is underway to explore the development of a Masters in Advanced Dietetic Practice. Contact the BDA for details.

Opportunities

The majority of dietitians are employed in the NHS. Other employers include food and drink manufacturers, supermarket chains and the private health sector.

There may be opportunities for dietitians to teach food and health science in schools, colleges and universities, and to carry out research into areas like the effect of diet on athletic performance.

It is possible to work as a dietitian on a freelance, self-employed basis. There may be opportunities for work in the UK and overseas, across a range of specialisms including sports nutrition, research, the media, and health promotion.

Annual Income

Figures are intended as a guideline only.

The starting salary for a dietitian in the NHS is between £19,200 and £24,800 a year.
A specialist dietitian can earn up to £31,000.
A dietetic team manager can earn around £40,000.

Additional allowances may be paid for working irregular hours, and being on-call.

Further information

Tel: 08000 150 850
Email: learning@nhscareers.nhs.uk PO Box 376
Bristol
BS99 3EY
Tel: 0845 606 0655 5th Floor, Charles House
148/9 Great Charles Street
Queensway
Birmingham
B3 3HT
Tel: 0121 200 8080 Park House
184 Kennington Park Road
London
SE11 4BU
Tel: 020 7582 0866