Registered Dietitians serve as experts on nutrition in a variety of settings. As of 2008, more than 60,000 Americans worked in the field of nutrition, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The demand for professionals in the field should increase by 9 percent from 2008 through 2018, creating around 5,600 new jobs, the BLS predicts.
Features
Registered Dietitians, also known as RDs, develop meal plans and meal suggestions for patients. Often, dietitians provide services for patients with specific dietary needs, such as low-calorie diets for weight loss, a low-sugar diet for diabetics or a low-sodium diet for people with high blood pressure. Dietitians may work directly with patients, providing counseling and teaching them how to make healthy food selections at home. Other RDs work for facilities like schools, hospitals or nursing homes, overseeing menu preparations. Most dietitians work 40 hours per week; around 19 percent worked part time as of 2008, reports BLS.
Education
A minimum of a bachelor's degree in nutrition or a related field is necessary to become a Registered Dietitian. Students must complete this four-year degree program at a school approved by the Commission on Accreditation for Dietetics Education (CADE) of the American Dietetic Association to qualify for registration. As of 2008, 279 bachelor's degree programs in the United States had this accreditation, reports BLS. In addition to the classroom-based component, prospective registered dietitians participate in a CADE-approved internship known as a supervised practice program. These internships provide students with hands-on experience working with patients in a clinical setting. Many colleges feature the internship as a part of their degree requirements, but students may also complete some supervised practice programs independently of degrees if they choose.
Credentialing
The Commission on Dietetic Registration oversees the credentialing program for dietitians. Individuals who have completed the necessary education requirements qualify for the Registration Examination for Dietitians, the computer-based test required to receive the RD designation. The exam covers topics like counseling, food service systems, management and food science. In addition to RD certification, most states require dietitians to receive a license prior to working independently with patients. Requirements vary from state to state but often include an examination.
Compensation
As of May 2009, dietitians earned an average of $53,230 annually, reports BLS. The lowest-paid 10 percent of professionals in the field made $33,230 or less, while the highest-paid earned $74,690 or more. General hospitals and nursing homes paid dietitians a yearly average of $53,560 and $53,130, respectively. Outpatient care centers paid slightly lower average annual salaries, around $52,120 per year. Dietitians also reported receiving benefits like 401k retirement plans, paid holiday and sick time, life and disability insurance and reimbursement for tuition and other education-related expenses.
0 comments:
Post a Comment