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Dietitian

Alternative titles for this job include

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

Average salary (a year)

£25,654 Starter

to

£40,056 Experienced

Typical hours (a week)

38 to 40 a week

You could work

weekends occasionally

How to become

Explore the different ways to get into this role.

How to become a dietitian

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

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

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 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

More Information

Apprenticeship

You may be able to do a dietitian degree apprenticeship.

This typically takes 48 months to complete as a mix of workplace learning and academic study at an approved university.

On successful completion you will be eligible for full membership of the British Dietetic Association.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

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

More Information

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 could contact the voluntary services co-ordinator at your local NHS trust for further advice.

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

More Information

Registration

Career tips

When applying for courses and apprenticeships, you'll be expected to have an understanding of how NHS values apply in your work.

Professional and industry bodies

You may find it useful to join organisations like the British Dietetic Association for training opportunities and to make industry contacts.

Further information

You'll find more advice about becoming a dietitian from the British Dietetic Association and Health Careers.

What it takes

Find out what skills you’ll use in this role.

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

  • 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
  • to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

Restrictions and Requirements

You'll need to:

What you’ll do

Discover the day to day tasks you’ll do in this role.

What you'll do

Day-to-day tasks

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 ill health, or are on a low income

Working environment

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

Career path and progression

Look at progression in this role and similar opportunities.

Career path and progression

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.

Current opportunities

Find apprenticeships, courses and jobs available near you.

Current opportunities

Apprenticeships In England

We can't find any apprenticeship vacancies in England for a dietitian right now.

The Find an apprenticeship service can help you with your search, send alerts when new apprenticeships become available and has advice on how to apply.

Courses In England

Access to HE Diploma: Health Science

  • Provider: UNIVERSITY OF DERBY
  • Start date: 06 September 2022
  • Location: Derby

Access to HE (Health Science Professions)

  • Provider: NORTHERN COLLEGE FOR RESIDENTIAL ADULT EDUCATION LIMITED(THE)
  • Start date: 19 September 2022
  • Location: BARNSLEY
Find courses near you

Jobs In the United Kingdom

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