Career: Dietetic Technicians
Preparing a dinner for two sometimes seems challenge enough. But preparing healthy, nutritious food for hundreds is something that requires the expertise and knowledge of a dietetic technician.
Often working with dietitians, dietetic technicians plan menus, prepare meals, order food, and manage budgets for places like schools, nursing homes, and prisons. They may also help counsel people on healthy eating or prepare nutrition information for food labels.
Dietetic technicians help to prepare food for facilities such as hospitals, schools, and restaurants.
Did You Know?
- To become a registered dietetic technician, you’ll first need to earn an associate’s degree from a program approved by the American Dietetic Association.
Are You Ready To...?
- Work with a dietitian to design menus for a day care center
- Purchase and prepare food for a prison
- Advise individuals on proper nutrition
- Teach a class in nutrition at a weight management center
It Helps to Be...
Caring, compassionate, and organized. You may be working with a wide range of people, some of whom are ill or overweight. And you may be juggling many responsibilities as you coordinate meals for large groups.
Make High School Count
- Do your best in science courses such as biology and chemistry.
- Volunteer or intern with a nonprofit organization such as Meals on Wheels.
- Sign up for health science and family and consumer studies to learn more about nutrition and cooking.
- Visit the website of the American Dietetic Association.
Did You Know?
- Graduating isn’t enough: You’ll need to pass a national exam on nutrition basics, counseling, education, and management.
Outlook
Government economists expect jobs for dietetic technicians to grow faster than the average for all careers through 2016.
Compensation
The U.S. Department of Labor estimates that the average yearly salary in 2008 for dietetic technicians was $27,580.
