Dietetic Technician

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Work Tasks

• Help dietitians find nutrition problems that patients have
• Teach individuals or groups about nutrition, food, fitness, and health
• Help make menus and diet plans for patients
• Make sure kitchen and cooking equipment is kept clean
• Make food labels which tell the food nutrients
• Work in hospitals, schools, nursing homes, research facilities, health clubs, and for food supply companies
• Work with food and food equipment, menus, recipes, diet plans, patient histories, medical records, computers, and forms

Salary, Size & Growth

• $35,000 average per year ($16.75 per hour)
• A small occupation (23,900 workers in 2010)
• Expected to grow moderately (1.4% per year)

Education/Training

• Employers Prefer: Completion of a 2-year degree in an approved dietetic technician program
• Skills/Courses: 450 hours of supervised practical experience in various community programs, health care, and food service facilities
• Certification/Licensing: Certification is available.