University of Nebraska Medical Center

Medical nutrition/dietetics is a health profession that focuses on the science of nutrition and the art of applying that knowledge to help others. A medical nutrition therapist/registered dietitian understands the complexity of food composition and how it affects the body.

Major areas of practice include clinical, community, management and consulting dietetics.

Clinical

		Medical nutrition therapists/registered dietitians generally work in health care organizations such as hospitals, nursing homes or outpatient clinics. Or, they may have a private practice in counseling or consulting dietetics. They determine if patients have special nutritional needs and if they are eating the right foods for their medical condition. They develop nutrition plans and counsel patients and their families about nutrition.
		Example: A medical nutrition therapist/registered dietitian may advise a patient with diabetes on how to select and prepare foods that will help him (or her) maintain control of blood glucose levels. This may include teaching the whole family how to make diet changes and support the patient's needs. The medical nutrition therapist/registered dietitian will teach patients how to select or change recipes, purchase foods in grocery stores, and order restaurant meals that meet their special nutrition needs.

Community

		Community service registered dietitians work in public health clinics, home health agencies and other government-sponsored programs. They counsel individuals and groups on nutritional practices designed to prevent disease and promote good health.
		Example: A dietitian working at a maternal and child health clinic may screen clients for eligibility in a supplemental feeding program and conduct classes on infant feeding and prenatal nutrition.

Management

		Registered dietitians in management oversee large-scale meal planning and preparation in healthcare facilities, schools, colleges, business and industry settings, and correctional facilities.
		Example: A registered dietitian in management may hire, train, supervise, prepare and manage budgets, enforce sanitary and safety regulations, develop proposals and business plans, and design foodservice facilities. The dietitian in management may be responsible for one of the largest department budgets in some organizations.

Consulting dietetics or private practice medical nutrition therapy

		Consulting registered dietitians work in their own private practice or under contract with healthcare facilities. They may have a medical nutrition therapy focus, wellness focus, or management focus. They may perform nutrition screenings for their clients and offer advice on diet-related concerns, such as weight loss or lowering cholesterol. They may also counsel patients with eating disorders. Consulting registered dietitians may assess patient nutrition needs in nursing homes, make recommendations to the physicians, and ensure that the food service operation meets patient needs as well as safety and sanitation standards. They may provide classes, materials and other services for corporate wellness programs or fitness centers.
		Example: A registered dietitian may provide food service managers with advice on sanitation, safety procedures, menu development, budgeting and planning.

Is this career for you?

		Are you interested in nutrition and health?
		Do you like to help people?
		Do you possess good interpersonal skills?
		Are you good at analyzing and solving problems?
		Are you creative?

If so, a career as a medical nutrition therapist/registered dietitian might be for you. Medical nutrition therapists/registered dietitians are intrigued by the relationship between nutrition and health. They are fascinated by the science of nutrition, the complexity of food composition and how it affects the body. They apply their knowledge of nutrition to the art of helping people become and stay healthy.

Want to know more?
Jump over to Day in the Life and spend a "virtual day" with a practicing practicing dietitian.