As of 2015, careers in nutrition have grown in leaps and bounds. Having a career in this field of specialization encompasses a magnitude of things. This includes working as a private practitioner, initiating and developing marketing campaigns for several products, as well as overseeing the preparation and serving of lunch in schools and hospitals. While there are multiple career paths for aspiring dietitians, some jobs require a bachelor’s degree, others require a PhD, making the field very flexible.
Overview of Careers in Nutrition
As a clinical nutritionist, you provide nutritional care by initiating nutritional requirements and working with individual patients to determine their specific nutritional needs. On the same breath, you also supervise meal preparation by individuals or institutions. Your work may also involve the supervision and management of a food department within an institution. In most cases, nutritionists work in hospitals and other related healthcare facilities to develop nutritional plans to help patients remain healthy and improve their overall health. Community nutrition health workers, on the other hand, work with the members of the public to educate them on the importance of healthy eating.
They mainly work in public health facilities, health maintenance organizations and home health clinics. They teach people how to prepare food for their children, those with special needs and the elderly.
Management nutritionists, however, oversee the works of other nutritionists as well as other workers in places like schools, cafeterias and hospitals among others. Their responsibility includes supervising meal preparation and planning.
Besides that, it is also their responsibility to ensure that safety and sanitation standards are maintained at all times. This is besides hiring and training other workers, as well as budgeting and preparing reports. They may also be responsible for purchasing equipment, supplies and food.
As for consultant nutritionists, they may choose to work on their own or with other organizations to advise people who face diet problems. They normally attend to clients who have issues related to weight loss or cholesterol reduction. They are specialized in analyzing individual needs of each client, thanks to their nutrition screening skills. They are normally employed in large supermarkets, health-related businesses and wellness programs among others.
Job Training Requirements and Qualifications
Just like any other profession, jobs in nutrition require one to undergo stringent training. To begin with, one must take a high school course in chemistry, health, biology, mathematics and communications. As a minimum requirement, one must have a bachelor’s degree in areas like food service system, foods and nutrition or dietetics. Different states have different requirements related to practice. While some require certification or licensure, others require registration. Other states may also require one to have Registered Dietitian credentials. For those that want to work in public health facilities, conduct research or work as advanced professionals, an advanced degree in nutrition is often required.
Job and Employment Opportunities
The field of nutrition is expected to see more growth and job openings. Job opportunities in nutrition are expected to grow, largely because of an aging and growing population that will require professional nutritional assistance in many facilities. Public interest in health education as well professionals leaving the field will also lead to job opportunities. Employment opportunities are available in doctors’ offices, food service providers as well as outpatient care providers. However, they are declining opportunities in government positions and nursing care facilities.
Earnings for Jobs in Nutrition
Careers in nutrition are some of the most rewarding. However, the expected earnings in this profession are affected by many things, key among them being experience and education level. As of 2014, the average median salary for a nutritionist was $50,590. Nutritionists working in large companies or as consultants earned an average of $64,000 annually. On the higher side, a nutritionist should expect an annual salary of $73,410.