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Dietetic Technician

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AVG. SALARY

$30,670

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EDUCATION

Associate's degree

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JOB OUTLOOK

Stable

What They Do

Dietetic Technicians Career Video

About This Career

Assists in the provision of food service and nutritional programs, under the supervision of a dietitian. May plan and produce meals based on established guidelines, teach principles of food and nutrition, or counsel individuals.

This career is part of the Health Science cluster Therapeutic Services pathway.

A person in this career:

  • Observes and monitors patient food intake and body weight, and reports changes, progress, and dietary problems to dietician.
  • Conducts nutritional assessments of individuals, including obtaining and evaluating individuals' dietary histories, to plan nutritional programs.
  • Prepares a major meal, following recipes and determining group food quantities.
  • Supervises food production or service or assists dietitians or nutritionists in food service supervision or planning.
  • Plans menus or diets or guides individuals or families in food selection, preparation, or menu planning, based upon nutritional needs and established guidelines.
  • Develops job specifications, job descriptions, or work schedules.
  • Attends interdisciplinary meetings with other health care professionals to discuss patient care.
  • Provides dietitians with assistance researching food, nutrition, or food service systems.
  • Selects, schedules, or conducts orientation or in-service education programs.
  • Analyzes menus or recipes, standardizes recipes, or tests new products.

Working Conditions and Physical Demands

People who do this job report that:

  • You would often handle loads up to 10 lbs., sometimes up to 20 lbs. You might do a lot of walking or standing, or you might sit but use your arms and legs to control machines, equipment or tools.
  • Work in this occupation involves use of protective items such as safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hearing protection, a hard hat, or personal flotation devices
  • Exposed to disease and infections more than once a month through work such as patient care, laboratory work, and sanitation control
  • Work in this occupation requires being inside most of the time
  • Sound and noise levels are loud and distracting
  • Work in this occupation involves standing more than one-third of the time
  • Work in this occupation involves walking or running more than one-third of the time

Working in this career involves (physical activities):

  • Seeing clearly up close
  • Speaking clearly enough to be able to be understood by others
  • Identifying and understanding the speech of another person

Work Hours and Travel

  • Regular working hours and limited travel

Specialty and Similar Careers

Careers that are more detailed or close to this career:

  • Dietetic Technician Registered (DTR)
  • Nutrition Technician
  • Cook Chill Technician (CCT)
  • Diet Assistant
  • Diet Clerk
  • Diet Tech (Diet Technician)
  • Diet Tech (Dietetic Technician)
  • Diet Technician Registered (DTR)
  • Dietetic Assistant
  • Dietary Aide