Dietician (Dietist)
Information on this skill...
A dietitian is a specialist in the field of nutrition and treats clients or patients with tailor-made nutritional advice or dietary advice. The profession of dietitian cannot simply be compared to the profession of weight consultant, because a dietitian specializes in nutrition in relation to disease. The work of a dietitian therefore goes beyond just giving nutritional advice, because a dietitian can have to deal with patients who have a certain disease. Think, for example, of diabetes patients or people who have an allergy. In many cases, these types of patients are referred to a dietitian by a general practitioner or doctor. In short, the work of a dietitian can best be described as promoting the physical health of patients. A dietitian also has a major advisory and motivating role in the field of nutrition and health. The profession of dietitian is a legally protected profession, so not everyone can just call themselves a dietitian. It is not necessary to get a referral from a general practitioner or other specialist in order to be able to go to a dietitian. A dietitian does not only have to deal with people who are overweight, because other people can also go to a dietitian, for example, because they have a disease. So people can have to deal with a dietitian for various reasons. Think, for example, of athletes who need extra guidance, because they need good nutritional advice to achieve a certain performance. In addition, people may temporarily have to deal with a dietitian, such as after surgery. It can happen that operated people temporarily find it difficult to eat or are not allowed to consume certain food for health reasons. Diabetes patients also generally need extra guidance if they have been told that they have diabetes. It is therefore not the case that a dietitian only has to deal with clients and / or patients who are overweight.
A dietitian is therefore a paramedic and therefore has to deal with different clients and patients who need nutritional advice or dietary advice. The profession of dietitian belongs to the so-called paramedical professions. This means that a dietitian may perform certain medical treatments without a dietitian being considered a doctor. A dietitian generally works a lot with doctors and other specialists. Think, for example, of a specialist in geriatric medicine, cardiologists, dermatologists, internists and diabetes nurses. In addition, patients can be referred by a general practitioner. As described earlier, a dietitian deals with different types of patients, which does not only relate to overweight. Consider, for example, patients who have just undergone surgery and people who have a food allergy. A dietitian can have a lot to do with a specialist in geriatric medicine.
IS DIETITIAN A PROTECTED PROFESSION?
The title dietitian has professional protection within the Netherlands. A dietitian must have a Bachelor's degree in Nutrition & Dietetics with a medical background. A dietitian does not have to be registered in the BIG register, but does have a protected educational title. It is therefore not allowed to just pretend to be a dietitian. A dietitian must therefore be included in the paramedics quality register.
OVERCOMING OBESITY
Being overweight is a problem for many people and can be a daily recurring battle, which alone is difficult to win. The dietitian is the right person to overcome this struggle. A dietitian will not only point out the eating behavior but also have a motivating effect, so that the client is not alone. Obesity is fairly often related to behavioural change and awareness. For example, it is a wrong thought to think that overweight can be overcome by exercising a lot. Overcoming overweight has much more to do with the diet. Think, for example, of eating more vegetables and getting less carbohydrates, such as pizza, fries and pasta. For more information on this subject, you can also look at the professions of nutritionist, weight consultant and nutrition assistant, which have common ground with the profession of dietitian.
Visiting a dietitian can be done by anyone. No referral is required for this. A dietitian will usually start with general questions about healthy lifestyle and healthy nutrition. A reimbursement for the dietitian is usually only possible when there is a need. Think, for example, of someone with high cholesterol or people with high blood pressure.
WHAT TASKS DOES A DIETITIAN HAVE:
- A dietitian analyzes nutritional needs.
- A dietitian develops diet plans.
- A dietitian gives advice regarding nutrition and other relevant matters.
- A dietitian keeps records of the diet plan.
- A dietitian monitors the progress and condition of clients.
- A dietitian consults with other health care professionals.
- A dietitian can be educational for certain groups.
- A dietitian conducts studies and assesses studies for usefulness.
WHAT DOES A DIETITIAN DO:
TRAINING TO BECOME A DIETITIAN
If you aspire to a career as a dietitian, it is best to follow a bachelor's degree in Nutrition and Dietetics of about four years depending on your previous education. Some topics that will be covered during the programme are food sciences, social sciences and psychology, general natural sciences, pathology and computer science. There is also a Dutch association of dietitians where much more information can be found about the profession. In addition, there are also plenty of external training institutes where you can follow a course. Accounting is also important as an independent entrepreneur.
COMPANIES WHERE A DIETITIAN CAN WORK
A dietitian works within the healthcare sector and can work for different types of institutions. Think, for example, of hospitals, gp posts, nursing homes, home care organizations, care for the disabled and an obesity clinic. In addition, the profession of dietitian occurs within the sports sector. A dietitian can also work as an entrepreneur within his own practice. You can also work well outside of healthcare as a dietitian, such as for the food industry.
COMPETENCES DIETITIAN
As a dietitian you will have to have a great empathy and be able to listen well. Because you will consult and advise a lot, your communication skills must be good. In addition to consulting and advising, as a dietitian you will have to be able to motivate and inspire well. Persuasion is also important, so that clients understand the seriousness of their complaints. Generally important words are independence, coaching, analytical, vigilance, checking, planning, organizing, consulting and education. Finally, it is also important to mention education. Education mainly relates to the provision of information.
LABOUR MARKET PERSPECTIVE AND CAREER OPPORTUNITIES AS A DIETITIAN
A well-trained dietitian with the completed Bachelor's degree in Nutrition and Dietetics will usually have no problem obtaining work. As a dietitian, you can work at many different institutions focused on health care. The career opportunities should be seen as following extra training or starting your own practice.
TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT AND SALARY DIETITIAN
There are no specific employment conditions for the profession of dietitian because you can work for different health organizations and also work outside of health care. In addition, it is perfectly conceivable that you work as a dietitian as an independent entrepreneur and you will determine your own employment conditions. A hbo-trained dietitian will usually earn a salary between 2500 and 3800 euros per month depending on age, education and specific responsibilities. As an independent entrepreneur, there is usually more to earn as a dietitian if you manage to get enough assignments.
The content on this page has been automatically translated from the Dutch language. For this reason, texts and videos on this page may contain small errors.
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