A Michigan Jobs & Career Portal service.

Dietetic Technicians assist in the assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation of either nutritional care services or food service management for organizations that prepare meals on a large scale such as hospitals, schools, and other institutions.

JOB DUTIES 

Dietetic Technicians may specialize in a particular area of competency, nutritional care or food service management.

Nutritional care technicians may:

Interview patients to obtain and evaluate their diet histories

Observe the food intake of patients

Report the progress and dietary problems of patients to the Dietitian 

Assist patients with the planning, selecting, purchasing and preparing of meals that are within the patient's budget and that meet the prescribed diet

Translate the calculated diets into daily menus

Assist hospitalized patients with menu choices that meet diet requirements

Dietetic Technicians who have food service management competency assist with food service operations of geriatric, child care, or other programs. They may:

Plan menus

Develop and/or test products

Procure and store food, supplies, and equipment

Supervise food production and service

Maintain quality control, sanitation and safety standards

Prepare budget data and maintain cost control systems

Select, train, and schedule employees

Implement new food service systems

To view Dietetic Technicians at work click here.

The tools, equipment, and materials used may include:

OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTIES   

077.124-010  DIETETIC TECHNICIAN may specialize in a particular area of competency, such as nutritional care or food service management.

Nutritional care technicians work with patients by interviewing them about diet histories; observing their food intake; reporting their progress or dietary problems to the Dietitian; or assisting the patient with planning, selecting, purchasing, and preparing meals.

Dietetic Technicians who have food service management competency assist with food service operations of geriatric, child care, or other programs.

In addition to learning about these specialties, you may also find it helpful to explore the following Career Exploration Scripts:

WORKING CONDITIONS AND REQUIREMENTS

Dietetic Technicians usually work as a member of a health care team and may supervise food preparation workers. Supervision of Dietetic Technicians may vary: those in nutritional care are supervised by a Dietitian; those in food service management are supervised by an administrator as well as a registered consulting Dietitian.

They may work in dietary departments in health care facilities which are generally clean, well lighted, well ventilated, and located near the kitchen area. Those who work in kitchens and serving areas, which may be noisy and humid, must follow safety rules to avoid injury from hot foods and equipment.

Dietetic Technicians in food service administration usually work a 5- day, 40-hour week, however, weekend, holiday, and shift work, as well as irregular hours, may be expected. Shifts are usually 8 hours long and workers on each shift are responsible for preparing one major meal.

Nutritional care technicians may be required to make home visits to patients.

They may join professional associations such as the American Dietetic Association. Those who are union members must pay periodic dues.

You Should Prefer:

• Activities concerned with the communication of data to other people
• Activities of a scientific and technical nature
• Activities that involve the use of processes, machines, and techniques

You Should Be Able To:

• Follow instructions, reason, and make judgments
• Make decisions based on verifiable criteria
• Direct, control, and plan an entire activity or activities of others
• Deal with people beyond giving and receiving instructions
• Perform a variety of duties which may often change

Math Problem You Should Be Able to Solve:

If a 4 ounce piece of meat equals 110 calories, how many calories are in a 12 ounce piece of the same meat?

Reading Example You Should Be Able to Read and Comprehend:

Dietary fibers are the parts of plant food that cannot be digested by humans. In the past, fiber was called roughage or bulk.

Writing Example You Should Be Able to Produce:

You should be able to write a report explaining a diet that is needed and the benefits that will occur from this diet.

Thinking Skill You Should Be Able to Demonstrate:

You should be able to look at a person's diet records and then decide the best diet for them.

Most employers prefer applicants who are graduates of an Associate Degree program that is approved by the American Dietetic Association.

[back to top]

EDUCATION AND PREPARATION OPPORTUNITIES

NOTE: An Associate Degree (two years of study beyond High School) may qualify a person for this occupation.

The following education and preparation opportunities are helpful in preparing for occupations in this Career Exploration Script:

***SCHOOL SUBJECTS***

0700 CAREERS , 0900 COMMUNICATIONS , 1500 FOODS & NUTRITION , 1800 HEALTH & HEALTH CAREERS , 2200 MATH , 2900 SCIENCE , 3300 TECHNOLOGY

***VOCATIONAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS***

There are no Vocational Education Programs related to this Career Exploration Script.

***POSTSECONDARY PROGRAMS***

117 NUTRITION

Programs in Nutrition provide opportunities to gain knowledge concerning the relation of foods to physical and psychological health. They provide an understanding of food supply and distribution, technical development, and consumer behavior. Individuals who teach Nutrition at the secondary school level must have a Michigan Teaching Certificate.

Courses vary from school to school but may include:

Search for a College and/or Instructional Program

***APPRENTICESHIP OPPORTUNITIES***

There are no Apprenticeships related to this Career Exploration Script.

***MILITARY TRAINING PROGRAMS***

There are no Military Programs related to this Career Exploration Script.

E-Learning Courses and Programs

OPPORTUNITIES FOR EXPERIENCE AND METHODS OF ENTRY

Opportunities to explore or gain experience as a Dietetic Technician may be obtained through part-time or summer work in the food service department of a hospital or other health care organizations. Postsecondary programs in nutrition may offer a co-op or work experience segment which will provide experience.

School-to-Work opportunities include:

informal apprenticeships

mentorships

job shadowing experiences

touring a local Dietetic Technician employer

internships

volunteer work with a Dietetic Technician employer

community service work with an agency

The most common method of entering this occupation is by applying directly to food service management or nutritional care organizations. Assistance in locating a job may be available from your school placement office or from a local Michigan Works! office.  In addition, you should access and search the Internet's on-line employment services sites such as:

American Dietetic Association

Michigan Jobs & Career Portal

Michigan Talent Bank

simplyhired.com

Indeed | one search. all jobs.

Yahoo!hotjobs

CareerBuilder  

MONSTER.COM

You should also enter an electronic resume on these on-line services.

EARNINGS AND ADVANCEMENT

Earnings of a Dietetic Technician may vary according to the individual's education, responsibility and experience; type of employer; and the geographic location.

Hourly earnings for Dietetic Technicians in Michigan hospitals were (mid 2009):

Some hospitals and similar institutions pay more for work performed during the evenings, nights, and weekends.

Depending on the employer, Dietetic Technicians may receive paid vacations, life and medical insurance, paid holidays, and a pension plan. These benefits are usually paid for, at least in part, by the employer.

A career ladder for Dietetic Technicians may be: Dietetic Technician, kitchen manager or certified Dietetic Technician, Dietitian or administrator and consulting Dietitian. The advancement of a Dietetic Technician to a kitchen manager position is based on experience and successful job performance. Those who complete a program approved by the American Dietetic Association may take an examination to become a certified Dietetic Technician. Others, who complete a baccalaureate degree program in related areas, may become Dietitians.

[back to top]

EMPLOYMENT AND OUTLOOK

Nationally, there were about 25,000 Dietetic Technicians employed in 2006. Employment is expected to increase faster than the average for all occupations through the year 2016. In addition to openings resulting from growth, many additional openings will occur to replace workers who transfer to other jobs, retire, or die. The widespread emphasis on health care and nutrition; the availability of health care and insurance; and a significant increase in the number of people in need of health care services are all factors related to the positive job outlook for this occupation. The industry distribution for Dietetic Technicians looked like this:

To find employers, click Employer/Business Locator.

There are about 825 Dietetic Technicians employed in Michigan. All of these Technicians work in the health services industry in hospitals, nursing and personal care facilities, and out-patient care facilities.

Employment of Dietetic Technicians is expected to increase faster than the average for all occupations through the year 2016. An average of 30 annual openings is expected, with 10 due to growth and 20 due to replacement of those who retire, die, or leave the labor force for other reasons. Additional openings will occur as workers change jobs or occupations.

The broad availability of health care benefits, combined with the growth in the number of older persons, has increased the demand for medical services offered by Dietetic Technicians.

MICHIGAN 'S EMPLOYMENT OUTLOOK TO 2016

SOURCES OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

 Copyright © 2009 Michigan Department of Energy, Labor & Economic Growth