Dietetic Technician
Dietetic Technician Job Description
Dietetic technicians work side by side with dieticians in order to plan menus and prepare food for people that have special nutritional and dietary needs. They also provide nutrition education and help people understand how to make smarter food choices so that they can live healthier lives. Most dietetic technicians work in hospitals and nursing homes, though prisons, day care centers, and weight management clinics also procure their services.
Dietetic Technician Salary Statistics as of 2015
Average annual salary for a Dietetic Technician is $32283 based on statistics in the U.S. as of 2015. The highest salary recorded was $45425. The lowest salary reported was $24723. These figures will vary on a state to state basis as these are averages across all 50 states.
Median hourly wage for a Dietetic Technician is $16.05 based on statistics in the U.S. as of 2015. The highest hourly rate recorded was $22.59. The lowest hourly rate recorded was $12.29. These figures will vary on a state to state basis as these are averages across all 50 states.
Bonuses for a Dietetic Technician are based on the years of experience using statistics from the U.S. as of 2015. The average bonus recorded was $125 from people with 15+ years of experience. The average bonus recorded was $0 from people with under 1 year of experience.
These are the highest paying states for a Dietetic Technician. These numbers are based of the median annual salary as of 2015.
Illinois – n/a
Missouri – n/a
These are the highest paying cities for a Dietetic Technician. These numbers are based of the median annual salary as of 2015.
1-4 years –
5-9 years –
10-19 years –
This chart outlines the average annual salary of a Dietetic Technician from the past 5 years. In 2015 the average annual salary was $32283 while in 2007 it was just $29938.68
Specialized Fields of Dietetic Technicians
- Dietetic Technician Medical Nutritionist: Dietetic technicians in the medical field often work in hospital or clinical environments, and are responsible for reporting any changes to their patient’s nutritional needs or physical condition to the dietician.
- Nutrition Education: Some dietetic technicians work for schools or public foundations in order to educate parents, children and others on the importance of proper nutrition. They create lesson plans and educational campaigns that promote healthy food choices.
- Nutritional Planning and Management: Dietetic technicians in the food services field are responsible for the planning and management of food service for nursing homes and school cafeterias. They plan menus, ingredient lists, order and track inventory, create budgets, oversee the preparation of food, and ensure the kitchen meets the highest of safety standards.
Work Environment
The work environment of dietetic technicians depends highly on the specialized nature of their particular job. Many dietetic technicians work in large commercial kitchens with hot and humid conditions. They are usually on their feet most of the day and are prone to minor cooking injuries, such as burns and cuts. Dietetic technicians who work directly with patients in hospital or clinical settings must be able to work with those that are sick. Empathy and teamwork is required in order to ensure their patients receive quality care. In either environment, dietetic technicians can work all hours of the day, including weekends and holidays.
How to Become a Dietetic Technician
Those interested in becoming a dietetic technician must attain a two-year Associates Degree from an accredited private or community college. The coursework will need to revolve around general science, nutrition sciences, and foodservice management.
After attaining a specialized Associates Degree, you will then be required to take an extremely in-depth training program approved by the Commission on Accreditation for Dietetics Education, otherwise known as CADE. This is an intensive program that consists of 450 hours of supervised practice working in commercial kitchens and food preparation environments. The comprehensive training will cover how to effectively communicate with patients to determine proper nutritional goals, how to prepare a variety of foods that meet varying nutritional requirements, menu planning, portion sizing, food preparation economics, and food safety and storage protocols.
After the successful completion of the required CADE training, you will need to pass the Commission on Dietetic Registration’s (CDR) national examination. Upon completion of the required training and passing this exam you will attain certification to begin a career as a dietetic technician. Once certified, you must undergo continued education in order to maintain certification.
Required:
- Two years of college to attain Associates Degree
- 450 hours of comprehensive training
- Pass CDR national exam
Job Outlook
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment opportunities for dietetic technicians will continue to rise quite steadily. The rising need of dietetic technicians is largely due to the U.S.’s rapidly aging population, in addition to increased nutritional awareness and practices. Employment growth is forecast to be the highest in nursing homes and residential care facilities.
Gender Statistics |
Related Jobs |
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6%
94%
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Based on our stats gathered across the U.S. 6% of Dietetic Technicians were males while 94% were females. These numbers are based on averages across all states combined. Some individual states may have a much different ratio however.
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Past Jobs Diet Technician Registered (DTR) |
Future Jobs Registered Dietitian |
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