What does a Dietetic Technician do?
Dietetic Technicians work with registered dietitians to plan menus and prepare food for those patients and clients with specific dietary restrictions. Dietetic technicians may observe a patient with dietary issues, analyze menus, standardize recipes, test emerging food products and provide dietitians with assistance and support to benefit their patients.
Types of Work Environments
- Hospitals
- Clinics
- Nursing homes and retirement centers
- Hospices
- Research facilities
- Schools
- Health clubs
- Food vending and distributing companies
Education and Training Requirements
Dietetic technicians complete a two-year associate's degree. This includes 450 hours of practical field experience at community programs, healthcare facilities, and foodservice facilities. There is also a national certification examination administered by the Commission on Dietetic Registration and a series of continuing professional education requirements to maintain that registration.
Salary
According to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics, the median salary for a dietetic technician is approximately $28,400 per year.
Professional Organization
The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
Learn More
- Meet a Registered Dietitian Lindsay.
- Explore what Dietetic programs the Cleveland Clinic is affiliated with.
- Visit the Cleveland Clinic's Dietetic Internship Program site to learn more about our program.