Western Washington Area Health Education Center
2033 Sixth Avenue, Ste. 310
Seattle, WA 98121
Ph: 206.441.7137
Fax: 206.441.7158
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WWAHEC
2033 Sixth Avenue, Ste. 310
Seattle, WA 98121
Ph: 206.441.7137
Fax: 206.441.7158
Health
Professionals/
Student Placement
Health Career
Information
Health Career Ambassadors
Health Career
Job Descriptions
HOPE
Preceptor & Site Resources
Scholarship Info
Distance Learning
Volunteer/Retired
Providers Program
K-12 Learning Resources
aka Science
Allied Health
Health Career
Information
HOPE
Health Career Ambassadors
Health Career
Job Descriptions
Scholarship Info
Distance Learning
Statewide Office
of Rural Health
Community Health
Assessment, Planning
& Development
Primary Care
Provider Recruitment
Shop
Health Career Information
Dietetic Technician
Job description
A dietetic technician is specially trained in the areas of food and nutrition, and typically works as a member of the food service or health care team under the supervision of a registered dietitian. Dietetic technicians work in hospitals, nursing homes, and other institutional settings where they participate in food-service management and nutritional care services. A dietetic technician handles the daily and ongoing work tasks for the food service team.
Activities may include
●
act as administrative assistant to dietitians
●
assist in assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation of food plans
●
provide nutritional education with the supervision of a dietitian
●
take responsibility for food service operations
●
develop menus and recipes
●
purchase food and monitor inventory
●
supervise food service personnel
●
take a patient's diet history
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use a computer to chart patient's progress
●
set up work schedules
Salaries and benefits*
Earnings vary widely depending on the employer, the education and experience of the dietetic technician, geographic location, scope of responsibilities, and supply of applicants. In the Pacific Northwest, Diet Technicians working for health care facilities average $2,118 to $2,421 per month. Nationally, entry level technician's earn $20,000 to $30,000 per year. Those at the top of the pay scale may earn $30,000 to $40,000. Most registered dietetic technicians work for a hospital or institution where they receive full benefits.
Most dietetic technicians work 40 hours per week, in 8-hour shifts and may work weekends and evenings. Some may be on their feet most of the time and under pressure to work quickly and accurately.
Training and requirements
To be a registered dietetic technician, one must complete a 2-year college program in food and nutrition, have job experience, and pass the registration examination for the Dietetic Technician. Upon successful completion of the requirements, a DTR (dietetic technician registered) can be used after the last name. Training includes a supervised clinical practicum that may last a few weeks to a whole semester.
In Washington, training is available at Shoreline Community College and Spokane Falls Community College.
Necessary skills
●
interest and knowledge in food and health
●
ability to communicate well with a wide variety of people
●
ability to work as a team member
●
good organizational skills
●
attention to detail
●
good record keeping skills
Licensure/Certification
After the completion of a two year ADA certified college program and fulfilling a job experience requirement, students are eligible to take an exam and become a DTR (dietetic technician registered).
Helpful high school courses
Include English, health, home economics, biology, chemistry, business math, and computer science.
Colleges/Vocational Schools in Washington State
●
Shoreline Community College
16101 Greenwood Ave. N
Shoreline, WA 98133-5696
(206) 546-4101
●
Spokane Falls Community College
3410 W Ft. George Wright Dr.
Spokane, WA 99224-5288
(509) 533-3500
Outlook*
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment in this field is expected to grow about as fast as the average for all occupations through the year 2005 due to increased emphasis on disease prevention, a growing and aging population, and public interest in nutrition. Growth is expected to be fastest in nursing homes, residential care facilities, and physician clinics, and slowest in hospitals.
Professional Associations
●
American Dietetic Association
216 W. Jackson Blvd., Suite 800
Chicago, IL 60606-6995
(312) 899-0040
http://www.eatright.org
●
American Society for Nutritional Sciences
9650 Rockville Pike
Bethesda, MD 20814-3990
(301) 530-7050
http://www.asns.org
* Note: General career descriptions are updated as necessary, however salary expectations and projected outlooks have not been updated since 2000. Go to Workforce Explorer Washington and search your career for the most up-to-date salary and job growth expectations. Washington Healthcare Careers and Workforce College are also good resources for job information.
For additional information, contact your school's career counselor or
WWAHEC
2033 Sixth Avenue, Ste. 310
Seattle, WA 98121
Ph: 206.441.7137
Fax: 206.441.7158
Page updated 9/15/04