Dietitian

Introduction

“Dietitians interpret the science of nutrition to improve health and treat diseases/conditions by educating and giving practical, personalised advice to clients, patients, carers and colleagues.”

 (British Dietetic Association)            

Dietitians work with individuals, families, care providers, and other services to ensure that peoples nutritional needs are met. Dietitians assess, diagnose, and treat dietary problems, using processes, evidence-base and patient preferences, to plan interventions. Advanced communication and behaviour change skills are implemented to work with the person and their care teams to support appropriate lifestyle and food choices.

Dietitians working with people with learning disabilities support a range of dietetic needs including nutritional support, enteral feeding, and weight management.

Salary, hours and benefits

Average salary£24,907 to £44,503.
Typical hours37.5 for full time, part time roles available.
You could work
Benefits
  • At least 27 days of holiday each year,
  • Training and study leave for sponsored courses,
  • Occupational health services,
  • Membership of the NHS Pension Scheme,
  • Professional development opportunities
  • Opportunities for flexible working.

What you’ll do

Day-to-day tasks

Your day-to-day duties may include:

•assessing, diagnosing, and treating dietary and nutritional problems

•translating scientific and medical research related to food and health into practical and accessible guidance in line with the Accessible Information Standard

•providing training and education to patients, their care teams and other services about diet and nutrition

•supervising dietetic work

•liaising with care providers, families, LD colleagues, primary care, acute care, social care, education teams and many more

•advocating for health needs as required to achieve effective plans and outcomes

Working environment

Dietitians working with people with learning disabilities tend to work in either community learning disability teams or dietetic teams; or general hospitals.

You could work on a freelance basis too.


Characteristics and skills required

You’ll need: 

  • an interest in science and food,
  • an interest in people and their lifestyles,
  • an interest in equality and social determinants of health,
  • an awareness of the Mental Capacity Act,
  • an awareness of health literacy, the accessible communication standard, and total communication approaches,
  • communication skills to share information across the health and social care sectors,
  • a positive and motivating attitude,
  • an understanding approach,
  • patience,
  • a sense of humour,
  • to explain complex things simply,
  • organisation skills,
  • business skills for freelance work.

Restrictions and requirements

You’ll need to pass enhanced background checks.


Career path and progression

There are a range of roles within dietetics, from support to leadership:

Career Framework levelRoleDegree?
3 and 4Dietetic Support Worker (DSW)
Works under the supervision of a qualified dietitian to support their training and ensure everything is done properly. Dietetic support workers (DSW) work under the supervision of a qualified dietitian to support their training and ensure everything is done properly.
No
3 and 4Dietetic Assistant Practitioner
Works more independently, with less direct supervision, under a qualified dietician.
Yes
5 – 7Dietitian
Provides dietetic advice to children and adults with learning disabilities
Yes
8Advanced Clinical Practitioner
Demonstrates highly developed expert knowledge and skills within dietetics.
Masters degree

How to become a Dietitian

To qualify as a dietitian, you are required to undertake an approved programme at a university. All dietetic programmes are approved by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).

You can get into this job through:

  • a university course (undergraduate or postgraduate programme).

University

You can do a degree in dietetics, which is usually a BSc (Hons) degree. This degree is either three or four years in length.

There are postgraduate programmes that are two years in length and can either lead to a Postgraduate Diploma (PgDip) in dietetics or a Masters (MSc) qualification in dietetics.

Entry requirements

You’ll usually need:

  • 2 or 3 A levels, including chemistry, maths, or biology,
  • five GCSEs (grades A-C), including English language and maths,
  • or BTEC, HND, or HNC which includes science subjects,
  • relevant NVQ,
  • science-based access course,
  • equivalent level Scottish or Irish qualifications.

To get onto a postgraduate course you will normally be expected to hold an honours degree that contains an acceptable level of human physiology and biochemistry.

From within health and social care

If you are already working in the health and social care sector and you are looking for a new challenge, then you can change career to become a dietitian within learning disability support and care. To qualify as a dietitian, you are required to undertake an approved programme at a university. You can do a degree in dietetics, which is usually a BSc (Hons) degree. This degree is either three or four years in length.

There are postgraduate programmes that are two years in length and can either lead to a Postgraduate Diploma (PgDip) in dietetics or a Masters (MSc) qualification in dietetics.

From outside health and social care

If you want to work in health and social care and you are looking for a new challenge, then you can change career to become a dietitian within learning disability support and care. To qualify as a dietitian, you are required to undertake an approved programme at a university. You can do a degree in dietetics, which is usually a BSc (Hons) degree. This degree is either three or four years in length.

There are postgraduate programmes that are two years in length and can either lead to a Postgraduate Diploma (PgDip) in dietetics or a Masters (MSc) qualification in dietetics.


Financial support

You will be entitled to receive between £6,000 and £8,000 a year towards your studies while at university. Your personal circumstances may mean you could receive more. You’ll never have to pay it back.


Current opportunities

Jobs in England

Most NHS trusts advertise their vacancies on NHS Jobs. Some advertise on trust websites. You can find a list of trusts on NHS Choices.

Real-life story: Briony

I worked as support worker, a care manager, and a teacher before I trained to be a dietitian, graduating at the age of 32. Having worked with people within mental health and learning disabilities, as well as my time as a teacher; I knew I wanted a role bringing all these skills together. Now I’m in my dream job as a specialist learning disability dietitian and the clinical lead for dietetics in Cornwall.

Find our more about Briony’s story