
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 hours | 37.5 for full time, part time roles available. |
You could work | – |
Benefits |
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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 level | Role | Degree? |
---|---|---|
3 and 4 | Dietetic 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 4 | Dietetic Assistant Practitioner Works more independently, with less direct supervision, under a qualified dietician. | Yes |
5 – 7 | Dietitian Provides dietetic advice to children and adults with learning disabilities | Yes |
8 | Advanced 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.