Become a Dietitian

Dietitians are experts on food and nutrition. They are uniquely trained to translate the science of nutrition into
healthy food choices. Dietitians play a major role in health care, industry, government, and education. They
contribute to the health, prosperity, and well-being of Canadians.

Education and Professional Requirements

Dietitians have successfully completed both:

ƒ an undergraduate degree in food and nutrition, from a university program that is accredited by the
Dietitians of Canada (DC) or an undergraduate degree and additional course work, which has been
determined to meet DC’s academic requirements.

ƒ a dietetic internship program or practicum training program that is accredited by DC or a graduate

degree plus documentation of a set of competency statements that demonstrate specialized
knowledge and skills. Typically a dietetic internship or practicum training program is about 40
weeks and takes place in a health care or community based facility.

In most provinces, to practice as Registered Dietitians, it is also necessary to pass the Canadian Dietetic
Registration Exam as a requirement of provincial dietetic regulatory body registration.

The term “dietitian” is legally protected in each province to ensure that only those who have met the
professional requirements can use the title.

University Course Work

Dietitians study a variety of subjects ranging from social sciences and communications, to chemistry,
biochemistry, physiology, microbiology, statistics, computers, management, food, nutrition, and food service.
They apply their knowledge and skills in all of these subject areas to enable their clients to achieve their own
food and nutrition goals.

Employment Outlook

Because it is now recognized that healthy eating reduces the risk of chronic disease, dietitians have assumed
important roles in helping Canadians eat well. In fact, dietetics is one of the fastest growing job sectors in the
country.

Employment rates for dietitians are very promising. A recent survey of internship graduates shows over 90% of
new graduates working in a full-time dietitian position within less than 2 months of graduation.
Work Settings

Most people think that dietitians only work in hospitals but times have changed! Today they work in many
settings:

ƒ acute care hospitals, chronic care and long ƒ food & pharmaceutical industries
term care facilities ƒ commodity organizations
ƒ home care programs ƒ food service/catering companies
ƒ community health centres ƒ research facilities
ƒ public health units ƒ fitness centres
ƒ aboriginal health centres ƒ media
ƒ schools, colleges & universities ƒ private practice/consulting.
ƒ government

Key Roles

Being a dietitian offers many opportunities for a rewarding career. Today, dietitians work with clients at all
levels – from individuals and groups, to organizations and the population-at-large.

Dietitians have careers as:

ƒ Clinical dietitians who work as part of the health care team and assess the nutritional status of individuals,
develop care plans, monitor the effectiveness of the nutrition intervention, and provide counseling to clients

ƒ administrative dietitians who manage large scale food service operations to ensure the safe, sanitary,
and cost effective preparation and distribution of meals

ƒ consulting dietitians who provide expertise in nutrition, diet therapy, and food service to individual clients,
corporate health and wellness programs, and the media

ƒ public health dietitian/nutritionists who assess the nutrition needs of their communities, and develop
nutrition programs and services to meet those needs

ƒ research dietitians who conduct and direct studies to answer critical questions that will enhance nutritional
care and improve food service

ƒ community health dietitians who develop programs and services to improve nutritional well-being and
access to healthy food and to address specific nutrition needs of groups within their community

ƒ dietitians in education who teach nutrition, food chemistry or food service management in schools, colleges
& universities

ƒ dietitians in business who assist the private sector by providing food and nutrition expertise in product
research and development, sales, marketing and communication.

ƒ dietitians in government who develop food and nutrition policies and programs that will improve the
nutritional health of the population.
DC is a professional association that represents over 5,000 dietitians across Canada.

DC sets national standards for undergraduate dietetic programs, dietetic internships, and graduate degree
practicum programs.

Visit DC’s website at www.dietitians.ca to find out more about “A Career in Nutrition.”

© Dietitians of Canada, 2002.

480 University Avenue, Suite 604

Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5G 1V2
Telephone : 416-597-0857
Fax : 416-596-0603
E- mail: centralinfo@dietitians.ca
Web Site: www.dietitians.ca