Occupation

Dietetic Technicians

Human Advantage 79%

Significant human skills needed

AI Automation Risk Low Risk
2.6 / 10

This occupation requires complex human judgment, social interaction, and creative problem-solving that are difficult to automate.

Assist in the provision of food service and nutritional programs, under the supervision of a dietitian. May plan and produce meals based on established guidelines, teach principles of food and nutrition, or counsel individuals.

Also Known As: Certified Dietary Manager (CDM), Child Nutrition Assistant, Clinical Dietetic Technician, Cook Chill Technician (CCT), Diet Aide, Diet Assistant, Diet Clerk, Diet Tech (Diet Technician) +19 more

Video

Core Tasks

  1. Observe and monitor patient food intake and body weight, and report changes, progress, and dietary problems to dietician.
  2. Conduct nutritional assessments of individuals, including obtaining and evaluating individuals' dietary histories, to plan nutritional programs.
  3. Prepare a major meal, following recipes and determining group food quantities.
  4. Supervise food production or service or assist dietitians or nutritionists in food service supervision or planning.
  5. Plan menus or diets or guide individuals or families in food selection, preparation, or menu planning, based upon nutritional needs and established guidelines.
  6. Develop job specifications, job descriptions, or work schedules.
  7. Attend interdisciplinary meetings with other health care professionals to discuss patient care.
  8. Provide dietitians with assistance researching food, nutrition, or food service systems.
  9. Select, schedule, or conduct orientation or in-service education programs.
  10. Analyze menus or recipes, standardize recipes, or test new products.

Supplemental Tasks (3)

  1. Determine food and beverage costs and assist in implementing cost control procedures.
  2. Refer patients to other relevant services to provide continuity of care.
  3. Deliver speeches on diet, nutrition, or health to promote healthy eating habits and illness prevention and treatment.

Education & Training

Job Zone 3 Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
Education: Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Experience: Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
On-the-Job Training: Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.

Education Level Distribution

Percentage of workers in this occupation with each education level.

Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree)
35%
Post-Secondary Certificate - awarded for training completed after high school (for example, in agriculture or natural resources, computer services, personal or culinary services, engineering technologies, healthcare, construction trades, mechanic and repair technologies, or precision production)
27%
Some College Courses
15%
Less than a High School Diploma
10%
High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
8%
Bachelor's Degree
7%

Technology & Tools

Hot Technologies

  • MEDITECH software
  • Microsoft Access
  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft Office software
  • Microsoft Outlook
  • Microsoft PowerPoint
  • Microsoft Word

Software (29)

  • Appointment scheduling software
  • Axxya Systems Nutritionist Pro
  • CBORD Nutrition Service Suite
  • Computrition Nutrition Care Management NCM Select
  • CyberSoft NutriBase
  • Cybersoft Primero Software Suite
  • Desktop publishing software
  • DietMaster Systems Clinical Nutrition
  • ESHA Research The Food Processor
  • Food Service Solutions FoodCo
  • Gnutrition
  • LunchByte Systems NUTRIKIDS
  • NutriGenie Optimal Nutrition
  • Patient electronic medical record EMR software
  • Presentation software
  • Spreadsheet software
  • The Nutrition Company FoodWorks
  • USDA Child Nutrition Database
  • ValuSoft MasterCook
  • Web browser software
  • Word processing software
  • eTritionWare

Tools & Equipment (14)

  • Body-fat calipers
  • Commercial kitchen food slicers
  • Commercial kitchen knives
  • Commercial kitchen microwave ovens
  • Commercial kitchen mixers
  • Commercial kitchen ovens
  • Commercial kitchen stoves
  • Desktop computers
  • Food scales
  • Laptop computers
  • Medical floor scales
  • Medical measuring tapes
  • Personal computers
  • Programmable calculators

Where This Career Leads

Career progression organized by specialty track and experience level.

Personal Care Services Hospitality, Events, & Tourism

Zone 3
Dietetic Technicians You are here

Physical Health Advanced Manufacturing

Zone 2
Zone 3
Dietetic Technicians You are here

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