Dietetic Technicians

What the job really is

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.

At a glance

• Sector: Healthcare Practitioners
• O*NET-SOC code: 29-2051
• O*NET job zone: 3 — medium preparation
• Work sample tasks on file: 12
• Tools and technologies listed: 12

What you actually do

Work sample tasks recorded for this occupation:

• Observe and monitor patient food intake and body weight, and report changes, progress, and dietary problems to dietician.
• Conduct nutritional assessments of individuals, including obtaining and evaluating individuals' dietary histories, to plan nutritional programs.
• Prepare a major meal, following recipes and determining group food quantities.
• Supervise food production or service or assist dietitians or nutritionists in food service supervision or planning.
• Plan menus or diets or guide individuals or families in food selection, preparation, or menu planning, based upon nutritional needs and established guidelines.
• Develop job specifications, job descriptions, or work schedules.
• Attend interdisciplinary meetings with other health care professionals to discuss patient care.
• Provide dietitians with assistance researching food, nutrition, or food service systems.
• Select, schedule, or conduct orientation or in-service education programs.
• Analyze menus or recipes, standardize recipes, or test new products.
• Determine food and beverage costs and assist in implementing cost control procedures.
• Refer patients to other relevant services to provide continuity of care.

Tools and technology

MEDITECH software, Microsoft Access, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Office software, Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft PowerPoint, Microsoft Word, Appointment scheduling software, Axxya Systems Nutritionist Pro, Body-fat calipers, CBORD Nutrition Service Suite, Commercial kitchen food slicers

What employers expect you to already be comfortable with.

Where this job leads

Related occupations — the usual moves up and sideways:

• Dietitians and Nutritionists
• Health Education Specialists
• Home Health Aides
• Psychiatric Technicians
• Community Health Workers
• Exercise Physiologists
• Nursing Assistants
• Registered Nurses

Getting in

O*NET assigns this occupation job zone 3 (medium preparation). The related occupations above are the realistic routes in and out.

Find openings

Browse the verified job sources directory, or explore more occupations.

Check this against the source

O*NET OnLine: Dietetic Technicians — the authoritative public-domain profile this page is derived from, including the full task list, reported skills and the wage estimates for your region.

Derived and rewritten from the public-domain O*NET database (U.S. Department of Labor / Employment and Training Administration). Figures are observations, not promises — always confirm salary, licensing and visa requirements with the employer and the relevant authority.