Dietician

Dieticians are mainly concerned with the scientific study of a person’s nutritional requirements and with the way in which these nutrients interact and are used by the body, both in illness and in health. They strive to maintain good health and combat diseases in people from all walks of life and from varying socio-economic circumstances.

Job Characteristics

• Planning and directing the preparation of therapeutic and other diets for individuals and groups in hospitals or workers in particular sectors.



• Formulating policies concerning nutrition and planning strategies to execute official policies and to monitor their execution.



• Providing the public with information on how to maintain good health and prevent nutrition-related diseases.



• Training dietetic food-service management and food-service supervision students or lecturing at tertiary institutions



• Planning and executing research projects related to food, nutrition and the nutritional status of the population.

Requirements

Secondary Education
Possession of at least a HIGCSE Grade 12, or equivalent qualification, with matriculation exemption is required to be admitted to South African universities.
  Compulsory subjects: Mathematics and at least one Science subject (South Africa)
Recommended subject: Biology (South Africa)
 
Tertiary Education
The four-year B. degree in Dietetics or Nutrition includes practical training and is offered at most South African universities. Qualified dieticians must register with the HPCSA before being able to practice. Thereafter a B. Sc. (Med.) Honours degree can be completed if specialisation is desired.

The University of Cape Town offers the B. Sc. (Med.) Hons. Dietetic degree that must be preceded by a B. Sc. degree with Physiology and/or Biochemistry.
 
No training is currently offered in Namibia, but dieticians who would like to practice in Namibia must register with the Allied Health Services Professions Act.

Personality
The prospective dietician should be calm, assertive, have sound interpersonal relationships, leadership skills and managerial qualities.

Work Opportunities
Dieticians are employed at hospitals as well as food and catering services. Self-employment is a possibility if sufficient experience has been gained.

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