Skip navigation

Dietitians and Nutritionists - 29-1031.00

O*NET-SOC Description

Plan and conduct food service or nutritional programs to assist in the promotion of health and control of disease. May supervise activities of a department providing quantity food services, counsel individuals, or conduct nutritional research.

Sample of Reported Job Titles

  • Clinical Dietician
  • Clinical Dietitian
  • Clinical Nutritionist
  • Dietitian
  • Nutritionist
  • Oncology Dietitian
  • Outpatient Dietitian
  • Registered Dietician
  • Registered Dietitian
  • Renal Dietitian

SOC Occupation Groups

Related Occupations

Tasks

  • Advise food service managers and organizations on sanitation, safety procedures, menu development, budgeting, and planning to assist with establishment, operation, and evaluation of food service facilities and nutrition programs.
  • Advise patients and their families on nutritional principles, dietary plans, diet modifications, and food selection and preparation.
  • Assess nutritional needs, diet restrictions, and current health plans to develop and implement dietary-care plans and provide nutritional counseling.
  • Confer with design, building, and equipment personnel to plan for construction and remodeling of food service units.
  • Consult with physicians and health care personnel to determine nutritional needs and diet restrictions of patient or client.
  • Coordinate diet counseling services.
  • Coordinate recipe development and standardization and develop new menus for independent food service operations.
  • Counsel individuals and groups on basic rules of good nutrition, healthy eating habits, and nutrition monitoring to improve their quality of life.
  • Develop curriculum and prepare manuals, visual aids, course outlines, and other materials used in teaching.
  • Develop policies for food service or nutritional programs to assist in health promotion and disease control.
  • Develop recipes and menus to address special nutrition needs, such as low glycemic, low histamine, or gluten- or allergen-free.
  • Evaluate laboratory tests in preparing nutrition recommendations.
  • Incorporate patient cultural, ethnic, or religious preferences and needs in the development of nutrition plans.
  • Inspect meals served for conformance to prescribed diets and standards of palatability and appearance.
  • Make recommendations regarding public policy, such as nutrition labeling, food fortification, or nutrition standards for school programs.
  • Manage quantity food service departments or clinical and community nutrition services.
  • Monitor food service operations to ensure conformance to nutritional, safety, sanitation and quality standards.
  • Organize, develop, analyze, test, and prepare special meals, such as low-fat, low-cholesterol, or chemical-free meals.
  • Plan and conduct training programs in dietetics, nutrition, and institutional management and administration for medical students, health-care personnel, and the general public.
  • Plan and prepare grant proposals to request program funding.
  • Plan, conduct, and evaluate dietary, nutritional, and epidemiological research.
  • Plan, conduct, and evaluate nutrigenomic or nutrigenetic research.
  • Prepare and administer budgets for food, equipment, and supplies.
  • Purchase food in accordance with health and safety codes.
  • Record and evaluate patient and family health and food history, including symptoms, environmental toxic exposure, allergies, medication factors, and preventive health-care measures.
  • Select, train, and supervise workers who plan, prepare, and serve meals.
  • Test new food products and equipment.
  • Write research reports and other publications to document and communicate research findings.

Detailed Work Activities

  • Advise communities or institutions regarding health or safety issues.
  • Analyze laboratory findings.
  • Analyze patient data to determine patient needs or treatment goals.
  • Collaborate with healthcare professionals to plan or provide treatment.
  • Compile data or documentation.
  • Conduct health or safety training programs.
  • Conduct research to increase knowledge about medical issues.
  • Consult with others regarding safe or healthy equipment or facilities.
  • Create new recipes or food presentations.
  • Design public or employee health programs.
  • Devise research or testing protocols.
  • Direct healthcare delivery programs.
  • Evaluate data quality.
  • Interpret cultural or religious information for others.
  • Manage healthcare operations.
  • Manage preparation of special meals or diets.
  • Monitor medical facility activities to ensure adherence to standards or regulations.
  • Monitor nutrition related activities of individuals or groups.
  • Order medical supplies or equipment.
  • Plan menu options.
  • Prepare healthcare training materials.
  • Present medical research reports.
  • Provide health and wellness advice to patients, program participants, or caregivers.
  • Supervise medical support personnel.
  • Train caregivers or other non-medical personnel.
  • Train medical providers.

Military Crosswalk Titles

  • Diet Therapy (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Diet Therapy Apprentice (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Diet Therapy Craftsman (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Diet Therapy Helper (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Diet Therapy Journeyman (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Diet Therapy Manager (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Diet Therapy Superintendent (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Dietetics (Coast Guard - Commissioned Officer only)
  • Dietetics (Navy - Commissioned Officer only)
  • Dietitian (Air Force - Commissioned Officer only)
  • Dietitian (Army - Commissioned Officer only)
  • Dietitian (Navy - Commissioned Officer only)
  • Dietitian (Navy - Warrant Officer only)
  • Dietitian (Space Force - Commissioned Officer only)
  • Food Service Officer, Medical Facility (Navy - Commissioned or Warrant Officer)
  • Food Service Technician (Army - Warrant Officer only)
  • Medical Specialist Corps Officer (Army - Commissioned Officer only)
  • Nutrition Care Specialist (Army - Enlisted)
  • Occupational Therapy (Army - Commissioned Officer only)
  • Physical Therapy (Army - Commissioned Officer only)
  • Physician Assistant (Army - Commissioned Officer only)
  • Specialist Allied Operations (Army - Commissioned Officer only)

Apprenticeship Crosswalk Titles

No information available.

DOT Crosswalk Titles

  • Community Dietitian
  • Dietitian, Chief
  • Dietitian, Clinical
  • Dietitian, Consultant
  • Dietitian, Research
  • Dietitian, Teaching