What skills does a dietitian need?

A dietitian needs 76 essential skills including hygiene in a health care setting, eating disorders, counselling methods, health care legislation, biological chemistry. Core competencies include .

Will AI replace dietitian jobs?

The AI disruption score for dietitian is 22/100 (low risk). Some tasks may be automated but the role will evolve rather than disappear entirely.

HealthcareHealth professionalsISCO 2265

dietitian

Dietitians assess specific nutritional requirements of populations or individuals throughout their lives and translate this into advice which will maintain, reduce risk to, or restore people’s health. Using evidence-based approaches, dietitians work to empower individuals, families and groups to provide or select food which is nutritionally adequate, safe, tasty and sustainable. Beyond healthcare, dietitians improve the nutritional environment for all through governments, industry, academia and research.

European Skills Framework

Skills and knowledge areas required for this occupation based on European classification.

Essential (76)

hygiene in a health care settinghygiene in a health care settingThe procedures related to maintaining a hygienic environment within a health care setting such as hospitals and clinics. It can range from hand washing to cleaning and disinfection of medical equipmen...eating disorderseating disordersThe various types, pathophysiology and psychology of eating disorders such as anorexia, bulimia, binge-eating disorders and how they can be treated.counselling methodscounselling methodsCounselling techniques used in different settings and with various groups and individuals, especially concerning methods of supervision and mediation in the counselling process.health care legislationhealth care legislationThe patients` rights and responsibilities of health practitioners and the possible repercussions and prosecutions in relation to medical treatment negligence or malpractice.biological chemistrybiological chemistryBiological chemistry is a medical specialty mentioned in the EU Directive 2005/36/EC.calculation of food energycalculation of food energyThe summing up of the total energy of food by adding together the energy provided by the proteins, total fat, carbohydrates and dietary fibers contained in one meal or food product.medical terminologymedical terminologyThe meaning of medical terms and abbreviations, of medical prescriptions and various medical specialties and when to use it correctly.health care occupation-specific ethicshealth care occupation-specific ethicsThe moral standards and procedures, ethical questions and obligations specific to occupations in a health care setting such as respect for human dignity, self-determination, informed consent and patie...supervision of personssupervision of personsThe act of directing one individual or a group of individuals in a certain activity.human physiologyhuman physiologyThe science that studies the human organs and its interactions and mechanisms.pharmacologypharmacologyPharmacology is a medical specialty mentioned in the EU Directive 2005/36/EC.nutrition of healthy personsnutrition of healthy personsThe type of nutrition needed for healthy individuals of all ages.composition of dietscomposition of dietsThe planning, selection, composition and manufacturing of diets for healthy and ill persons.obesityobesityThe causes, pathophysiology and effects on health of the excess of body fat.food legislationfood legislationLegislation related to the food and feed industry including food manufacturing, hygiene, safety, raw materials, additives, GMOs, labelling, environmental and trade regulations.food sciencefood scienceThe study of the physical, biological, and chemical makeup of food and the scientific concepts underlying food processing and nutrition.food hygiene rulesfood hygiene rulesThe set of national and international regulations for hygiene of foodstuffs and food safety, e.g. regulation (EC) 852/2004.paediatricspaediatricsPaediatrics is a medical specialty mentioned in the EU Directive 2005/36/EC.rehabilitationrehabilitationThe methods and procedures used to help an ill or injured person restore lost skills and regain self-sufficiency and control.sociologysociologyThe group behaviour and dynamics, societal trends and influences, human migrations, ethnicity, cultures and their history and origins.human anatomyhuman anatomyThe dynamic relationship of human structure and function and the muscosceletal, cardiovascular, respiratory, digestive, endocrine, urinary, reproductive, integumentary and nervous systems; normal and ...epidemiologyepidemiologyThe branch of medicine that deals with the incidence, distribution and control of diseases. The disease aetiology, transmission, outbreak investigation, and comparisons of treatment effects.clinical examinations in dieteticsclinical examinations in dieteticsMethods used to evaluate clinical skills in dietetics.medical informaticsmedical informaticsThe processes and tools used for the analysis and dissemination of medical data through computerized systems.psychologypsychologyThe human behaviour and performance with individual differences in ability, personality, interests, learning, and motivation.food allergiesfood allergiesThe types of food allergies within the sector, which substances trigger allergies, and how they can be replaced or eliminated (if possible).nutritional adequacy of food intakenutritional adequacy of food intakeThe daily nutrient recommendations of food intake for dietary planning and how nutrients play an important part in promoting health and optimal functioning.chemistrychemistryThe composition, structure, and properties of substances and the processes and transformations that they undergo; the uses of different chemicals and their interactions, production techniques, risk fa...food authentication techniquesfood authentication techniquesMethodologies, analytical techniques and indicators applied to verify food authenticity and detect frauds.pathologypathologyThe components of a disease, the cause, mechanisms of development, morphologic changes, and the clinical consequences of those changes.food labelsfood labelsThe utility of food labels; their meaning and role in encouraging a healthful diet.dieteticsdieteticsThe human nutrition and dietary modification for optimising health in clinical or other environments. The role of nutrition in promoting health and preventing illness across the life spectrum.respond to changing situations in health carerespond to changing situations in health careCope with pressure and respond appropriately and in time to unexpected and rapidly changing situations in healthcare.develop policies for nutritional programsdevelop policies for nutritional programsDevelop policies for food service or nutritional programs to assist in health promotion and disease control.identify the dietetic professional quality of careidentify the dietetic professional quality of careEnsure the highest quality of care provided through dietetic interventions and nutrition-based advice.educate on the prevention of illnesseducate on the prevention of illnessOffer evidence-based advice on how to avoid ill health, educate and advise individuals and their carers on how to prevent ill health and/or be able to advise how to improve their environment and healt...inform policy makers on health-related challengesinform policy makers on health-related challengesProvide useful information related to health care professions to ensure policy decisions are made in the benefit of communities.use e-health and mobile health technologiesuse e-health and mobile health technologiesUse mobile health technologies and e-health (online applications and services) in order to enhance the provided healthcare.prepare promotional materials on nutrititionprepare promotional materials on nutrititionPrepare information packs, brochures and other promotional materials to provide information about nutrition to health professionals and the public.identify cause of nutritional imbalanceidentify cause of nutritional imbalanceRecognize the possible root causes of nutritional disproportions and their physiological or psychological nature.empathise with the healthcare userempathise with the healthcare userUnderstand the background of clients` and patients’ symptoms, difficulties and behaviour. Be empathetic about their issues; showing respect and reinforcing their autonomy, self-esteem and independence...identify nutritional properties of foodidentify nutritional properties of foodIdentify the nutritional value of food, including proportion of fats, carbohydrates, sugars, vitamins. Label products appropriately if required.follow up nutrition care planfollow up nutrition care planNote the patient`s response to the diet program and calculate and record dietary intake of patients on medical records. Modify nutrition care plan as necessary and provide patients with follow-up trai...deliver group sessions on nutritiondeliver group sessions on nutritionDeliver information on good nutrition, healthy eating habits, and nutrition monitoring to groups.supervise food in healthcaresupervise food in healthcareSupervise the food, menus and meals provided in a health care setting to ensure compliance with health safety and hygienic standards.manage healthcare users' datamanage healthcare users' dataKeep accurate client records which also satisfy legal and professional standards and ethical obligations in order to facilitate client management, ensuring that all clients' data (including verbal, wr...deal with emergency care situationsdeal with emergency care situationsAssess the signs and be well-prepared for a situation that poses an immediate threat to a person's health, security, property or environment.measure nutritional health status of patientsmeasure nutritional health status of patientsReview patient`s clinical information obtained through physician referral, laboratory reports and health records, conducting consultations with patients to obtain relevant information and assess their...provide health educationprovide health educationProvide evidence based strategies to promote healthy living, disease prevention and management.support individuals on nutrition changessupport individuals on nutrition changesEncourage and support individuals in their strive to keep realistic nutritional goals and practices in their day to day diet.conduct nutrition researchconduct nutrition researchConduct nutrition research to help in improving the health of the population, focusing on common issues such as cardiometabolic risk and obesity, intestinal function, musculoskeletal health and nutrit...communicate in healthcarecommunicate in healthcareCommunicate effectively with patients, families and other caregivers, health care professionals, and community partners.advise food industryadvise food industryGive councelling to food service managers and organisations, on matters related to nutrition such as menu development, food composition, budgeting, planning, sanitation, safety procedures, and process...advise on healthcare users' informed consentadvise on healthcare users' informed consentEnsure patients/clients are fully informed about the risks and benefits of proposed treatments so they can give informed consent, engaging patients/clients in the process of their care and treatment.comply with quality standards related to healthcare practicecomply with quality standards related to healthcare practiceApply quality standards related to risk management, safety procedures, patients feedback, screening and medical devices in daily practice, as they are recognized by the national professional associati...educate healthcare users on nutritioneducate healthcare users on nutritionHelp healthcare users and caregivers with choosing meals from a modified therapeutic selective menu, explaining nutritional principles, dietary plans and diet modifications, food selection and prepara...intervene to reduce sub-optimal nutritional status of individualsintervene to reduce sub-optimal nutritional status of individualsSuggest remediation to improve the nutritional status of individuals to an optimal state.comply with legislation related to health carecomply with legislation related to health careComply with the regional and national health legislation which regulates relations between suppliers, payers, vendors of the healthcare industry and patients, and the delivery of healthcare services.listen activelylisten activelyGive attention to what other people say, patiently understand points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times; able to listen carefully the needs of cus...adhere to organisational guidelinesadhere to organisational guidelinesAdhere to organisational or department specific standards and guidelines. Understand the motives of the organisation and the common agreements and act accordingly.work in a multicultural environment in health carework in a multicultural environment in health careInteract, relate and communicate with individuals from a variety of different cultures, when working in a healthcare environment.promote inclusionpromote inclusionPromote and respect diversity, and advocate for equal treatment of genders, ethnicities and minority groups in organisations in order to prevent discrimination and ensure inclusion and a positive envi...interact with healthcare usersinteract with healthcare usersCommunicate with clients and their carer’s, with the patient’s permission, to keep them informed about the clients’ and patients’ progress and safeguarding confidentiality.provide treatment strategies for challenges to human healthprovide treatment strategies for challenges to human healthIdentify possible treatment protocols for the challenges to human health within a given community in cases such as infectious diseases of high consequences at the global level.identify the health benefits of nutritional changesidentify the health benefits of nutritional changesRecognize the effects of nutritional changes on human organism and how they impact it positively.ensure safety of healthcare usersensure safety of healthcare usersMake sure that healthcare users are being treated professionally, effectively and safe from harm, adapting techniques and procedures according to the person's needs, abilities or the prevailing condit...provide dietetic diagnosisprovide dietetic diagnosisApply a holistic approach in diagnosing or providing a clinical impression of [delete: the his] a patient's condition resulting from illness, age, or disability and plan nutrition accordingly, in orde...apply organisational techniquesapply organisational techniquesEmploy a set of organisational techniques and procedures which facilitate the achievement of the set goals set such as detailed planning of personnel's schedules. Use these resources efficiently and s...apply context specific clinical competencesapply context specific clinical competencesApply professional and evidence based assessment, goal setting, delivery of intervention and evaluation of clients, taking into account the developmental and contextual history of the clients, within ...offer advice on diet-related concernsoffer advice on diet-related concernsOffer advice on dietary concerns such as overweight or elevated cholesterol levels.train medical staff on nutritiontrain medical staff on nutritionProvide training on nutrition to nurses and other medical staff, as well as catering staff.monitor the nutrition status of the individualmonitor the nutrition status of the individualFollow up the nutrition status of patients, their weight, food and fluid intake and nutritional care plan to identify and control the effects of diet changes.work in multidisciplinary health teamswork in multidisciplinary health teamsParticipate in the delivery of multidisciplinary health care, and understand the rules and competences of other healthcare related professions.advise on preparation of diet foodadvise on preparation of diet foodFormulate and supervise nutrition schemes to meet special dietary needs, such as low-fat or low-cholesterol diets, or gluten free.accept own accountabilityaccept own accountabilityAccept accountability for one`s own professional activities and recognise the limits of one`s own scope of practice and competencies.perform nutrition analysisperform nutrition analysisDetermine and calculate the nutrients of food products from available sources including food labels.

Optional (22)

business management principlesbusiness management principlesPrinciples governing business management methods such as strategy planning, methods of efficient production, people and resources coordination.general medicinegeneral medicineGeneral medicine is a medical specialty mentioned in the EU Directive 2005/36/EC.geriatricsgeriatricsGeriatrics is a medical specialty mentioned in the EU Directive 2005/36/EC.public healthpublic healthThe principles of health and sickness affecting the population, including the means for health promotion and prevention and community and primary care.pedagogypedagogyThe discipline that concerns the theory and practice of education including the various instructional methods for educating individuals or groups.intensive care medicineintensive care medicineMedical specialty dealing with the diagnosis and treatment of life-threatening conditions.first aidfirst aidThe emergency treatment given to a sick or injured person in the case of circulatory and/or respiratory failure, unconsciousness, wounds, bleeding, shock or poisoning.psychiatrypsychiatryPsychiatry is a medical specialty mentioned in the EU Directive 2005/36/EC.manage clinical riskmanage clinical riskImprove the quality and safe delivery of healthcare, placing special emphasis on identifying those circumstances that place clients, their families and carers, staff, students and others at risk of ha...address public health issuesaddress public health issuesPromote healthy practices and behaviours to ensure that populations stay healthy.communicate with mediacommunicate with mediaCommunicate professionally and present a positive image while exchanging with media or potential sponsors.monitor children's physical developmentmonitor children's physical developmentRecognise and describe the development of children, observing the following criteria: weight, length, and head size, nutritional requirements, renal function, hormonal influences on development, respo...carry out bibliographic workcarry out bibliographic workPerform bibliographic work; use computer or printed materials to identify and locate book titles as requested by customer.make recommendation on nutrition to public policy makersmake recommendation on nutrition to public policy makersAdvise public policy makers on nutrition-related issues, such as nutrition labeling, food fortification, and standards for school food programs.promote ethical eatingpromote ethical eatingCampaign for and promote ethical considerations in food choices and nutritional behaviours of consumers, related among others to the protection of the environment, food shortages and scarcity of resou...record healthcare users' billing informationrecord healthcare users' billing informationRecord the healthcare user`s information for the billing of provided medical services.prescribe medicationprescribe medicationPrescribe medications, when indicated, for therapeutic effectiveness, appropriate to the client`s needs and in accordance with evidence-based practice, national and practice protocols and within scope...advise sportspersons on dietadvise sportspersons on dietAdvise sportsmen and sportswomen on how to optimise their diet for performance or recovery from injury.use foreign languages for health-related researchuse foreign languages for health-related researchUse foreign languages for conducting and collaborating in health-related research.use foreign languages in patient careuse foreign languages in patient careCommunicate in foreign languages with healthcare users, their carers, or services providers. Use foreign languages to faciliate patient care according to the needs of the patient.refer healthcare usersrefer healthcare usersMake referrals to other professionals, based on the healthcare user's requirements and needs, especially when recognising that additional healthcare diagnostics or interventions are required.maintain medical devicesmaintain medical devicesEnsure all medical devices and appliances are properly stored and taken care of so they maintain their functionality and appearance.