How to Be Dietetic Technician, Registered - Job Description, Skills, and Interview Questions

Nov 9, 2020 / 6 Minutes Read / By Albert

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The cause of becoming a Dietetic Technician, Registered (DTR) is the desire to help others lead healthier lives. The effect of becoming a DTR is being able to provide nutrition counseling, create meal plans, and provide education on nutrition and health. Education and experience in nutrition, food science, dietetics, and medical nutrition therapy are important elements of becoming a DTR.

In addition, passing the national registration exam is required for earning a DTR credential. With this credential, DTRs can work in a variety of settings such as hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, community nutrition centers, and private practice. As a DTR, they can make a difference in the lives of others by helping them to improve their nutrition and overall health.

Steps How to Become

Earn an Associate Degree. The first step to becoming a Dietetic Technician, Registered (DTR) is to earn an associate degree from an accredited college or university. This degree should include courses in dietetics, nutrition, food science, and related subjects.
Complete an Accredited Program. After earning an associate degree, prospective DTRs must complete an accredited, supervised practice program in dietetics. This program can either be part of the associate degree program or be a separate program.
Apply for Registration. Once the supervised practice program has been completed, applicants must apply for registration with the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR). This process includes submitting transcripts and other documentation, as well as passing the Registration Examination for Dietetic Technicians.
Obtain State Licensure. Depending on the state, dietetic technicians may need to obtain licensure in order to practice. Each state has its own requirements for licensure, so applicants should research the requirements for their state.
Maintain Certification. After becoming a DTR, professionals must maintain their certification by completing continuing education courses and other requirements set by the CDR.

Keeping updated and qualified as a Registered Dietetic Technician (DTR) requires regular continuing education and professional development. To remain credentialed, DTRs must complete at least 75 hours of continuing education every five years and must pass a comprehensive recertification exam. This helps ensure that DTRs are knowledgeable of current trends, science, and safety standards in the field of nutrition and dietetics.

DTRs should stay informed about developments in the profession through professional organizations and publications, such as the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, local chapters of the American Dietetic Association, and professional journals. These activities allow DTRs to remain current on the latest research and provide a platform for networking with other professionals. Finally, DTRs should actively participate in their local communities to promote healthy eating habits and nutrition education.

By taking these proactive steps, DTRs can make sure they are staying informed and qualified to provide the best care to their clients.

You may want to check Dietetic Technician, Clinical Nutrition Manager/Dietetic Technician, Registered, and Community Nutrition Educator/Registered Dietitian/Dietetic Technician for alternative.

Job Description

Create and implement individualized nutrition care plans for patients based on their diet history, medical history, lifestyle and preferences.
Educate patients on nutrition principles and nutrition management of chronic diseases like diabetes, obesity, hypertension and heart disease.
Collaborate with other healthcare professionals to ensure quality patient care.
Monitor the progress of patients through regular assessment of food intake, laboratory values and other factors.
Provide counseling to patients and their families on nutrition-related topics such as meal planning, grocery shopping and food preparation.
Compile patient data and prepare reports to be shared with other healthcare providers.
Develop community nutrition education programs and conduct presentations to groups.
Create nutrition-focused materials for educational handouts, brochures, newsletters and websites.
Participate in research activities related to nutrition and dietetics.
Assist in the selection and development of menu items for institutional foodservice operations.

Skills and Competencies to Have

Ability to evaluate, assess and counsel individuals to improve dietary habits.
Knowledge of the principles of nutrition, food science, and meal planning.
Ability to provide nutrition education to individuals and groups of people.
Ability to develop, implement and evaluate nutrition care plans.
Ability to calculate nutrient values of foods and diets.
Ability to communicate effectively with patients, families, and other healthcare professionals.
Ability to maintain accurate records and document dietary histories.
Ability to work with a variety of computer software programs related to nutrition.
Ability to utilize effective problem-solving and decision-making skills.
Knowledge of current regulations governing dietary services in healthcare institutions.

Dietetic technicians, registered (DTRs) play a vital role in the healthcare field. Their expertise in nutrition and food science helps to ensure that the public is receiving optimal nutrition. As such, having strong knowledge and skills in these areas is essential for success as a DTR.

Strong communication skills are also necessary in order to effectively collaborate with other healthcare professionals and clients. being organized and detail-oriented are important qualities as DTRs must be able to maintain accurate records and monitor patient progress. Finally, problem solving and critical thinking skills are essential for analyzing patient data and developing evidence-based nutrition plans.

These key skills help DTRs provide quality nutrition care and education services to their patients, helping them to achieve their goals and improve their overall health.

Registered Dietician/Dietetic Technician, Registered, Outpatient Clinical Nutritionist/Nutrition and Dietetics Technician, Registered, and Clinical Nutrition Services Program Director/Registered Dietitian/Dietetic Technician are related jobs you may like.

Frequent Interview Questions

What experience do you have in dietetic services?
Describe a recent patient interaction that you found meaningful.
How do you ensure accuracy when calculating nutrient and caloric needs for patients?
What steps do you take to ensure that prescribed diets are followed?
How would you handle a challenging patient with regards to dietary restrictions?
What strategies do you use to educate patients on healthy eating habits?
How do you stay up to date with the most current nutrition guidelines?
Describe your experience with creating individualized nutrition plans for patients.
What do you think is the most important part of being a Dietetic Technician, Registered?
How have you gone above and beyond your job responsibilities as a Dietetic Technician, Registered?

Common Tools in Industry

Nutrition Analysis Software. Software used to analyze the nutrient content of a food or meal. (e. g. Nutritionist Pro or ESHA Food Processor)
Food Calorie Counter. A tool to help count the number of calories in different types of food. (e. g. MyFitnessPal)
Recipe Analysis Software. Software used to determine the nutrient content of a recipe or menu item. (e. g. Nutritionist Pro or ESHA Recipe Builder)
Meal Planning Software. Software used to plan nutritious meals for individuals or groups. (e. g. Meal Planner Pro or Meal Garden)
Dietary Screening Tools. Tools used to assess dietary patterns and identify areas for improvement in an individual's diet. (e. g. Nutrition Care Process or Nutrition Screening Initiative)
Food Sensitivity Testing Kits. Kits used to determine if an individual is sensitive to certain foods. (e. g. Alcat Test or ImuPro 300)
Food Label Interpretation Guides. Guides used to help understand the information on food labels. (e. g. Nutrition Facts Label Guide)
Nutrient Tracking Apps. Apps used to track the intake of specific nutrients over time. (e. g. MyFitnessPal or Cronometer)

Professional Organizations to Know

Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
American Association of Diabetes Educators
American Dietetic Association
American Society for Nutrition
Commission on Dietetic Registration
International Confederation of Dietetic Associations
International Food Information Council Foundation
International Foodservice Distributors Association
National Association of Nutrition Professionals
Society for Nutrition Education and Behavior

We also have Clinical Nutrition Educator/Registered Dietitian/Dietetic Technician, Community Nutrition Educator/Clinical Dietitian/Dietetic Technician, and Clinical Nutrition Manager/Registered Dietitian/Dietetic Technician jobs reports.

Common Important Terms

Nutrition. The science or practice of consuming and utilizing foods.
Dietetics. The science or practice of selecting and preparing food in relation to health.
Food Science. The study of the physical, chemical, and biological makeup of food, as well as its processing, preparation, safety, and storage.
Clinical Nutrition. The study of the relationship between food and health, and the use of nutrition to prevent and treat diseases.
Food Service Management. The management of food service operations, including menu planning, budgeting, purchasing, and inventory control.
Community Nutrition. The use of nutrition education to promote healthy eating and physical activity among individuals and communities.
Nutritional Assessment. The use of laboratory tests and other methods to evaluate an individual's nutritional status.
Meal Planning. The development of meal plans for individuals and groups that meet their nutritional needs and preferences.
Food Labeling. The process of providing accurate information on food packaging about a product's ingredients, nutritional value, and health benefits.
Food Safety. The practice of handling and preparing food in a safe manner to prevent food-borne illnesses and other health risks.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Dietetic Technician, Registered?

A Dietetic Technician, Registered (DTR) is a health care professional who supports the work of Registered Dietitians in providing medical nutrition therapy.

What qualifications are required to become a Dietetic Technician, Registered?

To become a Dietetic Technician, Registered, an individual must pass the national registration exam and have an associate degree in dietetics or a related field from an accredited program.

What tasks does a Dietetic Technician, Registered typically perform?

A Dietetic Technician, Registered typically performs tasks such as patient education and counseling, menu planning, and food preparation. They may also be responsible for ordering and managing food supplies, providing nutrition care services, and collaborating with other healthcare professionals.

How long does it take to become a Dietetic Technician, Registered?

The amount of time it takes to become a Dietetic Technician, Registered varies depending on the individual's background and experience. Generally, it takes about two years to complete the educational requirements and pass the national registration exam.

What type of salary can a Dietetic Technician, Registered expect to earn?

The salary for a Dietetic Technician, Registered can vary depending on location and experience, but the median annual wage for DTRs in the United States was $39,340 in May 2019.

Web Resources

Dietetic Technician · Northland Community & Technical College www.northlandcollege.edu
Becoming a Dietetic Technician, Registered (DTR) fsn.calpoly.edu
Nutrition and Dietetic Technician | MATC - Milwaukee Area Technical C www.matc.edu