Registered Dietician (RD)

Overview

A Registered Dietitian (RD) is a trained nutrition professional who has met the strict educational and experiential standards set forth by the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND). Registered dietitians may work in a variety of settings, including (but not limited to) schools, long term care facilities, hospitals, community/public health facilities, corporate nutrition programs, the food and nutrition industry, sports nutrition, business, and research.
Job Description
The job description for a Registered Dietitian (RD) varies depending upon the setting in which the RD works. Generally, RDs advise and counsel others on food and nutrition. They may explain nutrition issues to clients, assess the dietary and health needs of clients, develop meal plans for clients, gauge the effects of these meal plans, promote nutrition through public speaking and community outreach programs, and keep abreast of the latest research in nutritional and food sciences. Specialties within the Registered Dietitian profession include:

• Clinical dietitians – these RDs are specially trained to provide medical nutrition therapy in settings such as hospitals and long term care facilities
• Community dietitians – these RDs primarily educate the public on food and nutrition issues and topics. They may work in government agencies, non-profit organizations, public health clinics, and HMOs.
• Management dietitians – these RDs work in planning meal programs in food service settings, including hospitals, cafeterias and food corporations. Their duties may involve overseeing other dietitians and/or kitchen staff, buying food, and performing the business tasks of managing a dietary/meal program.

Skills Required:

In order to be a good, effective Registered Dietitian, you should possess the following skills:

• Good decision making and judgment capabilities
• The ability to instruct others
• The ability to identify and solve complex problems
• Being socially perceptive; that is, aware of the reactions of others and understanding those reactions
• Good reading comprehension skills
• Good coordination skills and the ability to adjust one’s actions in relation to others’ actions
• Effective logic, reasoning and critical thinking skills
• Effective writing skills
• Effective speaking skills

LHCR is an Equal Opportunity Employer