Dietitians and nutritionists
High opportunity occupation
Career Overview
Dietitians and nutritionists help people understand the connection between food and their well-being. They assess people’s nutritional needs, then create nutrition plans and food service programs to promote good health.
Job Titles
Duties
Dietitians and nutritionists:
- Assess people’s nutritional needs, based on their age, body mass index (BMI), medical conditions and nutritional goals
- Create care plans and menus to match clients’ needs
- Provide nutrition information and help people make healthy food choices
- Develop educational materials and programs
- May develop, test and market food and nutrition products
- May represent companies and supply product-related information
Dietitians usually work in one of three main areas:
- Clinical dietitians work directly with patients and clients
- Community / public health dietitians work for health authorities and other organizations to develop policy and programs to support public health
- Food service administrators manage food services in health-care institutions, educational facilities and government agencies
Dietitians may also train dietetic interns and work in research.
Nutritionists usually work with individuals. They develop diet and exercise plans, track clients’ progress and motivate them to achieve their goals.
Earnings
Earnings is income that workers receive in exchange for their labour. Depending on the type of employment, earnings can be in the form of wages (hourly), salaries (fixed monthly or annual) or self-employed earnings.
Work Environment
# Workers Employed
1,370% Employed Full Time
50%Dietitians work in private practice and in public health-care positions. Nutritionists usually work in private practice. Both may work independently or as part of a health-care team.
This work can take place in a variety of settings, including hospitals, extended care facilities, community health centres, private health clinics, not-for-profit health organizations, private homes, grocery stores, gyms and schools. Some nutritionists and dietitians work in the food and beverage, sports or pharmaceutical industries.
Dietitians and nutritionists bring a science-based approach to their work, and use calculations to assess clients and determine their caloric needs.
Technology is increasingly important to this work. Dietitians and nutritionists use online documentation and virtual practice, which became more common during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Career Pathways
Dietitians and nutritionists have a variety of career options. Many start in private practice. Most dietitians choose to work in public health care.
With additional experience, dietitians and nutritionists may progress into management positions. Dietitians may become chief dietitians or take on management roles in health care. Dietitians with experience and a master’s degree in education, nutrition or public health may move into teaching positions or take government jobs in food policy development. Those with additional certification may specialize in areas, such as sports nutrition or education in diabetes, celiac disease, or bariatrics (obesity).
Related Careers
Occupational Interests
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For more about occupational interests visit Skills for the Future Workforce > Characteristics.
Here are the top occupational interest(s) for this career profile:
Education, Training and Skills
In British Columbia, laws distinguish between Registered Dietitians and nutritionists.
Dietitians are regulated under the Health Professions Act, the Dietitians Regulation and the College of Dietitians of BC bylaws. Nutritionists are not regulated in B.C.
Dietitians require:
- A bachelor’s or master’s degree in dietetics, nutrition or a related field, such as food and nutrition science
- A 10-month period of supervised practical training
- Registration with the College of Dietitians of BC, which includes an exam
- Successful completion of the Canadian Dietetic Registration Exam
Some employers may also require workers to be members of the national association, Dietitians of Canada.
Nutritionists’ qualifications vary. Many nutritionists have a post-secondary certificate or degree in nutrition; others have no formal education.
Workers coming to B.C.
Dietitians who are certified by a regulator elsewhere in Canada can apply for the same certification from the regulator in B.C. Under the terms of the Canadian Free Trade Agreement (CFTA), most applicants who are transferring their credentials from elsewhere in Canada will not be required to complete additional training or testing. However, the B.C. regulator may ask applicants to provide further information, such as a letter of good standing, references or a criminal record check.
Workers who trained outside of Canada
Dietitians who trained outside of Canada and have never received certification from a Canadian jurisdiction will likely need a full assessment. Most occupational regulators have a process for assessment and recognize internationally trained applicants. Contact the College of Dietitians of BC for details on how to apply for certification in B.C.
For information about labour mobility in Canada, visit www.workersmobility.ca.
View a list of Professional Regulatory Authorities in B.C.
Education programs in B.C.
Top Skills
Every job calls for a certain set of skills. Knowing those skills is the first step in finding a good career fit.
Here, you will find the 10 most relevant workplace skills. Some are more important to achieving success in a certain career than others. These skills may come naturally to you or you may need to gain them through education, training and experience.
See the list of work-related skills below, ranked in order of importance for this career. Check out the list and see if this career matches your skills—take that first step!
Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
Being aware of others’ reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Talking to others to share information effectively.
Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Being able to solve novel, ill-defined problems in complex, real-world settings.
Keeping track of and assessing your performance, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Actively looking for ways to help people.
Labour Market Statistics
Discover data, facts and information that have been gathered and analyzed. Learn about the characteristics of the economy and labour market in B.C.
Employment
Find out about employment types and trends by region and industry.
Employment
1,370Employment by Region
| Region | Employment | % Employment of this Occupation |
|---|---|---|
| Cariboo | 35 | 2.5% |
| Kootenay | 30 | 2.2% |
| Mainland/Southwest | 845 | 61.5% |
| North Coast and Nechako | 25 | 1.8% |
| Northeast | 10 | 0.7% |
| Thompson-Okanagan | 195 | 14.2% |
| Vancouver Island/Coast | 225 | 16.4% |
Labour Market Outlook
The B.C. Labour Market Outlook is a 10-year forecast of the expected supply and demand for labour in the province. It’s usually updated every year. The purpose is to provide British Columbians with the knowledge to make informed decisions on careers, skills training, education and hiring.
Forecasted Job Openings (2024-2034)
790Forecasted Job Openings
Forecasted Employment Growth Rate
Composition of Job Openings
Job Openings by Region (2024-2034)
| Region | Job Openings | Avg. Annual Employment Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Cariboo | 20 | 1.4% |
| Kootenay | 10 | 1.2% |
| Mainland/Southwest | 500 | 2.1% |
| North Coast and Nechako | 10 | 0.5% |
| Northeast | Not available | Not available |
| Thompson-Okanagan | 100 | 2.0% |
| Vancouver Island/Coast | 150 | 2.2% |
Industry Highlights
Learn about the opportunities in B.C.'s major industries, including employment trends, earning potential, locations of work and more.
Forecasted Job Openings by Industry
| Industry | Job Openings (2024-2034) |
|---|---|
| Health Care and Social Assistance | 680 |
| Retail Trade | 30 |
| Professional, Scientific and Technical Services | 20 |
| Wholesale Trade | 10 |
| Educational Services | 10 |
Insights from Industry
Demand for dietitians and nutritionists is high and expected to rise. Retirements will add to the shortage of workers. Also, new roles for workers are emerging, especially in the areas of research, public health and the food industry.
Dietitians and nutritionists must consider each client as an individual to create a care plan that best meets their needs. This means considering their culture, financial barriers, medical restrictions and personal tastes.
Dietitians and nutritionists work closely with their clients and often report a high level of job satisfaction in helping them succeed.
Resources
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College of Dietitians of BC (CDBC)collegeofdietitiansofbc.org
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Dietitians of Canadawww.dietitians.ca
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Health Sciences Association of BCwww.hsabc.org
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HealthlinkBC – Careerswww.healthlinkbc.ca/more/about-healthlink-bc/careers
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HealthLinkBC – Dietitian Serviceswww.healthlinkbc.ca/health-services/healthlink-bc-811-services/dietitian-services
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International Confederation of Dietetic Associations (ICDA)www.internationaldietetics.org
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Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA) – Jobsjobs.phsa.ca/
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University of British Columbia – Dietetics Programdietetics.landfood.ubc.ca
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