Dietetic Technicians

Assist in the provision of food service and nutritional programs, under the supervision of a dietitian. May plan and produce meals based on established guidelines, teach principles of food and nutrition, or counsel individuals.

O*NET reports this occupation under titles such as: Cook Chill Technician (CCT); Diet Assistant; Diet Clerk; Diet Tech (Diet Technician); Diet Tech (Dietetic Technician); Diet Technician Registered (DTR); Dietary Aide; Dietetic Assistant; Dietetic Technician Registered (DTR); Nutrition Technician

Tasks

• Observe and monitor patient food intake and body weight, and report changes, progress, and dietary problems to dietician.
• Conduct nutritional assessments of individuals, including obtaining and evaluating individuals' dietary histories, to plan nutritional programs.
• Prepare a major meal, following recipes and determining group food quantities.
• Supervise food production or service or assist dietitians or nutritionists in food service supervision or planning.
• Plan menus or diets or guide individuals or families in food selection, preparation, or menu planning, based upon nutritional needs and established guidelines.
• Develop job specifications, job descriptions, or work schedules.
• Attend interdisciplinary meetings with other health care professionals to discuss patient care.
• Provide dietitians with assistance researching food, nutrition, or food service systems.
• Select, schedule, or conduct orientation or in-service education programs.
• Analyze menus or recipes, standardize recipes, or test new products.

Knowledge

• Customer and Personal Service
• English Language
• Education and Training
• Mathematics
• Public Safety and Security
• Administration and Management
• Food Production
• Administrative
• Computers and Electronics
• Production and Processing
• Personnel and Human Resources
• Law and Government

Skills

• Speaking
• Active Listening
• Reading Comprehension
• Writing
• Critical Thinking
• Active Learning
• Learning Strategies
• Monitoring

Abilities

• Oral Comprehension
• Oral Expression
• Deductive Reasoning
• Written Comprehension
• Problem Sensitivity
• Inductive Reasoning
• Near Vision
• Speech Clarity
• Written Expression
• Fluency of Ideas
• Information Ordering
• Category Flexibility
• Speech Recognition
• Originality
• Flexibility of Closure