- What is a Dietetic Technician, Registered?
Dietetic technicians, also known as “DTRs”, are formally trained allied healthcare professionals with expertise in food science and nutrition, and are therefore a vital component to both health-care, and food service management groups. Generally, DTRs work in conjunction with Registered Dietitians, and are responsible for screening, evaluating, educating, and monitoring patients to manage and prevent disease states. Other times, however, DTRs may work on their own and provide nutrition education in a myriad of environments, including, but not limited to, schools, restaurants, hospitals, public health agencies, health clubs, and food companies. Some DTRs may even elect to pursue a career in private counseling, though they are not eligible for reimbursement through insurance.
- How do I become a Dietetic Technician, Registered?
According to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (n.d.) there are two primary ways by which one can become a DTR:
1. Completion of a 2-year Associate degree in a dietetic technician program that is both approved by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, and regionally accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND). The student must also complete at least 450 hours of ACEND accredited supervised practice, and subsequently pass the Commission on Dietetic Registration’s (CDR) national DTR examination.
2. Completion of a Bachelor’s degree in either a didactic or coordinated program that is both approved by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, and regionally accredited by ACEND. To meet foundational knowledge, a didactic program requires degree completion followed by a dietetic internship. A coordinated program also requires degree completion, but unlike a didactic program, it combines the academic course work with supervised practice and eliminates the need for an internship. It should be noted, however, that internship completion is no longer required for this path, and that students may immediately sit for the CDR’s national DTR examination after completing either a didactic or coordinated degree.
Degrees in other fields must be evaluated by an ACEND accredited dietetic program director to determine which classes are required for entrance into, and completion of, their DTR program.
Regardless of which path is chosen, all DTR’s must complete 50 hours of continuing education every five years in order to maintain their credential.
- Options for schooling
When searching for a school with a DTR program, make sure it has had at least one visit from ACEND and has met their accreditation standards. It is also important to note that if you plan on pursuing an Associate degree to become a DTR, be sure to inquire about the 450 hours of supervised practice experience required by ACEND, as some schools may provide preceptors while others require you to procure your own.
To search for DTR programs by state, visit:
http://www.eatright.org/ACEND/content.aspx?id=6828
- How to make yourself marketable
There are a great many things one can do to make him or herself marketable as a DTR. First and foremost, become a member of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and make it a point to join your state and local chapters as well. Once you’ve joined, get involved in as many events as you can, and start networking with nutrition professionals immediately. Another way to network is by attending nutrition seminars (particularly the Food and Nutrition Conference Expo)…they can be expensive, but the opportunity to meet, and learn from, RDTs and RDs is worth the cost. I also recommend that you consider volunteer work at YMCA’s, food banks, soup kitchens, churches, and any other organization that provides food and nutrition services to those in need. Additionally, you may want to think about employment as a dietary aide for a hospital as a way to break into the field and meet potential future employers. Other ideas, such as posting cooking videos on YouTube, are also beneficial, as they demonstrate a genuine interest in food and nutrition.
As the above activities are completed, I would recommend keeping track of them in either a traditional, or website-based dietetics portfolio. For specific examples on how to put together a professional portfolio, check out: http://cdrnet.org/pdp/professional-development-portfolio-guide. I would also suggest looking at John Wooden’s Pyramid of Success at www.CoachWooden.com to gain insight into the type of leadership qualities potential employers want your portfolio to reflect.
- DTR exam study resources:
For more information regarding the DTR examination, go to:
http://cdrnet.org/vault/2459/web/files/DTHandbook2014.pdf
For the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics DTR study guide, go to:
https://www.eatright.org/Shop/Product.aspx?id=6442465242&LangType=1033
For other DTR study guides, go to the following links:
http://www.testprepreview.com/dietetic-technician.htm
http://www.flashcardsecrets.com/rd/
http://nofluffstudyguide.weebly.com/
- Career options, pay, etc.
DTRs who have been working in the field anywhere from 1 to 5 years can expect to earn an annual income of approximately $34,000 to $40,000; they can be found in several settings and perform a wide range of duties. According to Canter and Payne-Palacio (2011) for instance, 39% of all DTRs are found in clinical nutrition inpatient care, 1% in clinical nutrition ambulatory care, 17% in clinical nutrition long-term care, 19% in food and nutrition management, 10% in community jobs, 2% in consultation and business, and 2% in education and research. Specifically, DTRs work in the following environments:
· Hospitals, HMOs, clinics, nursing homes, retirement centers, hospices, and home health-care programs and research.
· Schools, day-care centers, correctional facilities, restaurants, health-care facilities, and corporations and hospitals.
· Women, infant, children (WIC) programs; public health agencies; and Meals on Wheels and community health programs.
· Health clubs, weight management clinics and community wellness centers.
· Food companies, contract food management companies or food vending and distributing operations. (Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, n.d.)
In short, there are many, many options for employment as a DTR—a definite advantage to anyone with the credential. To search DTR career options, consult the following links, suggested by Jennifer Adkins Earnst (2008):
- References and suggested reading
Academy of Nutrition
and Dietetics. (n.d.). Becoming an
RD/DTR.
Retrieved November 16, 2013 from http://www.eatright.org/BecomeanRDorDTR/
Canter, D. D., & Payne-Palacio, J. R. (2011). The profession of dietetics: A team approach (4th ed.). Sudbury, MA: Jones & Barlett.
Commission on Dietetic Registration, (n.d.). Dietetic technician, registered (DTR) certification. Retrieved November 16 from
http://cdrnet.org/certifications/dietetic-technician-registered-dtr-certificationErnst, J. A. (2008). Untangling the nutrition web in career development (3rd ed.). McLean, VI: Silver Brooks.
