The dietetic profession is extremely varied, with opportunities working in:
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the NHS
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private clinics
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public health
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the food industry
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sports nutrition
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the media
You could find yourself working with people who are in hospital, in a clinic setting, nursing homes or at home. You could be helping young children to manage their newly diagnosed diabetes or supporting an oncology patient through chemotherapy with taste changes and a poor appetite or advising on tube feeding regimens for patients who are struggling to meet their dietary needs through food due to ill-health.
Following your graduation, you will need to register with your professional body, the Health and Care Professionals Council (HCPC). You could also join the British Dietetic Association, the professional association for UK dietitians. Once you are HCPC registered, you will be eligible to work as a dietitian in the UK and overseas. Registered Dietitians are in high demand across the UK, and so employment opportunities following graduation are very good.
Further resources are available on the Association of UK Dietitians webpages.
A day in the life of a dietitian
What would my starting salary be?
Most jobs in the NHS are covered by the Agenda for Change pay scales and as a recently graduated dietitian you will usually start at Band 5. Pay and conditions will vary depending upon your employer and competitive rates are offered throughout the private and voluntary sectors. You should always check with the employer to confirm the pay rate for any post for which you are applying.
What hours would I be working?
37.5 hours per week is standard in the NHS. You may be on-call and seven day working and shift patterns are likely to become more usual in the future. Outside of the NHS, your hours will be dictated by the context of where you work.
Where could I work?
Dietitians work in a variety of areas and specialisms and are recruited by a wide range of employers including the health service, higher education, independent and private practice, the voluntary sector including charities, the prison service, industry, media, and national/international sports teams.