A dietitian is not a nutritionist, and a nutritionist is not a dietitian. Although they may sound similar, each profession carries its own unique aspects, privileges and responsibilities. According to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, the credentialing agency for dietitians, under the new optional RDN (Registered Dietitian Nutritionist) credential, every registered dietitian is also considered to be a nutritionist. However, every nutritionist is not considered to be a registered dietitian. This article will explain what makes a dietitian a dietitian.
Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDNs), also known as Registered Dietitians (RDs), must be certified by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics in order to practice. They are authorized to treat specific health conditions, such as diabetes and eating disorders, by recommending foods to clients.
Why did the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics decide to include the word “nutritionists” in the RD credentials? The Academy says that it was designed to enhance the RD credential, accurately reflecting a broader concept of wellness that includes the fact that dietitians can prevent health conditions, not just provide medical nutrition therapy and treat health conditions.
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Insurance often covers clients’ visits to a dietitian (RDN) if those visits are intended to treat a specific health condition. In fact, the Medical Nutrition Therapy Act of 2020 provides Medicare Part B coverage for medical nutrition therapy provided by a dietitian for clients with:
In addition to medical nutrition therapy, dietitians focus on prevention of health conditions through proper nutrition and education. Other conditions they may address in clients include bariatric surgery, kidney issues, and working with sports nutrition/optimal nutrition for athletes.
There is a wide variety of types of dietitians, based upon where a dietitian works, the clients with whom they work, and their specialization. Generally, there are four accepted main domains of practice for dietitians, each of which carries its own specialized job duties and responsibilities:
Other healthcare professionals who work closely with a dietitian include primary care practitioners, who may refer clients to dietitians; health coaches; nutrition coaches; fitness instructors; and nutritionists.
In order to perform their jobs well, dietitians should be able to:
Dietitians typically work 40 hours per week, and mainly Monday through Friday, during regular daytime business hours. Depending upon where a dietitian works, however, they may also need to work evenings and weekends.
A few of the settings in which dietitians may work are hospitals, private practice, outpatient clinics, research institutions, community education, or public health offices.
The U.S. Department of Labor quotes the average annual salary for Registered Dietitians at $61,270 per year (as of May 2019).
Registered dietitian nutritionists (RDNs), the proper name for Registered Dietitians in the United States, must be certified by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. This certification requires them to:
National certification is achieved through the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, and allows a dietitian to call themselves a RD or RDN. Most states require that dietitians also be licensed or certified within the state in which they intend to practice. The only states as of July 1, 2020 that do not require licensure or certification in order to practice in the state are: Arizona, California, Colorado, Michigan, and Virginia. Check with your state’s dietetic board for its licensure/certification procedures.
The Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) offers the following specialist certifications for dietitians who wish to practice in a specialized area:
Each specialty certification requires that the RD has been certified for at least two years, has 2000 hours of practice experience in the specialty area they seek, and can pass an examination. Maintaining certification requires 2000 more hours of specialty practice experience and passing a recertification exam every five years.
The U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) notes that the job outlook for registered dietitians is quite good for the next decade. Between 2019 and 2029, an eight percent increase in employment opportunities is expected for dietitians, which is faster than the average growth expected of other occupations. As the role of food and making wise choices in preventing and treating conditions and diseases becomes more well known, dietitians will remain in demand for years to come.
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