Dietary departments in health care facilities are generally well lighted, clean, well ventilated, and near the kitchen areas. Kitchens and serving areas, however, may be intensely active at peak hours and are often very hot, steamy, and noisy. Most dietetic technicians in food-service administration jobs work 40-hour weeks, and may be required to work some nights, weekends, or on an irregular schedule, depending on the type of employer. Shifts are usually divided into three eight-hour periods, with each shift responsible for preparing one major meal.
Dietetic technicians in food service may be on their feet most of the time. In some cases, there may be intense pressure to work quickly and accurately. At such times, technicians must be able to give full attention to the details of their own job while coordinating the work of other employees. Often, technicians must fill in for or find replacements for workers who do not show up for their shift.
Dietetic technicians employed in nutrition care are likely to have more regular hours and a smoother work pace. They spend a great deal of time talking with patients and their families. While the majority of patients are pleasant, on occasion the technician may encounter patients who are difficult or frustrating. Those who work for community programs may even be required to make visits to their clients' homes.
For someone who enjoys food and helping people, this field can be very satisfying. Sometimes, however, technicians encounter challenges in the kitchen; the work may seem endless and routine; and it is necessary to face the fact that good nutrition cannot solve all health problems. Nonetheless, many dietetic technicians find that the sense of achievement outweighs such negatives.
In 2023, nearly 74 percent of dietetic technicians were women, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. This percentage is significantly higher than their representation in the U.S. workforce.
- Addiction Therapists
- Adult Day Care Coordinators
- Advanced Practice Nurses
- Aerospace Medicine Physicians
- Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselors
- Allergists/Immunologists
- Anesthesiologist Assistants
- Anesthesiologists
- App Services Workers
- Bakery Workers
- Baristas
- Bartenders
- Bed and Breakfast Owners
- Beekeepers
- Behavioral Health Technicians
- Beverage Industry Workers
- Biologists
- Biomedical Equipment Technicians
- Brewers
- Cancer Exercise Specialists
- Canning and Preserving Industry Workers
- Cardiologists
- Cardiovascular Technologists
- Career and Employment Counselors
- Career and Employment Technicians
- Caterers
- Chemical Engineers
- Child Life Specialists
- Chiropractors
- Clinic Managers
- Clinical Applications Specialists
- Clinical Nurse Specialists
- Clinical Pharmacist Practitioners
- Community Health Nurses
- Community Health Program Coordinators
- Community Health Workers
- Community Nutrition Educators
- Confectionery Industry Workers
- Conflict Resolution Specialists
- Contact Tracers
- Cooking Instructors
- Cooks and Chefs
- Cosmetic Surgeons
- Creative Arts Therapists
- Critical Care Nurses
- Cytogenetic Technologists
- Cytotechnologists
- Dairy Products Manufacturing Workers
- Dental Assistants
- Dental Hygienists
- Dental Laboratory Technicians
- Dental Therapists
- Dentists
- Dermatologists
- Diagnostic Medical Sonographers
- Dialysis Technicians
- Dietitians
- Directors of Telehealth
- Directors of Volunteers
- Dispensing Opticians
- Ear, Nose, and Throat Specialists
- Electroneurodiagnostic Technologists
- Emergency Medical Technicians
- Emergency Nurses
- Endocrinologists
- Endodontists
- Endoscopy Technicians
- Enologists
- Epidemiologists
- Ergonomists
- Ethical Sourcing Officer
- Event Planners
- Family and Consumer Scientists
- Farmers
- Fast Food Workers
- Fishers
- Food Service Workers
- Food Technologists
- Food Writers and Editors
- Gastroenterologists
- General Practitioners
- Genetic Counselors
- Geriatric Care Managers
- Geriatric Nurses
- Geriatric Psychiatrists
- Geriatric Social Workers
- Geriatricians
- Grant Coordinators and Writers
- Grief Therapists
- Health Advocates
- Health and Regulatory Inspectors
- Health Educators
- Health Informaticists
- Hematologists
- Histologic Technicians
- HIV/AIDS Counselors and Case Managers
- Holistic Physicians
- Home Health Care Aides
- Home Health Care and Hospice Nurses
- Hospice Workers
- Hospitalists
- Hosts/Hostesses
- Hotel Restaurant Managers
- Human Services Workers
- Industrial-Organizational Psychologists
- Informatics Nurse Specialists
- Kinesiologists
- Licensed Practical Nurses
- Manufacturing Production Technicians
- Meatcutters and Meat Packers
- Medical Assistants
- Medical Laboratory Technicians
- Medical Screeners
- Medical Scribes
- Medical Technologists
- Microbiologists
- Molecular and Cellular Biologists
- Music Therapists
- Naturopaths
- Neonatal Nurses
- Neurologists
- Neuropsychologists and Clinical Neuropsychologists
- Neuroscientists
- Nonprofit Social Service Directors
- Nuclear Medicine Physicians
- Nuclear Medicine Technologists
- Nurse Anesthetists
- Nurse Assistants
- Nurse Managers
- Nurse Practitioners
- Nurse-Midwives
- Nursing Home Administrators
- Nutritionists
- Obstetricians/Gynecologists
- Occupational Health Nurses
- Occupational Therapists
- Occupational Therapy Assistants and Aides
- Oncological Nurses
- Oncologists
- Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians
- Ophthalmic Medical Technologists
- Ophthalmologists
- Optometrists
- Organic Farmers
- Oriental Medicine Practitioners
- Orientation and Mobility Specialists
- Orthodontists
- Orthoptists
- Orthotic and Prosthetic Technicians
- Orthotists and Prosthetists
- Osteopathic Physicians
- Packaging Engineers
- Packaging Machinery Technicians
- Pathologists
- Pediatricians
- Pedorthists
- Perfusionists
- Periodontists
- Personal Care Aides
- Personal Chefs
- Pharmacists
- Pharmacologists
- Pharmacy Technicians
- Phlebotomy Technicians
- Physiatrists
- Physical Therapists
- Physical Therapy Assistants
- Physician Assistants
- Physicians
- Podiatrists
- Preventive Medicine Physicians
- Product Development Directors
- Product Management Directors
- Product Managers
- Prosthodontists
- Psychiatric Nurses
- Psychiatric Technicians
- Psychiatrists
- Psychologists
- Public Interest Lawyers
- Radiologic Technologists
- Radiologists
- Recreational Therapists
- Registered Nurses
- Rehabilitation Counselors
- Remote Health Care Engineers
- Respiratory Technicians
- Respiratory Therapists
- Restaurant and Food Service Managers
- School Nurses
- Senior Care Pharmacists
- Sign Language and Oral Interpreters
- Social Workers
- Special Procedures Technologists
- Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists
- Speech-Language Pathology Assistants
- Sports Physicians
- Sports Psychologists
- Surgeons
- Surgical Technologists
- Toxicologists
- Transplant Coordinators
- Tutors and Trainers
- Urologists