With the health ailments on the rise, the profile of a nutritionist is also gaining demand. Their proper guidance in terms of consuming food has improved the health of many. Scroll further to know about the duties, responsibilities and salary for this job profile.
Health is dear to everyone, therefore providing it with balanced nutrients is important. With the poor eating behavior, many people around the world have acquired hazardous health problems. Diet and exercise has, therefore, become an important part of the routine life. People with or without health issues have become conscious and concerned about their health and taking all the necessary measures to protect it. With the constant need of living a healthy lifestyle, many people are appointing nutritionists to monitor and manage their diet. The motive of bringing a complete change in the way of living of the client, has attracted many youngsters to pursue the nutritionist career.
A nutritionist is a person who advises and manages the eating habits of a person. They usually advice and counsel on the various food nutrients that we consume. They are also known as health care professionals as they mainly regulate the diet, with the motive of maintaining good health of their client. While determining a diet program for a person, it is important to consider their location, their routine activities and any persisting health problems. Therefore, a professional nutritionist has to be careful and sensible in selecting the right food nutrients for his clients. Taking the advise from friends or relatives or skipping meals can weaken the health of the person and lead to more medical problems. Hence, in order to stay fit, consulting a nutritionist is always wiser.
Pay Scale of a Clinical Nutritionist
Though clinical nutritionists work in hospitals, they can also be appointed in nursing care facilities, correctional facilities and even in food service department. These health care professionals also work on the weight of the patient and even design healthful diets for diabetic or patients with serious health problems. A clinical nutritionist working in United States is likely to earn an annual income of $53,200. However, after the revised pays in May 2009, these clinical nutritionists are earning an average of $42,400 to $63,500. A well experienced person may also earn up to $74,700 per year.
Eligibility and Responsibilities
As nutrition is becoming one of the main concerns for people, it is also becoming the most sought after career option for youngsters in the United States. An individual interested in pursuing a career in this field, can aim to acquire associates, bachelors, masters and even a doctorate. Associates degree is the first step towards studying nutrition and pushes you to pursue a Bachelor’s degree. An associates degree is a 2 year course while a Bachelor’s degree takes 4 years to complete. Achieving these two degree can assure a nutritionist job and allow you to become a licensed nutritionist. To expand your career options and potential, achieving a master’s degree is important. In case you want to acquire more knowledge in nutrition, you can further pursue a doctorate. This the highest degree and is sure to earn you a great job and more money.
Following are activities of a clinical nutritionist:
- Regulating the diet of the patient.
- Finding means to control diseases that spread through poor food habits.
- Designing nutrition program, as per the requirement of the patient.
- Testing food products and advising the patients on their diet.
Nutritionists can choose to have their own private practice, work with public health departments or in hospitals. This article mainly focuses on the third type, that work in hospitals to guide the patients with their diet. Such nutritionists are termed as clinical nutritionist. They mainly work in network to come up with a sensible diet plans for the patients. A clinical nutritionist studies the different food nutrients and their effects on the body. They also have to observe and understand how the environment affects the quality of food that we consume. Therefore, in order to become a clinical nutritionist, thorough knowledge in food nutrients is essential.
A clinical nutritionist plays an important role in the life of a patient. Any diet plan designed to fit the requirement of the patient, directly concerns their health. Therefore, such a nutritionist has to be well experienced and has to have a great knowledge in food nutrients and their components. Hence, the pay packet is highly dependent on their working style and experience.