National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2016 Version 1.1

A

Statistics Canada's Trust Centre: Learn how Statistics Canada keeps your data safe and protects your privacy.

National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2016 Version 1.1
Introduction
Hierarchical structure

3132 - Dietitians and nutritionists

Dietitians and nutritionists plan, implement and oversee nutrition and food service programs. They are employed in a variety of settings including hospitals, home health-care agencies and extended care facilities, community health centres, the food and beverage industry, educational institutions, and government and sports organizations, or they may work as private consultants.

  • Illustrative example(s)

    • administrative dietitian
    • clinical dietitian
    • community nutritionist
    • consultant dietitian
    • dietitian
    • dietitian-nutritionist
    • nutrition specialist
    • nutritionist
    • public health dietitian
    • public health nutritionist
    • registered dietitian (RD)
    • research dietitian

    All examples

  • Exclusion(s)

    • Dietary technicians (See 3219 Other medical technologists and technicians (except dental health))
    • Directors of dietetics (See 0311 Managers in health care)
    • Food service supervisors (See 6311 Food service supervisors)
    • Home economists (See 4164 Social policy researchers, consultants and program officers)

  • Main duties

    Dietitians and nutritionists perform some or all of the following duties:

    • Develop, administer and supervise nutrition and food preparation and service programs in hospitals, nursing homes, schools, company cafeterias or similar settings
    • Provide nutrition guidance, label interpretation and consultation services to health professionals, individuals, dietetic interns, community groups, government and the media
    • Evaluate nutritional status of individuals and aid in the prevention and/or treatment of inadequate nutrition
    • Plan, evaluate and conduct nutrition education programs and develop educational materials for various audiences
    • Practice on an individual basis or as a member of an interdisciplinary team to determine nutritional needs of patients and to plan, implement and evaluate normal and therapeutic menus to maintain and enhance general health
    • Analyze current scientific nutritional studies, conduct research and evaluate program effectiveness to improve the nutritional value, taste, appearance and preparation of food
    • Work within industry in the development, testing and evaluation, and marketing of food and nutrition products or as a company representative supplying product related information to health professionals
    • Confer with other health professionals, community groups, government and the media to provide consultation and advice in areas of nutrition interpretation, intervention and policy
    • Supervise training of dietetic interns.

    Dietitians and nutritionists may specialize in areas such as administrative dietetics, clinical dietetics, community dietetics, public health nutrition or research dietetics.

  • Employment requirements

    • Dietitians require a bachelor's or master's degree in dietetics, nutrition or a related field such as food and nutritional science or biochemistry
      and
      A period of supervised practical training.
    • Registration with a regulatory body is required in all provinces for dietitians.
    • Membership in the national association, Dietitians of Canada, may be required for dietitians to practise.
    • Nutritionists usually require similar education and training as dietitians.
    • Registration with a regulatory body is required for nutritionists in Nova Scotia, (as a registered dietitian-nutritionist) in New Brunswick, Quebec and Alberta.
    • Membership with the national association, Dietitians of Canada, and/or a provincial regulatory body is available for nutritionists who have the same education and practical training as dietitians.

  • Additional information

    • Dietitians and nutritionists may progress to management positions through additional experience.
Date modified: