What does a Dietitian do?
Dietitians use their expertise in nutrition to promote and improve health, and to prevent and treat disease in individuals and communities. As clinicians, dietitians are credentialed to work with individuals in the prevention and treatment of diseases to enhance and maintain optimal health. They may also be responsible for managing food services and in nutrition education. In the community, dietitians monitor, assess and improve the dietary patterns of groups or populations through education, training and promotion.
Dietitians have the opportunity to work in a variety of settings as clinical dietitians in hospitals, aged care facilities and other institutions, as community and public health nutritionists for government and non-government organsiations; in private practice; as sports dietitians; consulting to industry; working in food service, in the analysis of food and in the development of new food products. There are also opportunities in media, journalism, marketing and public relations.
They can provide medical nutrition therapy to clients to assist in their medical management of disease and illness in hospitals, nursing homes, community health centres and private practice. They can be food service consultants to food industries, hospitals, nursing homes and institutional catering services. They can also become community or public health nutritionists in government and non-government organisations, or researchers in their chosen area of practice.
The course gives graduates an understanding of human physiology and biochemistry, public health principles, public health nutrition, food service and health service management, medical nutritional therapy and practice in individual case management, and community nutrition.
Course Highlights
The Bachelor of Health Science (Nutrition and Dietetics) provides an individual with the knowledge and skills needed to practice professionally as a dietitian. The course is accredited through the Dietitians Association Australia, to ensure students can apply for the Accredited Practising Dietitian credential. The course also prepares graduates to work as community dietitians and nutritionists and public health nutritionists. During the course basic sciences such as physiology, biochemistry and nutrition are studied to provide a basis for more advanced concepts. Courses in public health, epidemiology and statistics are supplemented with sociology and counselling. Students also study dietetic subjects in community nutrition, food service and clinical dietetics with the ability to choose a research or non-research stream in the final year. To prepare students for practising professionally, full time professional placements are provided in areas such as community health centres, hospitals, aged care facilities and catering institutions.
Employment Opportunities
Graduates have excellent rates of employment. A career in dietetics offers a wide range of career options, in public and private health sectors, government, food manufacturing and private practice. Many graduates also work in remote areas of Australia and in overseas countries. As a health qualification, the Bachelor of Health Science (Nutrition and Dietetics) also allows entry to other health-related and graduate positions. There are also opportunities to pursue research options with a Masters or PhD
Professional Recognition
Graduates of the Bachelor of Health Science (Nutrition and Dietetics) are eligible for membership of the Dietitians Association of Australia, and may enrol in the Accredited Practising Dietitian Program (ADP). They are also eligible for membership of the Public Health Association of Australia, the Australian Health Promotion Association, Sports Dietitian Association, and Sports Medicine Australia, the Nutrition Society and other bodies.
Student Testimonial
Read about a QUT Public Health Graduate on our Student Testimonial page.