60-Dieticians and nutritionists

Job Title: 

Dieticians and nutritionists

Job Description: 

Plan and conduct food service or nutritional programs to assist in the promotion of health and control of disease and apply the art and science of human nutrition to help people understand the relationship between food and health.

Summary: 

Dieticians and nutritionists assess, plan and implement programs to enhance the impact of food and nutrition on human health and provide information to assist patients make informed choices about establishing and following a healthy diet choices and understand and deploy measures to that can aid in preventing illness and disease. They may also provide advise on treatment options that could be explored. In some instances they may supervise activities of a department providing quantity food services, counsel individuals, or conduct nutritional research. Registration or licensure with a relevant government authority or agency may be a prerequisite to practice.

Tasks: 

Job activities and tasks include:

  • instructing individuals, families and communities on nutrition, the planning of diets and preparation of food to maximize health benefits and reduce potential risks to health
  • planning diets and menus, supervising the preparation and serving of meals, and monitoring food intake and quality to provide nutritional care in settings offering food services
  • compiling and assessing data relating to health and nutritional status of individuals, groups and communities based on nutritional values of food served or consumed
  • planning and conducting nutrition assessments, intervention programmes, and education and training to improve nutritional levels among individuals and communities
  • consulting with other health professionals and care providers to manage the dietary and nutritional needs of patients
  • developing and evaluating food and nutrition products to meet nutritional requirements
  • conducting research on nutrition and disseminating the findings at scientific conferences and in other settings
Knowledge: 

Higher specialized knowledge of principles, concepts and techniques in field of work, discipline and/or professional practice

  • Advanced knowledge of analyzing, planning, managing and establishing ideas, policies, strategies, projections and/or conditions in the field of work, discipline and/or professional practice
  • Higher knowledge of research principles and methods
  • Higher knowledge of high level governance of systems, processes and procedures including legislative, regulatory, standards, codes and conventions
  • Broad knowledge of recent developments in the field of work, discipline and/or professional practice
  • Broad knowledge of principles, concepts and techniques in management, economics, finance, statistics and fiscal disciplines related to the field of work and/or professional practice
  • Broad knowledge of political, government, legislative and regulatory systems related to the field of work
  • Broad knowledge of laws, regulations, standards codes and conventions of the UAE and specific Emirates related to the field of work, discipline and/or professional practice and more general subjects including OHSE and cultural understanding and awareness
  • Broad knowledge of principles, concepts and techniques in sensitively managing complex ethical issues
  • Leverage information technology, management information systems, management techniques and tools for optimal field of work performance and/or professional practice
  • Skills in research, analysis, consultation and synthesis of information to evaluate ideas, policies, strategies, projections and/or conditions and produce recommendations and/ or relevant options
  • Manage higher level relationships and organize related activities of respective stakeholders
  • Higher skills and experience in broad based policy analysis, formulation and research, plus planning in sensitive and confidential environment
  • Develop concepts and convey strategic suggestions from the spectrum of development experience
  • Broad level negotiation cultural sensitivity and diplomatic skills
  • Use of information, tools, resources to support broad-level and complex work achievement
  • Work sensitively and effectively in a multi-cultural environment
  • Work with others to develop creative solutions to complex predictable and new contexts problems
  • Communicate with effect, and a proven record of developing and maintaining active partnerships across an organization and with diverse external clients and other key stakeholders
  • Highly developed higher oral and written communication, interpersonal and representational skills, and a proven ability to use these skills to prepare and present clear, concise, high quality advice
  • Highly developed leadership and effective management skills, with capacity to implement and sustain improvements within a team environment, as well as the ability to work flexibly and cooperatively as a member of a team
  • Personal drive and integrity, the ability to self-manage and the capacity to identify and effectively control risks associated with change, as well observe ethical standards related to complex ethical issues
  • Achieving results within tight timelines, and capacity to set and implement new policy directions
  • Highly developed broad organizational skills, including the ability to organize priorities and meet tight deadlines
    • Work Context: 

    May have a high level of contact with the public. Usually work in institutes, foundations, schools, hospitals, homes, government agencies, not-for-profit organizations and in the community. They may also work in hospices, community and residential centres and the courts. Typically, they undertake to visit people in their locations, centres or homes. The work can often be very stressful, as they may deal with challenging and highly distressed patients or clients.

    Education: 

    Bachelor degree in nutrition and dietetics, food and nutrition or a related field, such as food and nutrition, exercise and sport science or relevant field of work/discipline, higher qualification or equivalent.

    Required Work Experience: 

    5 years and above

    Probable Employers: 

    Khalifa Medical City, Gulf Diagnostic Centre Hospital, NMC Hospital, Mubadala Health Care

    Occupational Size: 
    Less than 5,000
    Expected Earnings: 

    Higher than the industry average

    Projected Growth: 
    Excellent
    Alternate Titles: 

    Examples of job titles:
    Clinical dietician - Food service dietician - Nutritionist - Public health nutritionist - Sports nutritionist
    Examples of some related occupations:
    Dietician - Registered dietician - Correctional food service supervisor - Dietary manager, nutritionist, - Outpatient dietician, - Paediatric clinical dietician - Registered dietician - Consumer scientist - Dietary aide - Environmental health officer - Health promotion practitioner - Home economist - Sports scientist - Weight loss counsellor

    UAE Industry Groups: 
    Community, health and social services
    International Careers(ISCO): 
    Similar O*NET Careers (USA) : 
    Source Of Info: 
    Occupations and Careers Handbook for UAE Nationals(Copyright NQA ). Referenced from New York University, Abu Dhabhi