Dietician versus nutritionist: What’s the difference?
Dieticians and nutritionists have similar jobs. Both receive post-secondary education related to nutrition, human anatomy, biology and counseling. However, there are some major differences between the two roles. Let’s compare a dietician versus a nutritionist to explore how they differ.
Education
A dietician must earn at least a bachelor’s degree from a program approved by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) or request to have the ACEND approve their program before they begin their studies. As a part of their degree program, they must obtain at least 1,200 hours of supervised clinical experience working with real people. Many dieticians receive additional graduate-level training, completing certificate or master’s degree programs.
The type of education a nutritionist has varies widely. Some may hold a bachelor’s or master’s degree, but others may only complete a post-secondary certificate or diploma program. Clinical experience may or may not be a part of their post-secondary training.
Certification
To refer to themselves as dieticians, a professional must gain Registered Dietician (RD) certification status from the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND). In addition to meeting the education and clinical training requirements outlined above, prospective dieticians must also pass a written examination.
As a nutritionist, certification is often voluntary. The Clinical Nutrition Certification Board offers the Certified Clinical Nutritionist (CCN) credential to individuals who hold a bachelor of science, master’s degree, doctor of philosophy or doctor of science degree in any field and complete a certain number of credit hours in nutrition-related coursework. The CCN also mandates that candidates pass an examination.
Nutritionists may also seek voluntary certification through the American Nutrition Association (ANA). The organization grants the Certified Nutrition Specialist (CNS) certification to individuals who complete coursework at an accredited post-secondary institution, participate in 1,000 hours of clinical training and pass an examination. The CNS certification is generally more common among nutritionists.
Focus
Dieticians and nutritionists both provide counseling to people and can develop menus and eating plans. However, they specialize in different areas. Dieticians work closely with medical professionals, helping people manage symptoms of chronic conditions and recover from illnesses through nutritional therapy. For example, they may help a person with diabetes learn to count carbs and make food choices that will keep their blood sugar levels well-regulated.
Nutritionists focus on general health and well-being rather than on the treatment of medical conditions. They can calculate the nutritional needs of a person and then tell them how many calories and how much protein, carbohydrates and fats they should strive to eat daily. People see nutritionists to accomplish goals such as losing weight and improving their overall health and well-being.
Nutritionist vs. dietician: deciding which to hire
Since there are major differences between dieticians and nutritionists in terms of their education, certification and focus, you’ll need to think carefully about which job is best for your business or institution. When deciding whether to hire a nutritionist vs. a dietician, consider the following.
Setting
The type of setting is one of the biggest considerations when deciding between nutritionist vs. dietician professionals. If the person you hire will be working with people who have medical conditions, a dietician is likely the right choice. Hospitals, outpatient medical clinics and long-term care facilities typically hire dieticians.
Nutritionists can be beneficial for generally healthy people who want to learn to eat a healthier diet. You might consider hiring one to work at your gym or weight loss center. Schools may also hire nutritionists to develop and review lunch menus and ensure they meet the nutritional needs of students.
State laws
If your institution or business is subject to state laws and regulations, you may not have a choice about who you can hire. For example, some states require long-term care facilities to consult a Registered Dietician when developing meal plans for residents. Check with the state agency or department responsible for regulating your industry before you start the hiring process.
Size and makeup of your team
How many nutrition professionals your facility or institution has on the team may impact your hiring decision. For example, a school district that has only one person reviewing menus for each school may wish to hire a Registered Dietician because they will be capable of customizing dining options for students with special needs. A school district that has multiple nutritional professionals on staff may wish to hire one Registered Dietician and fill other vacancies with nutritionists.
If a nutritionist’s focus is in line with your business needs, you’ll need to decide how important certification is to your business. Because they must demonstrate knowledge in their fields to gain the credentials, certified nutritionists may be higher quality candidates for open positions at institutions or businesses that employ only one nutritional professional.
Insurance
Whether your institution, practice or business accepts medical insurance may influence your decision. Medicare will typically only cover nutrition therapy provided by a Registered Dietician. Medicaid rules for nutrition therapy coverage vary by state. Private health insurance rules vary as well. Before you begin the hiring process, check with major payors to find out the specific criteria for reimbursement that you must meet.
Budget
Generally, dieticians earn higher salaries than nutritionists due to their professional credentials and training. As a result, dieticians will usually fall into a higher salary band than nutritionists. If the job setting, state laws and size and makeup of your team give you the flexibility to hire either type of professional, consider whether you have enough room in your budget to pay the higher wages that dieticians are likely to expect.
Dietician versus nutritionist FAQs
Can I consider both nutritionists and dieticians for my open position?
Whether you can consider both nutritionists and dieticians for your open position depends on the nature of the job. Generally, dieticians can fill the role of a nutritionist due to their education and training. A nutritionist is less likely to be able to work as a dietician because they generally lack the medical knowledge needed to succeed in the field.
How do I clarify whether I need to hire a nutritionist or a dietician in my job description?
When writing a job description, indicate in the headline and body what type of professional you prefer to hire. Outline your expectations regarding certification and education along with other qualifications in bullet points. Include information about what the job involves and who your institution or business serves. Doing so will allow candidates to assess how well their previous work experience matches your needs.
What types of benefits and perks may appeal to dieticians and nutritionists?
Dieticians and nutritionists are likely to value the same benefits as other employees, such as health, dental and vision insurance as well as retirement accounts. Registered Dieticians and certified nutritionists must complete continuing education requirements to maintain their status and may need to take recertification tests, depending on the credentials they hold.
Offering to pay for continuing education classes and recertification fees could set your job listing apart from others. You may also wish to consider a tuition reimbursement program to cover the cost of higher education in nutrition or a loan repayment program that will pay down a dietician or nutritionist’s student loan debt.
