Dietitian

On a dietitian apprenticeship course, you’ll help assess, diagnose and monitor the impact of jointly agreed treatment plans.

Dietitians are often employed by the NHS and work in hospitals and communities. You may potentially work in the food industry, higher education, sports, the media, or national or local government. You’ll utilise your communication and behaviour-change skills to assist people in adopting a better lifestyle and food choices wherever you work in this job.

You will work with another person to assess, diagnose, and monitor the efficacy of mutually agreed-upon treatment methods. From birth through old age, you’ll treat people in health and nutrition, gather and analyse information from various sources, such as blood test results and diagnostic exams, and provide a customised practical action plan using a holistic, person-centred approach.

You will effectively help prevent and treat various illnesses by using evidence-based practices. For example, dietitians may advise organisations and individuals from different demographics and regions on healthy eating habits.

What you’ll learn

On a dietitian apprenticeship course, you’ll learn to:

• Choose and use various communication methods, skills, techniques, and technology, including nonverbal communication abilities, that are suitable for the varied range of people, groups, and communities that need dietetic services—for example, group presentations or one-on-one discussions.
• Assess, choose, and use various methods, technologies, and resources to meet the nutritional requirements of people, groups, and communities.
• Collect and analyse complex data to assess people’s and groups’ physical, psychological, economic, and nutritional health to support dietetic treatments.
• Analyse and interpret the gathered data to determine nutritional requirements and diagnose dietetics.
• Create dietetic treatment plans based on dietetic diagnosis, including objectives and timeframes suited to the requirements of individuals and groups.
• Create, formulate, and assess the effectiveness of appropriate and practical dietary advice for individuals, groups, and populations, such as safe food preparation and handling procedures, the impact of food processing on nutritional quality, menu planning, and nutritional information, including food labels.
• Empower people to achieve the treatment plan’s goals by discussing and agreeing on various activities, such as referrals to other organisations.
• Individual medical records must be managed, maintained, and audited.
• Reflect critically on one’s practice, take personal responsibility, and contribute to others’ professional growth
• Conduct research audits and evaluations to enhance the quality of dietetic services offered.
• Collect and analyse data utilising statistical, epidemiological, and research abilities to reach sound findings and enhance dietetic practice.
• Collaborate with the larger health and social care team to offer the best treatment and care possible.
• Manage one’s workload, time, and resources by delegating, referring, signposting, and discharging as needed.
• Make the most of your leadership abilities.

Entry requirements

You’ll usually need:

• Three A-levels, including biology or equivalent qualifications.
• Apprentices without level 2 English and maths will need to achieve this before taking the end-point assessment.

Assessment methods

The End Point Assessment comprises two distinct assessment methods: 

• Practice Assessment Document
• Observation

Duration, level, subjects and potential salary upon completion

Apprenticeship standard

More information about the Level 6 Dietitian Apprenticeship standard can be found here.

Apprenticeship end point assessment

For more information about the End Point Assessment Process, please read the Institute of Apprenticeships’ information page.