Dietary Technicians - Career Prospects and Educational Requirements
Posted by Jason White on Friday, May 9, 2014
Under: College Education
Dietary technicians are responsible for planning menus and preparing
food for people with special nutritional needs under the supervision of
dietitians. They apply the knowledge of normal and special nutrition and
supervise food preparation and distribution, following standard
recipes, production procedures and established standards.
In addition to this, they are also expected to practice in accordance
with the code of ethics of the appropriate professional association and
supervise operational procedures to meet established standards for
safety and sanitation. However, their job responsibilities may vary
depending upon their employment, job title and individual qualification
and work experience.
Career Prospects
Employers including hospitals, nursing homes, long term care facilities,
seniors' residences, industrial cafeterias, food manufacturers,
catering services, extended care facilities, airline food services and
community agencies hire food service coordinators or diet technicians,
in order to ensure that the food prepared at their facilities meets the
quality, nutritional and hygiene standards.
The employment prospects for food and nutrition managers are bright
because healthcare facilities and food manufacturing companies are
geared up towards providing improvised services and products to their
clients. Adhering to quality and safety standards has become an
essential prerequisite to sustain and grow in today's fiercely
competitive world.
The food and nutrition professionals can pursue rewarding careers as
food and nutrition managers, dietary managers, food service
coordinators, quality control technicians and diet technicians in
nutrition department of hospitals and other healthcare facilities,
and/or other food or nutrition-related industry.
Prerequisites for Becoming a Dietary Technician
Although there has been a significant rise in job opportunities for diet
technicians but the careers in this industry are very challenging. The
professionals need to be equipped to operate in the dynamic and growing
healthcare and food service industry. With the knowledge of nutrition
and food preparation, they must also possess excellent business and
human relations skills to be employable.
In order to gain knowledge and skills required to seek jobs in this
field, individuals need to undergo a formal education and training in
food and nutrition management. A two-year post-secondary course in food
service and nutrition management may be right choice for those who are
looking to build careers in this field.
The program equips them with knowledge in food property analysis,
kitchen production, nutrition management and principles of safety,
hygiene and sanitation as well as skills for menu planning, conduct
medical nutrition therapies, and supervise food preparation.
The food service program
also includes other subjects, such as purchasing for food services
industry, interpersonal approaches in healthcare and food services, food
service accounting, marketing and merchandising for food services
operations, labour cost control, and healthcare menu planning.
Enrolling in a Food Service Program
There are a number of colleges in Canada offering food service and
nutrition management programs. Unfortunately, not all are accredited.
Centennial College's post-secondary program in food service and
nutrition management is accredited by the Canadian Society of Nutrition
Management. It has also received the President's Academic Program
Recognition Award for preparation of job market, student satisfaction,
graduate satisfaction, employer satisfaction and quality of the learning
experience.
The program combines classroom learning, practice seminars, and field
placement to equip students with both theoretical knowledge and
practical skills. In order to apply for this program, students need:
- Secondary school diploma or equivalent
- English Grade 12 C or University or equivalent
- Mathematics 11 M or 12 C or University or equivalent
- Annual police check with vulnerable sector cleaning
- Successful completion and annual renewal of a recognized course in CPR
- Successful completion of a recognized course in Standard First Aid
- Mask fit testing
- Completion of pre-clearance health form by a registered medical practitioner
In : College Education
Tags: food service program food and nutrition management