Registered Dietitian

Registered dietitians, or nutritionists, assess and provide for the nutritional needs of the patient with a disability. They assist the doctor and provide a treatment plan which may include the following:

• Ideal body weight, caloric, and dietary needs

• Foods that help facilitate swallowing

• Special diets

• Dietary modifications that need to be made as a result of the disability

• Tube feeding formulas and schedules for patients who are unable to swallow

• Patient and family education on nutrition topics related to diseases (for example, diabetes)

Registered dietitians may practice in a variety of settings, including the following:

• Hospitals

• Inpatient rehabilitation centers

• Home health settings

• Private practice

• School districts

• Community or government nutrition programs

Registered dietitians hold an undergraduate degree, have completed an approved internship program, and have passed a national exam to be credentialed as Registered Dietitians. Many have also earned a master's degree in dietetics or nutrition science.