If you have a strong interest in nutrition and would like to work alongside of a Registered Dietitian, perhaps a career as a dietetic technician is for you. A Dietetic Technician or DTR can perform many functions in healthcare, business, public health, research, and foodservice settings. Here's be a dietetic tech.
Instructions
1. Enroll in an accredited school that offers the degree of Dietetic Technician. This is typically a two year associates degree and is offered at tech schools.
2. Once you've enrolled and declared a major, make sure to visit your academic adviser. This is very important because they will assure that you get on the right path and do not waste precious time by taking classes that do not apply to the degree of Dietetic Technician.
3. Complete the coursework and get your degree. No matter what it takes, finish school. Remember that you want to become a dietetic technician and this is the only way to get it done. Completion of your coursework will require supervised practical experience where you spend time with a DTR practicing in the field.
4. Once you've graduated, you must take the national exam to become registered. You must pass the exam to be considered a Dietetic Technician, Registered, also known as DTR. After you pass the exam, depending on which state you reside, you'll need to get licensed. In most states, you must do these things in order to practice.
5. Complete continuing education to maintain your registration status. You must complete 50 contact hours of approved continuing education every 5 years in order to maintain your registration status. This is critically important. Failure to do so could result in loss of registration status. You'd have to take the exam again. That would not be enjoyable!
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