Overview of the role
Dietitians are healthcare professionals that diagnose and treat diet and nutritional problems, both at an individual patient and wider public health level. Working in a variety of settings with patients of all ages, dietitians support changes to food intake to address diabetes, food allergies, coeliac disease, and metabolic diseases. Dietitians also translate public health and scientific research on food, health, and disease into practical guidance to enable people to make appropriate lifestyle and food choices.
Dieticians can support colleagues within the PCN and make recommendations regarding changes to medications for the nutritional management of patients, based on interpretation of biochemical, physiological, and dietary requirements
Example tasks that role is trained to deliver:
- Specialises in diet and lifestyle advice and health promotion
- Use of PGDs
- Clinical Teaching and Research/Audit
Funding
From April 2020, this role will be reimbursed at 100% on the Additional Role Reimbursement Scheme for PCNs.
Training/Development
To practice, dietitians must be registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). To register with the HCPC, completion of an approved degree in dietetics is required This is usually a BSc (Hons) degree, although there are shortened postgraduate programmes available. A degree apprenticeship standard in dietetics has also been approved.
Further Information:
Click the link to find out more about the role, including job descriptions, case studies and more:
e-LfH Dietician
Dieticians in Primary Care – Case Study (HEE)