Being a Dietitian

Dietitians are specially trained experts in food and nutrition and aim to promote good health through optimal nutrition. They advise people about their nutritional requirements and help them to choose the correct foods for their health and lifestyle. They also keep the public, health professional groups, food service providers, health promotion organisations, sport and fitness industry, research organisations, food industry and the government informed about health, food and nutrition issues.

What is the difference between a dietitian and a nutritionist?

In New Zealand, people may call themselves a dietitian if they are registered to practice under the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance (HPCA) Act 2003. A dietitian will have studied a prescribed degree in nutrition and then completed a postgraduate diploma in dietetics before gaining registration and being placed on the Dietitians Board Register www.dietitiansboard.org.nz Overseas trained dietitians are required to meet certain conditions before they are placed on the register. Each year a New Zealand Registered Dietitians (NZRD) must be certified in order to gain an annual practicing certificate. This means that the practitioner is fulfilling the requirements for ongoing professional development, is meeting expectations when individually being audited and is complying with the Code of Ethics. Dietitians are sought to practice as nutrition health professionals in clinical health settings such as hospitals in New Zealand but have diverse skills for a variety of settings as outlined above. A person using the title New Zealand Registered Dietitian (NZRD) is certified as meeting the high standards for practicing nutrition and dietetics in New Zealand. There is no other protected title under law in New Zealand for practicing in the field of nutrition.

In New Zealand, anyone may set themselves up to be a nutritionist. People with a wide variety of nutrition training, recency of practice and standards may advertise themselves as a nutritionists. The term 'nutritionist' is not a protected under the law and therefore does not come with a guarantee of competency or guarantee that evidence based nutrition advice is being given. In contrast to dietitians, a nutritionist is not required to: be certified each year, be individually audited every five years, follow a code of ethics or undertake prescribed professional development. Some nutritionists are credentialed through the New Zealand Nutrition Society http://www.nutritionsociety.ac.nz/ These scientists (human, animal and plant nutritionists) will have completed relevant qualifications, have significant professional experience at an appropriate level, maintain a high standard of professional conduct and a commitment to continued professional development in New Zealand.

What training must dietitians undertake?

Dietitians must hold a Bachelor of Science (BSc) or a Bachelor of Consumer and Applied Science (BCApSc) majoring in Human Nutrition and Food Service Management, as well as a Postgraduate Diploma in Dietetics. The Otago University website http://www.otago.ac.nz/courses/qualifications/pgdipdiet.html describes the requirements. Otago University offers all the undergraduate papers required for entry into dietetics. With careful planning, students may study up to 2 years of their undergraduate courses at the Massey University (Albany or Massey). It is recommended that prospective students seek advice from the Director of the Dietetic Training Program at the University of Otago as to what papers from Massey University will meet the competencies required for entry into the Post Graduate Diploma of Dietetics. The Postgraduate Dietetic Training program is offered in Auckland, Hamilton, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin. On completion of the required courses, the student must apply to go on the Dietitians Board register. Every year a dietitian must be certified in order to obtain and annual practicing certificate and use the title New Zealand Registered Dietitian (NZRD). New graduate dietitians, dietitians returning to the workplace after 3 years or more and overseas dietitians are required to have supervision and some dietitians have conditions on their practicing certificate. You can find the current status of a person with dietetic qualifications by going to the Dietitians Board Register http://www.dietitiansboard.org.nz/register.aspx

Continuing Competency for Dietitians

Dietitians must keep up-to-date with new developments and continue to up-skill throughout their career. The New Zealand Dietitians’ Board administers a compulsory continuing competency program which requires dietitians to complete a certain number of credits each year in order to retain their practising certificate. The purpose is to assist a dietitian to enhance their practice and ultimately to protect the health and safety of the public. Dietitians participate in continuing education, cultural competence and practice review activities such as attending seminars, giving presentations, writing for journals, case conferences, journals clubs and other activities. Every five years a dietitian is individually audited and must submit evidence of their work. This determines whether current work experience, length of time in this work and level of experience are congruent with the learning activities and credits assigned to them. The content of an individual’s Learning Plan should apply to the area(s) of nutrition and dietetics in which they currently practise, or intend to practise. The audit also checks that core dietetic competency requirements are met, meaning that the dietitian has entry-level knowledge of human nutritional science and its current application. Dietitians are assessed on four dimensions of quality learning to encourage the intellectual, emotional and social growth. These are the constant acquisition and maintenance of knowledge, skills and attitudes, an understanding at a conceptual level, an understanding of the legal, ethical, social and cultural implications of dietetic practice and a lifelong process. Recency of practice must be demonstrated. Go to www.dietitiansboard.org.nz for full information.

Overseas Trained Dietitians

The Dietitians Board of New Zealand and the Dietitians Association of Australia (DAA) have entered into a "Mutual Recognition Voluntary Relationship Charter", which means that Accredited Practicing Dietitians from Australia may practice in New Zealand after fulfilling basic requirements.

For people holding dietetic qualifications from an institution outside of New Zealand or Australia, the Overseas Candidates Registration Examination (OCRE) is available to persons whose immigration status entitles them to work in New Zealand. For information regarding immigration requirements for dietitians, contact your nearest New Zealand Embassy or High Commission. The Dietitians Board assess overseas trained dietitians on a case by case basis and it is often necessary to complete additional study prior to sitting the OCRE examination. Some overseas trained dietitians are eligible to practice in a scope with conditions. Go to www.dietitiansboard.org.nz for full information.

Overseas candidates may find it useful to join the New Zealand Dietetic Association for support and mentoring during the registration and continuing competency process. NZDA has a branch based network of support for Overseas Trained Dietitians. Email: nzda@dietitians.org.nz

Where do dietitians work?

Many dietitians work in hospital, community or private practice with both individuals and groups, assisting them in making changes to their lifestyles and eating habits. Dietitians work with patients in one-on-one consultations to assess their nutritional needs and plan individualised nutritional care plans. Specialist dietitians work in tertiary hospital settings in paediatrics, renal and other areas of medical speciality. However, dietitians also work in many other areas such as: public health, food service, food and nutrition policy development, health promotion, food industry, sports and fitness industry, and in health and medical practices. Go to www.careers.govt.nz for detailed information on dietetics as a career.

How can I find a dietitian?

This website has a Find a Dietitian section with consultant dietitians listed in geographical areas. Dietitians can also be found in the yellow pages of the phone book, under “Dietitians” or “Diet & Nutrition”. A dietitian may also be accessed through your local medical practice.

How can I find out more about dietitians and dietetics?

Dietitians Board

The Dietitians Board is a statutory body which operates according to the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act 2003. Its key function is the protection of the public of New Zealand through the registration of dietitians. The Board of 8 members appointed by the Minister of Health, sets standards of education and training for NZ trained dietitians and those from overseas wanting to work in NZ. The Board also grants registrations and issues annual practising certificates. It can also exercise disciplinary powers over practitioners. www.dietitiansboard.org.nz

The Board works with NZDA on issues of common interest relating to registration of dietitians, government policy and legislation. Registration for overseas applicants is a 2-stage process to be passed before applicants are allowed to practice in New Zealand.

Press Release - A Portrait of Health

What is a dietitian?