Therapy & counselling knowledge and skills
Dietitians & Nutritionists must apply the knowledge of principles, methods, and procedures for counselling patients and their families and providing advices and plans on nutrition issues.
Dietitians & Nutritionists
Descriptions & Duties
- Dietitians & Nutritionists advise, plan and implement nutritional programmes. They are responsible for assessing nutritional needs, diet restrictions and current health conditions of patients and clients so as to develop and implement dietary plans, planning and conducting nutrition assessments, intervention programmes, and educating patients and clients to improve nutritional levels, designing menus, supervising preparation and serving of meals, monitoring food intake and quality to provide nutritional care, maintaining and recording progress of clients or patients to determine the need for diet modifications.
Generic Competencies
Physical Abilities
Physical abilities
- Physical strength
- Eye hand coordination / precision / dexterity
Importance:1 (Max:5)
Skill is rarely required
Technology Skills
Technology skills
- Computer literacy
- Application of technology
Importance:3 (Max:5)
Skill is basically required
Cognitive Abilities
Cognitive abilities
- Creativity
- Visualisation
- Logical thinking
Importance:3 (Max:5)
Skill is basically required
Comprehension And Expression
Comprehension and expression skills
- Reading comprehension
- Oral / written expression
Importance:5 (Max:5)
Skill is required all the time
Social Skills
Social skills
- Communication
- Negotiation
- Persuasion
Importance:5 (Max:5)
Skill is required all the time
Organisation And Execution Skills
Organisation and execution skills
- Planning
- Organising
- Judgement
- Decision making
Importance:4 (Max:5)
Skill is frequently required
Problem Solving Skills
Problem solving skills
- Ability to solve simple and complex problems effectively and efficiently
Importance:5 (Max:5)
Skill is required all the time
Management Skills
Management skills
- Leadership
- Management of finance / time / people / other resources
Importance:3 (Max:5)
Skill is basically required
Trade Specific Competencies
General Requirements
Academic qualification
- A bachelor's degree in dietetics, foods and nutrition, food service systems management, clinical nutrition, or related area. A postgraduate diploma or a master of science degree in Human Nutrition and Dietetics, or equivalent.
Professional qualification
- A registered dietitian of Commission of Dietetic Registration, American Dietetic Association; or a registered dietitian of Health & Care Professions Council (UK); or a registered dietitian of Provincial Registration, Dietitians of Canada; or an accredited practising dietitians of Dietitians Association of Australia Being accredited dietitians of the Hong Kong Dietitians Association is preferable
Career Path & Salary
Private Sector
Monthly Salary $30,000-$60,000
Monthly Salary $40,000-$80,000
Monthly Salary $50,000-$110,000
Government Sector
Monthly Salary Master Pay Scale Point 16-33
Monthly Salary Master Pay Scale Point 34-44
*For more details on Civil Service Pay Scales, please visit website of the Civil Service Bureau.
http://www.csb.gov.hk/english/admin/pay/952.html
Related Education & Training
Work Environment
- Dietitians & Nutritionists mostly work in Hospital Authority and Department of Health of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government. They may also work in university health promotion centres, non-government healthcare organisations, sports institute, food and nutrition companies or as private practitioner. They usually work regular business hours, but sometimes may work evenings and weekends to meet with clients.
Tools
- Bodyweight measuring scales - Hydrostatic weighing machines
- Calorimeters - Metabolic carts
- Glucose monitors or meters
