How Do I Become a Renal Dietitian?

There are qualifications to become a renal dietitian that include obtaining a bachelor's degree in nutrition, gaining experience, and finding out about the licensure or registration process where you live. Once you meet the requirements, you can being to apply for jobs to become a renal dietitian. In many cases, an internship is required during or after your undergraduate program. Renal dietitian positions can be found in hospitals, at nutrition clinics, and in dialysis centers throughout the world. These specialized dietitians can assist individuals with their dialysis diet and educate patients on kidney disease nutrition.

In order to be admitted into a bachelor's nutrition program at a college or university, you need to have a high school diploma. Nutrition programs can be competitive, so it is a good idea to attempt to have a high grade point average (GPA) in your high school classes. Once admitted, nutrition programs consist of science, mathematics, and specialized nutrition courses. Graduate degrees are also available and can help the chances of finding a job in your specialty.

Upon completion of your undergraduate degree, you should apply to internship programs in the area of renal dietetics. Renal dietetics focuses on providing nutrition information and counseling to patients, and their families, who are undergoing kidney treatment. An interest in this area of nutrition is needed to become a renal dietician who is successful in the field. The internship can be located at any facility that provides this type of treatment, lasts for approximately one year, and can provide you with the training needed to become a registered dietitian and get hired at a position in the field.

In many countries, it is necessary to be licensed to become a renal dietitian, which occurs through a combination of education and your internship training. Contact your local health department to learn more about the registration process so that you can begin applying for jobs. You should also find out if you need to take an examination to become a renal dietitian. This is necessary in some parts of the world, and for certain positions, but is not always a requirement.

There are openings at many facilities to become a renal dietitian. Consider looking for jobs at hospitals, in private care facilities, and in nutrition clinics. You can also find positions through professional associations devoted to renal dietetics or nutrition. Be prepared for the job application process by updating your resume, writing a quality cover letter, and speaking to individuals you would like to use as references. If you are asked to interview with an organization, make sure to dress professionally and talk about the positive attributes that would make you a good candidate for the position.