Communication is a necessary aspect of being a dietitian because it is necessary to deal one-on-one with patients. A dietitian cannot be afraid to speak up and tell patients what they need to know. Some patients may become upset and even angry, but this will not disturb a good dietitian, who will continue working closely with such patients anyway. Written communication is also required in some dietitian jobs. A dietitian may need to write up a diet plan to give a patient's family members or primary care physician. These documents should be clear and easily understood.
Dietitians must complete a nutritional degree program that sets forth the relationships between various nutrients and other aspects. A dietitian must be able to assess a patient's needs and build a diet plan that will accommodate those needs. Some degrees a dietitian can pursue include food and nutrition science, food service and dietetics. Required courses for these degrees include economics, statistics, culinary arts and physiology. An American Diabetic Association-accredited school is preferred.
Most states require some form of certification or licensing, so students graduating from a dietitian program must check with their states to learn the requirements. In most cases, this will involve completing a degree program at an accredited university and passing a certification examination. Some certifications may also require completion of an internship.
The desire to help people is one of the driving factors that lead students to dietitian careers. Attention to detail is another important trait because it is necessary to think comprehensively on what to include and exclude in each patient's regimen. Dietitians must have the ability to work with others. Confidence is another important attribute --- having the assurance to make solid decisions while creating sound meal plans.