Dietary Manager

Dietary managers, also known as dietetic assistants, provide food service and nutritional care under the direction of a dietitian or dietetic technician. Dietary manager is an entry-level position. Duties include assisting in preparing, delivering, and serving meals to patients. Dietary managers receive and store food and take care of kitchen facilities. In most nursing homes and hospitals, dietary managers are the department head, and a registered dietitian handles most of the clinical dietetic tasks.

Work Environment
Dietary managers may be employed in hospitals, nursing homes, school cafeterias, hotels, restaurants, correctional facilities, catering services, and college campuses.

Job Outlook
The career outlook for dietary managers is good. As institutions deal with more government regulations, the need for qualified dietary managers increases.

Length of Training/
Requirements
Completion of an approved 120-hour academic program and 150-hour field experience is required. The course may be taken at a community college, a vocational/technical school, or through an approved correspondence program.

Salary
Salary depends on education, geography, job setting, and experience. Current salaries range from $28,000 - $47,000.

Educational Programs
Alamo Community College District
Collin County Community
College District
Houston Community College System
Lamar University Institute of Technology
North Harris City College
San Jacinto College District Central Campus
Tarrant County Junior College District Southeast Campus
Texas State Technical College - Harlingen Texas State Technical College - Waco

Professional Associations
Dietary Managers Association
One Pierce Pl., Ste. 1220W
Itasca, IL 60143-3111
630/775-9200 or 800/323-1908

Texas Healthcare Association
4214 Medical Parkway
P.O. Box 4554
Austin, TX 78765
512/458-1257
Fax: 512/476-9575