Nutrition and Dietetic Technology Program

Nutrition and Dietetic Technology Program

Paradise Valley Community College (PVCC) offers a Nutrition and Dietetic Technology Program for students interested in becoming a Nutrition and Dietetics Technician, Registered (NDTR).

Program Description:

The Associate in Applied Science (AAS) in Nutrition and Dietetic Technology is a degree that emphasizes medical nutrition therapy, community nutrition and food service management. Students acquire the knowledge and skills foundation to work in dietetics through the integration of classroom learning and 466 hours of supervised practice. Emphasis is placed on the development of communication and human relations techniques that prepare the graduate for professional success. Upon successful completion of the program, the graduate will be eligible to take the Nutrition and Dietetics Technician, Registered (NDTR) Examination by the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR).

Admission requirements for PVCC, and therefore the Nutrition and Dietetics Program, are listed on page 19 of the Student Manual.  Program prerequisites are listed on page 10 of the Student Manual, and there is currently not an application process for entry into the program. It is recommended that students set up a meeting with a Nutrition and Dietetics Program Advisor prior to enrolling in classes. This can be done by completing the Student Interest Form on the home page. Students are not responsible for finding their own supervised practice sites and/or preceptors. Supervised practice sites for Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT), Food Service Management, and Community Nutrition will be set up for students by the Program Director and faculty. 

Graduation and program completion requirements for which the program is accredited can be found on page 25 in the program’s Student Manual. Availability of financial aid, scholarship information can be found on page 24 in the program’s Student Manual. Students who have a B.A./B.S. degree from an approved dietetics program are eligible to become an NDTR by completing the practicum hours. For information on Credit for Prior Learning for job/professional experiences, refer to page 18 in the Student Manual or PVCC College Catalog, then meet with the Program Director.

Following the completion of the AAS degree at PVCC, students must pass a national written examination administered by the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) to be granted the credential of Nutrition and Dietetics Technician, Registered (NDTR). The requirements and process to become a Nutrition and Dietetics Technician, Registered (NDTR), including education and supervised practice, which can be found in the program’s Student Manual.

Estimated expenses for travel, housing, books, liability insurance, medical exams, drug testing, background checks, verification of student identity (such as for distance learning), uniforms and other program-specific costs/fees, in addition to any institutional fees and tuition can also be found on page 24 in the program’s Student Manual. Information on technology requirements and support can be found on page 19 of the Student Manual.

The Nutrition and Dietetic Technology Program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND) Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, 120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2000, Chicago, Illinois 60606-6995, 800-877-1600, ext. 5400, www.eatright.org.

Job Description:

The Nutrition and Dietetics Technician, Registered (NDTR) is prepared to play a key role in providing quality, cost-effective client care and food service management in a variety of employment settings. Job responsibilities may include patient counseling and education in Medical Nutrition Therapy, medical record documentation, health promotion and disease prevention, menu development, and management skills related to nutrition services and institutional food production.

Opportunities:

NDTRs are an integral part of healthcare and food service management teams. They work independently or in partnership with Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDNs) in a variety of settings: acute and long-term care facilities, community health programs, senior centers, home health care programs, school lunch programs, WIC programs, fitness and wellness centers, weight management clinics, and in business for food companies, vendors and distributors.

Salaries and Job Outlook

According to the 2021 Compensation & Benefits Survey of the Dietetics Profession, salaries have increased steadily over time. The median full-time salary of NDTRs was $49,000 in 2021. As with any profession, salaries and fees vary by region of the country, employment settings, scope of responsibility and supply of NDTRs. Salaries increase with experience and with the highest reported salary at $75,000.

According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of dietitians and nutritionists is projected to grow faster than average for all occupations through the year 2022 because of the increased emphasis on the role of food and nutrition in preventing and treating diseases, a growing and aging population and public interest in nutrition.

https://www.talent.com/salary?job=dtr
https://explorehealthcareers.org/career/nutrition-dietetics/nutrition-dietetic-technician/