Nutritional therapist

Nutritional therapist job description: Typical employers | Qualifications and training | Key skills | Useful links | Find jobs and courses

Nutritional therapists work with adults and children who are suffering from complaints such as depression, anxiety, learning difficulties, asthma, skin disease, fatigue, weight problems, arthritis, physical/psychiatric/neurological disorders and migraines.

Typical responsibilities of the job include:

• booking and undertaking confidential one-to-one consultations with clients
• gaining information from clients about previous dietary/lifestyle history
• analysing and interpreting laboratory test results
• assessing and planning treatment requirements
• recommending appropriate nutritional supplements/diets
• providing education, information and advice about lifestyle, exercise, diet and nutrition
• creating and keeping accurate confidential records and reports
• tracking progress of clients on treatment plans
• undertaking general administrative and business management tasks
• attending conferences and training events
• keeping up to date with developments in the profession
• marketing and promoting the business
• undertaking financial administration.

Typical employers of nutritional therapists

• private practices
• specialist clinics
• complementary healthcare clinics.

Most nutritional therapists are self-employed. Information about the career is available from The Institute for Optimum Nutrition, which maintains a register of nutritional therapists.

Qualifications and training required

It is essential to possess a strong science background (A levels in chemistry, biology, physiology, anatomy or food science are often required). A degree/HND in a relevant subject (for example chemistry, biology, medicine, nursing, nutrition, dietetics, health studies, food science and technology) can be beneficial.

Nutritional therapy courses are offered at diploma, degree and postgraduate level at a number of universities and colleges. Courses can be expensive and students are almost always self-funded. Relevant experience is not normally needed, although course providers may expect some knowledge of the profession.

The main UK accrediting body is the British Association for Applied Nutrition & Nutritional Therapy (BANT), although there are several accrediting bodies as there are currently no national/government regulations governing the profession.

Key skills for nutritional therapists

• interactive skills
• strong memory
• innovation
• good interpersonal skills
• planning skills
• communication skills
• analytical and information skills.