Majors at ECC: Allied Health Division

imageFOOD SERVICE ADMINISTRATION - DIETETIC TECHNOLOGY - NUTRITION CARE

Program Description

The current emphasis on nutrition care as a fundamental part of present day health care has increased the demand for dietetic technicians in the nutrition field. This is a career for those who enjoy working with people to achieve nutritional well-being. Dietetic technicians work in association with the food service manager and under the supervision of a registered dietician to provide nutritional care to individuals in health care facilities.

The primary objective of this curriculum is to prepare technicians to be capable of interviewing patients regarding food patterns, counseling patients in dietary practices, reporting nutritional status and progress to other health care professionals, monitoring food consumption of clients, calculating nutrient components, and planning and supervising food service.

Courses in the curriculum provide an orientation to the health field and dietary services. Nutrition care is emphasized with courses in nutrition and modified diets, and clinical experiences in each of the last three semesters is provided. In the fourth semester field experience, students learn the principles of food service and dietary management.

Graduates qualify for employment as dietetic technicians in hospitals, nursing homes, adult residences, children’s residential homes, and community agencies. Those who successfully complete the program also meet minimum N.Y.S. requirements for food service managers in health care facilities.

Accreditation

  • The Dietetic Technician Program is currently accredited by the Commission on Accreditation/Approval for Dietetic Education of the American Dietetic Association, a specialized accrediting body recognized by the Commission on Recognition of Postsecondary Accreditation and the United States Department of Education.
  • Graduates of the Dietetic Technology Program are eligible to write the registration examination for dietetic technicians. This examination is administered by the Commission on Dietetic Registration. Successful completion of the examination credentials the individual as a Dietetic Technician Registered (DTR).

Degree: Associate in Applied Science
Hegis: 5404
Curriculum Code: 0573
Total Degree Credits: 66.0
Campus Location: North
Allied Health Division