DTRs are trained food and nutrition practitioners who work under the supervision of a registered dietitian. As an integral part of the health care and foodservice management team, they influence food choices and lifestyles to promote optimal health.

Clinical dietetic technicians, with guidance and/or consultation from registered, licensed dietitians, perform nutritional screening and assessment; develop and implement care plan goals; evaluate the effect of nutrition intervention; and communicate with clients/patients and the medical staff. They also provide nutrition education and counseling to individuals and groups. Foodservice dietetic technicians work as nutrition directors and design menus; supervise personnel, manage food procurement, food production and service; participate in budget and equipment planning; and monitor food safety, sanitation and quality improvement. Community dietetic technicians reach out to the public and direct individuals to information networks and agencies related to nutritional care. Main responsibilities include teaching, monitoring and advising individuals and groups in their efforts to prevent disease and promote good health.

The Dietetic Technician (DT) program at Sinclair is accredited by the Accreditation Council on Education for Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND), located at Suite 2000, 120 South Riverside Plaza, Chicago, Illinois 60606, Phone: (800) 877-1600. ACEND serves the public by establishing standards for educational preparation of dietetic professionals and recognizes dietetic education programs that meet these standards. US Department of Education requires that ACEND review its standards at least once every five years and revise them as necessary. ACEND requires core knowledge & competencies in five domains of practice to ensure proficiency as entry level dietetic technicians. Aggregate data is collected annually to ensure that core knowledge and competencies are being achieved. Program outcomes data is available on request. The DT program awards an Associate of Applied Science degree. The curriculum consists of 72 semester credit hours and integrates didactic instruction with 470 hours of directed practice in health care, community and management settings. The DT program mission is to empower students with food and nutrition knowledge, skills, and competencies for immediate employment or strive for the attainment of a baccalaureate degree. The vision is for students to embrace progressive career and lifelong learning attitudes as they positively influence food choices and lifestyles within their community. Because the number of students is limited, the faculty/student ratio is small. Faculty is able to provide personal and individual attention to student needs. Courses in nutrition, dietetics, and food science are taught by registered/licensed dietitians and chefs with post-baccalaureate education/credentials and/or extensive practitioner experience. For students interested in earning a baccalaureate degree the DT program provides articulation information. Graduates of the program are eligible to take the national credentialing examination for dietetic technicians administered by the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR). Upon successful completion, students earn the credential of dietetic technician, registered (DTR). They are eligible to join the Academy on Nutrition and Dietetics (AND) as well as the Association of Nutrition and Food Professionals (ANFP). Continuing education upon successful completion of a national examination is required by these organizations.

Positions are available in a variety of work settings, including health care, business and industry, community and public health, foodservice and research. DTRs most commonly work in hospitals and clinics, extended care facilities, hospices, home health-care agencies, schools, community and wellness sites.

Salaries for dietetic technicians vary with individual positions responsibilities and geographic locations. According to the ADA (renamed AND 1/12) 2009 Compensation and Benefits Survey, the median annual income in the United States for dietetic technicians registered who have been working at least 1 year is $40,000.