The Dietetic Technician pathway prepares students for careers supporting registered dietitian nutritionists in medical facilities, food service operations, corporate wellness programs, and community health settings across Florida. Students develop competencies in nutrition science, meal planning, dietary modifications, food service management, and patient nutrition support. This pathway combines culinary foundations with nutrition science and serves the growing demand for nutrition professionals in healthcare and wellness settings.
Dietetic technicians are essential members of the healthcare team, supporting nutrition therapy, meal planning, and food service operations. Florida's aging population, prevalence of chronic diseases, and growing wellness awareness create strong demand for nutrition support professionals. The pathway emphasizes evidence-based nutrition practice, patient-centered care, and food service excellence in supporting health outcomes.
Students master nutrition science, medical nutrition therapy, therapeutic diet preparation, food service operations, and patient communication. The curriculum includes food production experience and supervised practice in healthcare settings. Graduates understand the critical role of nutrition in disease prevention, treatment, and health promotion across diverse populations.
Dietetic Technician at a Glance
2
Courses
8
Credentials
4
Career Paths
State Standards & Framework
Florida's dietetic technician curriculum aligns with the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND) standards and includes comprehensive nutrition and food science foundations. Students master nutrition science, pathophysiology as applied to nutrition therapy, medical nutrition therapy concepts, and food safety. The curriculum covers food service operations, menu planning, therapeutic diet preparation, and patient education for various medical conditions.
Students prepare for the Dietetic Technician Registered (DTR) credentialing examination through comprehensive coursework in nutrition, food science, and food service management. The program integrates supervised practice experiences in healthcare settings. Curriculum emphasizes evidence-based nutrition practice, cultural competency in nutrition counseling, and the role of dietetic technicians in healthcare teams.
Typical Course Sequence
| Course | Code |
|---|---|
| Nutrition and Food Science | 8801100 |
| Dietetic Technician | 1351310301 |
Industry Certifications & Credentials
- ✓Guest Service Gold - Tourism
- ✓First Aid/CPR/AED
- ✓National Career Readiness Certificate (NCRC)
- ✓ServSafe Food Handler
- ✓ServSafe Manager
- ✓ProStart Certificate of Achievement - Year 1
- ✓ProStart Certificate of Achievement - Year 2
- ✓Hospitality Tourism Specialist (HTS)
Career Opportunities
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2024). Growth projections from BLS Employment Projections (2023-2033). Cost-of-living adjustment uses BEA Regional Price Parities (2023). Entry-level salaries reflect the 25th percentile; experienced salaries reflect the median.
Dietetic Technician - Hospital
Entry LevelSalary range: $37,610 - $56,270
Dietetic Technician - Long-Term Care
Entry LevelSalary range: $37,610 - $56,270
Food Service Supervisor
ExperiencedSalary range: $50,360 - $82,330
Nutrition Services Manager
ExperiencedSalary range: $61,250 - $79,730
Work-Based Learning Opportunities
Internships place students in hospital nutrition services, long-term care facility food service operations, corporate wellness programs, and dialysis center nutrition support roles where they prepare therapeutic meals, educate patients about nutrition, and support registered dietitian practice.
Career & Technical Student Organization
Students in this pathway can participate in HOSA-Future Health Professionals, gaining leadership experience and competing in career-related events.
How Sage Helps Florida CTE Programs
AI-Powered Curriculum
Generate standards-aligned lesson plans in minutes, not months
Florida Standards Built In
Pre-loaded with Florida's CTE standards and frameworks
Teacher Customization
Teachers personalize content while maintaining standards alignment
Ongoing Updates
Curriculum stays current as Florida standards and industry needs evolve
Related Pathways in Florida
Culinary Arts
Florida's Culinary Arts pathway prepares students for careers in the state's vibrant food service industry. With world-class restaurants, resort dining, cruise ship operations, and theme park food service, Florida offers diverse culinary career pathways from fine dining to large-scale food production. The program provides comprehensive training in cooking techniques, baking and pastry, menu planning, food safety, and kitchen management. Students work in professional kitchen environments, often operating student-run restaurants that serve real customers. Many programs specialize in areas like international cuisine reflecting Florida's multicultural population. Florida's culinary pathway emphasizes both classical techniques and contemporary trends, along with the business and management skills needed for restaurant operations. Students work toward industry certifications including ServSafe that are recognized nationwide, preparing for immediate employment or postsecondary culinary education.
Hospitality & TourismHealth Science
Florida's Health Science pathway prepares students for careers in one of the state's largest and fastest-growing employment sectors. With extensive healthcare facilities across the state, from major medical centers in Miami, Tampa, and Jacksonville to specialized hospitals and long-term care facilities, Florida's healthcare industry provides abundant career opportunities. The pathway includes five specialized tracks: Therapeutic Services, Diagnostic Services, Health Informatics, Support Services, and Biotechnology Research and Development. Students gain foundational knowledge in anatomy, physiology, medical terminology, and patient care while specializing in their chosen track. Florida's emphasis on industry certifications enables students to earn credentials like CNA before graduation. The program connects students with Florida's healthcare ecosystem through clinical rotations, internships, and partnerships with healthcare facilities throughout the state. With Florida's aging population and expanding healthcare infrastructure, demand for healthcare professionals continues to grow.
Health ScienceRestaurant Management
The Restaurant Management pathway prepares students for careers managing food service operations, dining establishments, catering companies, and institutional food service across Florida. Students develop competencies in food production, inventory management, financial controls, staff supervision, and customer service. This pathway serves Florida's diverse restaurant industry ranging from casual dining chains to upscale fine dining establishments while addressing the hospitality sector's critical need for skilled management professionals. Restaurant managers lead teams and manage complex operations including food costs, labor expenses, quality control, and customer satisfaction in fast-paced environments. Florida's extensive dining scene, tourism industry, and population diversity create abundant opportunities for restaurant management professionals. The pathway emphasizes both culinary knowledge and the business acumen necessary to operate profitable food service enterprises. Students master food safety and nutrition principles, food production techniques, inventory and cost control, financial management, menu planning, and leadership. The curriculum includes hands-on experience in restaurant kitchens and service areas. Graduates develop understanding of the complete restaurant operation from guest experience to back-of-house food production and financial management.
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