This two-year program provides in-depth knowledge of nutrition and health. The BTS dietetics thus leads to numerous career opportunities in different sectors, both public and private.
Whether you are a recent graduate, a healthcare professional, or seeking information as part of a career change, you will find in this article the different prospects available to you once you have completed the BTS dietetics.
I invite you to take advantage of the optional internship during your BTS dietetics to find your path. If you have doubts, do not hesitate to contact dietitians working in these various sectors to get a more precise opinion.
As a dietitian and trainer, I have identified the 6 possible career paths after your BTS dietetics to help you determine which job suits you best, understand each work environment, and the potential salaries.
📚 Read also | A dietitian has ranked the best distance BTS dietetics programs
Dietitian in a Hospital Setting
In a hospital setting, the dietitian plays an essential role, working hand in hand with the healthcare staff.
She ensures to balance the patients’ diet by adjusting dietary regimes according to their specific needs (salt-free, post-operative diet, etc.).
The hospital dietitian also plays a pedagogical role. Nutritional education is at the heart of her tasks to prepare the patient’s return home with the development of a discharge diet plan, for example.
She can initiate educational and prevention programs for hospital staff, workshops for patients, more or less autonomously, depending on the expectations of the supervising health manager and the budget.
In addition to these responsibilities, the dietitian also manages the hospital’s collective catering: compliance with hygiene standards, supervision of meal trays, and stock management.
Good to know: working as a dietitian in a hospital is relatively sought after and rewarding. Positions are still few, but hiring is done based on the needs of young graduates or more experienced profiles.
Salary: Salaries in the hospital setting start at around 1,900 euros gross, which can increase over the years and with seniority up to 3,500 euros gross.
Freelance Dietitian
More than 40% of dietitians choose to open consultations, often in a mixed practice.
Building a clientele or patient base takes time. I recommend starting within a multi-medical practice, alongside other healthcare professionals who can refer certain patients.
Working as a freelance dietitian can offer great flexibility, while also requiring a fairly wide availability.
The reality is that one must face increasing competition. Retaining nutritional follow-ups is not easy either.
Another crucial point in freelancing: continuing education to keep scientific knowledge up to date and, if desired, specialize over the years.
Welcoming patients in their own practice or through teleconsultations requires essential human qualities: listening, empathy, and kindness.
Good to know: in my opinion, developing skills in administrative management, accounting, and communication is essential to sustain a successful practice.
Salary: It is highly variable depending on part-time or full-time format, averaging from 1,000 to 3,000 euros gross as a freelancer.
Dietitian in Collective Structures
Coordinating and organizing collective catering within various establishments, such as schools, corporate restaurants, or leisure centers, is also among the positions accessible with the BTS dietetics.
The dietitian in collective structures is generally responsible for ensuring good hygiene practices and compliance with standards (HACCP method, food regulations, etc.). She regularly trains the catering staff on nutritional needs.
She creates balanced menus taking into account budgetary and logistical constraints.
Good to know: an interest in microbiology, management, and precision are essential for this career path.
Salary: in collective catering, one usually starts around 1,800 euros, with progression over the years up to 3,300 euros gross.
Dietitian in the Agro-Food Industry
The certified dietitian can also work within the agri-food industry, closely collaborating with R&D (Research and Development).
In this way, she participates in food innovation, product and recipe improvement, as well as in public health. She ensures optimal nutritional quality of ingredients to meet consumer needs.
The advisory aspect and direct contact with patients in other professions are replaced by proximity to the marketing and communication department. For example, you may need to create product sheets.
Depending on the company’s strategy, whether a start-up or industrial, she may be involved in the conduct of epidemiological studies.
Good to know: this sector offers dynamic and versatile positions, sometimes with pressure regarding profitability.
Salary: the dietitian’s remuneration in the agri-food industry ranges between 2,300 and 3,500 euros gross.
Teacher and Trainer
The dietitian profession can lead to teaching and training opportunities. It’s a chance to share your knowledge and expertise with various audiences.
Becoming a teacher when you have a BTS dietetics diploma involves preparing and presenting theoretical and/or practical classes. Also, being comfortable with public speaking and having some pedagogical skills.
The dietitian teacher might also participate in grading BTS exams.
She can work in public or private schools, or train healthcare professionals and other private sector specialists.
Good to know: in classrooms or during conferences, you must commit to scientific monitoring to update your teaching materials.
Salary: Whether salaried or freelance, full-time or part-time, salaries for nutrition teachers range between 1,000 and 3,500 euros.
Communication, Marketing, and Media
For many brands or specialized agencies, the dietitian’s nutrition expertise and food knowledge are seen as a true added value.
To promote products, the tasks are numerous. Writing articles for print or web media, E-books, content creation for social media, podcasts…
This career path is aimed at dietitians with a passion for these new communication and marketing channels. Ideally, pursue additional training in the field.
Good to know: to combine your scientific expertise and communication skills, I recommend setting up as a self-employed professional.
Salary: expect an income ranging from 1,500 to 4,000 euros gross depending on your expertise.
