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Specialist dietitian: Ellen

This Case Study belongs to Dietician.

Following a four-year undergraduate degree course and successful state registration, I applied for a graduate post, was interviewed and was recruited!

I choose to be a dietitian with the advice of a careers adviser and because the mum of a girl at school was a dietitian. I spent a day with her and loved it! I knew I wanted to do something food related and wanted to help people.

If you apply for a job, contact the department for an informal chat. Ask to go and have a look at the department and hospital (it shows you’re keen).

The clinical placement was a great opportunity to gain experience both in knowledge and how to interact with other professionals.

Over the past years I’ve specialised into my current clinical field.

In my current role, I assess patients in various settings including the intensive care unit, the ward, outpatient clinics and patients' homes. I devise nutrition care plans including artificial nutrition support; this could be anything from feeding via tubes, to patients eating higher calorie foods, to specialised plans for patients who've had bowel surgery. I also take measurements including weights, mid-arm circumferences and skinfold thickness. Care plans have to be altered depending on these results and blood results.

In my job, I enjoy talking to patients and problem solving - and every day’s different!

Ther isn't much that I don't like about my job. Travelling can sometimes be a chore;especially if you’re not sure where you’re going!

I'd eventually like to become a consultant in my profession (this is a fairly new grade).

Case Study sourced by Darren Johnson of AGCAS, 09 October 2008.