Your Guide To Clinical Nutrition

About the Specialization:
Clinical nutrition is the science which studies the relationship of food and its impact on health and how the interaction within the body in cases of health and disease and in all stages of life from childhood to old age. It includea the study of the specialization of many materials, such as: the foundations of healthy nutrition, biochemistry, and functions of the body, medical statisticians and an overlap between food and medicine and other materials that stages the preparation of highly qualified Clinical Nutrition Specialists to deal with all nutritional problems and develop solutions to solve it so that it is a reliable source of information on nutrition and scientific facts based on evidence.

Is Clinical Nutrition the right choice for me?

Ask yourself these questions:

1. Do you like science and knowledge?
2. Are you interested in food and health’s interaction and their impact on the body?
3. Do you want to learn the basics of scientific research?
4. Are you out going and love communicating with others?
5. Are you a team worker?  
6. Do you have a determination to continue to develop yourself and be informed on the latest developments in science?
7. Do you want to motivate others to Iive a better life?

If you answered yes, then Clinical Nutrition is your path.

How do I become a clinical dietitian?

A. The traditional way:

First, obtain a Bachelor of Clinical Nutrition from the College of Applied Medical Sciences in one of the recognized universities:

Universities offer this specialization within the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia:
- King Saud University in Riyadh
- King Abdulaziz University in Jeddah
- Umm Al Qura University in Mecca
- University of Northern Border
- Jazan University
- University of Hail
- King Khalid University
- University of Hail

Second, You must complete a 1 year internship program rotating in different hospitals & departments.
Example:
- Diabetes
- Heart disease
- Cancer
- Feeding tube
- Outpatient

Third, get a license to practice the profession  as a Clinical Nutrition Specialists from the Saudi Commission for Health Specialties.


B. Do you have a Bachelor of Food Science or Home Economics and want to become a clinical dietitian? 


Do not worry its not too late, you can join a special program approved from the Saudi Commission for Health Specialists to qualify and become a Clinical Nutrition Specialist.
For more information you can visit this link and contact the secretary of the program:
http://arabic.scfhs.org.sa/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&layout=blog&id=462&Itemid=5001


Areas of work as a clinical dietitian?

Contrary to the popular belief it’s not just a hospital based job, there are many other job opportunities and here are some examples:

1. Education
2. Research centers
3. Sports medicine or nutrition for athletes.
4. The private sector or private clinics.
5. Media.
6. The administration & management of nutrition services in various settings.
7. Non-governmental organizations such as UNESCO and United Nations programs.