How to hire a dietetic assistant

How to hire a dietetic assistant, step by step

Here's a step-by-step dietetic assistant hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a dietetic assistant job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new dietetic assistant
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   The dietetic assistant hiring process starts by determining what type of worker you actually need. Certain roles might require a full-time employee, whereas part-time workers or contractors can do others.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   A dietetic assistant's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, dietetic assistants from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

   This list shows salaries for various types of dietetic assistants.

   Type of Dietetic Assistant	Description	Hourly rate
   Dietetic Assistant		$12-19
   Dietary Aide	A dietary aide is responsible for assisting food preparations and ensuring that the meals adhere to an individual's specific diet plans. Dietary aides must strictly follow sanitation standards and hygiene procedures to guarantee the safety and quality of the service... Show more	$10-16
   Diet Technician	A Diet Technician identifies patients with nutritional risk using scoring guidelines and initiates referrals for dietetic assessment. They oversee food production or service and assist dietitians or nutritionists in food service supervision and planning.	$12-19

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Patients
   • Customer Service
   • Tray Line
   • Patient Satisfaction
   • Patient Care
   • Room Service
   • Computer System
   • Food Preparation
   • Food Preferences
   • Patient Menus
   • Diet Changes
   • Allergies
   • Quality Food
   • Tube Feedings

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Communicate information clearly about allergies and campus health movements through presentations, phone calls, and emails.
   • Conduct interviews to develop personal menu or food choices taking into account allergies and other health risks.
   • Consult new patients and assist in offering dietary advice under supervision of license dietitians.
   • Collect data from scientific literature about nutrition care topics and calorie and protein recommendations for patients with different conditions.
   • Assist the nutrition in identifying and encouraging the residents to maintain specific dietary needs/restrictions for residents at an inpatient rehabilitation facility.
   • Conduct research and create PowerPoint presentations for wellness programs.

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your dietetic assistant job description is a great way to entice the best and brightest candidates. A dietetic assistant salary can vary based on several factors:

   • Location. For example, dietetic assistants' average salary in georgia is 52% less than in washington.
   • Seniority. Entry-level dietetic assistants earn 39% less than senior-level dietetic assistants.
   • Certifications. A dietetic assistant with a few certifications under their belt will likely demand a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for a prestigious company or an exciting start-up can make a huge difference in a dietetic assistant's salary.

   Average dietetic assistant salary

   $15.58hourly

   $32,415 yearly

   ---

   Entry-level dietetic assistant salary

   $25,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 14, 2025

4. Writing a dietetic assistant job description

   A job description for a dietetic assistant role includes a summary of the job's main responsibilities, required skills, and preferred background experience. Including a salary range can also go a long way in attracting more candidates to apply, and showing the first name of the hiring manager can also make applicants more comfortable. As an example, here's a dietetic assistant job description:

   Dietetic assistant job description example

   How to Apply
   
   A cover letter is NOT required for consideration.
   
   Summary
   
   Call Center position, within the department of Patient Food and Nutrition Services, that is dedicated to supporting patients, departmental staff members and allied health professionals. This position is responsible for reinforcing a positive image of the Health System to all customers. They use information systems and customer service skills to facilitate customer interactions such that the customer experiences the Health System as an accessible, coordinated and seamless entity.
   
   Mission Statement
   
   The mission of the University of Michigan is to serve the people of Michigan and the world through preeminence in creating, communicating, preserving and applying knowledge, art, and academic values, and in developing leaders and citizens who will challenge the present and enrich the future. The University of Michigan is committed to foster learning, creativity and productivity, and to support the vigorous exchange of ideas and information, not only in the classroom but in the workplace by:
   
   * Creating a work environment in which people treat each other with respect and dignity, regardless of roles, responsibilities or differences.
   * Providing support, direction and resources enabling us to accomplish the responsibilities of our jobs and to reach the goals that are set for professional and personal growth.
   
   Responsibilities*
   
   * Responds to a high volume of room service patient telephone requests; enters selections into CBORD software program
   * Obtain patient's meal selections for their prescribed diet order. Use a portable wireless computing device to enter selections into CBORD.
   * Utilize CBORD and MiChart computer systems to verify diet order and allergy information
   * Resolves routines questions and problems, and refers more complex issues to higher levels
   * Enters outpatient billing information into computer software system
   * Perform general office tasks such as preparing copies and printing reports
   * Delivers menus and other food service related items to inpatient nursing units
   
   Required Qualifications*
   
   * High School Diploma.
   * Must possess basic computer skills and the ability to learn new computer applications. Proficient in utilization of email systems.
   * Strong interpersonal and communication skills. Able to exhibit a professional and positive image when interacting with patients, departmental staff members and allied health professionals. Able to function as a team member with flexibility in a changing and challenging work environment.
   * Able to lift 15 pounds and walk a considerable distance.
   
   Desired Qualifications*
   
   * Associate degree, or post high school education at an accredited university or college.
   * Work or volunteer experience related to healthcare and/or dietetics.
   * Demonstration of customer service and problem-solving skills.
   * Experience working with MiChart and CBORD software.
   
   Work Schedule
   
   This posting is for the morning, day, and evening shift openings. Staff working this position can expect to work on weekends and holidays.
   
   Background Screening
   
   Michigan Medicine conducts background screening and pre-employment drug testing on job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent job offer and may use a third party administrator to conduct background screenings. Background screenings are performed in compliance with the Fair Credit Report Act. Pre-employment drug testing applies to all selected candidates, including new or additional faculty and staff appointments, as well as transfers from other U-M campuses.
   
   Application Deadline
   
   Job openings are posted for a minimum of seven calendar days. The review and selection process may begin as early as the eighth day after posting. This opening may be removed from posting boards and filled anytime after the minimum posting period has ended.
   
   U-M EEO/AA Statement
   
   The University of Michigan is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.
   
   U-M COVID-19 Vaccination Policy
   
   COVID-19 vaccinations, including one booster when eligible

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are a few common ways to find dietetic assistants for your business:

   • Promoting internally or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to meet candidates with the right educational background.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to recruit passive job-seekers.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your dietetic assistant job on Zippia to find and recruit dietetic assistant candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites such as healthcarejobsite, health jobs nationwide, hospitalcareers, medreps.com.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   During your first interview to recruit dietetic assistants, engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. During the following interview, you'll be able to go into more detail about the company, the position, and the responsibilities.

   Remember to include a few questions that allow candidates to expand on their strengths in their own words. Asking about their unique skills might reveal things you'd miss otherwise. At this point, good candidates can move on to the technical interview.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new dietetic assistant

   Once you have selected a candidate for the dietetic assistant position, it is time to create an offer letter. In addition to salary, the offer letter should include details about benefits and perks that are available to the employee. Ensuring your offer is competitive is vital, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and it is important to be open to discussion and reach a mutually beneficial agreement. After the offer has been accepted, it is a good idea to formalize the agreement with a contract.

   It's also good etiquette to follow up with applicants who don't get the job by sending them an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

   Once that's done, you can draft an onboarding schedule for the new dietetic assistant. Human Resources should complete Employee Action Forms and ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc. They should also ensure that new employee files are created for internal recordkeeping.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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