The INDI membership continues to grow and currently has almost 800 members. Members of the INDI work in a wide variety of areas. These include:
- Clinical Nutrition - Community Nutrition - Business & Industry - Research - Education - Self Employed Dietitians
Clinical Nutrition Clinical dietitians are responsible for the nutritional care of patients in the hospital setting. All the large hospitals in Ireland, and the majority of smaller hospitals employ clinical dietitians. In order to be employed as a dietitian in a hospital in Ireland, a BSc in Human Nutrition and Dietetics, or a Post Graduate Diploma in Nutrition and Dietetics or Dietetics, or a recognised qualification prior to 1987 is required. The clinical dietitian is involved in the management of patients who require either nutritional support, via the oral, enteral or parenteral route. They also provide patients with therapeutic diets, which are used to optimise the well being of patients with specific medical conditions.
Community Nutrition Community Dietitians play a major role in community nutrition, health promotion and public health in Ireland. Community Dietitians work in the Primary Care setting with Primary Care Teams and deliver nutrition training for health care profesionals as well as providing individual patients with therapeutic dietary advice. Many Community Dietitians are involved in the delivery of Structured Patients Education for people with Type 2 Diabetes in the community. Community Dietitians also work closely with health promotion services around the country, working alongside health promotion colleagues a range of settings, such as schools, preschools, and local communities.
Business & Industry Members working in this area work predominately in food and nutrition related industry, in the areas of product development, marketing, sales and PR which facilitates companies in satisfying consumers growing interest in nutrition.
Research Many INDI members are involved in research, in either a full time capacity or as part of their day to day work. A significant number of members have either Masters Degrees or PhDs. Members are involved in a variety of research areas, from infants to elderly nutrition, public health and therapeutic nutrition, methodology, marketing and much more. See research by our Dietitians.
Education Some members of the INDI are employed in full-time education, others work part-time teaching in courses with nutrition content. Most dietitians working in hospitals or in the community are involved in the training of Nutrition & Dietetic students from Dublin Institute of Technology.
Self Employed Dietitians Self employed dietitians work in all areas of professional practice including clinical private practice (adult & paediatric services), freelance consultancy, lecturing, research, business, clinical consultancy for private hospitals & clinics, sports nutrition, food industry, food legislation, TV, radio & social media. A current list of full-time freelance dietitians can be viewed here.
