Human Nutrition is a branch of nutrition science that deals with the various interactions between humans, their health and food. It involves the biological processes that take place when we consume food and use the nutrients it contains, as well as the physiological, social, economic, cultural and technological factors that influence peoples’ food choices. Dietetics (Clinical nutrition) is a branch of human nutrition that involves applying nutrition knowledge and related skills in the nutritional care and or prevention of human disease states.

Professionals in the field:

Dietitians are integral members of the medical team with responsibility for the nutritional care of individuals in collaboration with physicians and other health care professionals in institutions and/or the community. (Adapted from PAHO/CFNI Nutrition and Dietetics brochure)

They have a minimum training of a Bachelor of Science degree specializing in Dietetics/Nutrition and an internship. This equips them to provide services required for the treatment and prevention of diseases. These services include conducting nutrition assessments, determining nutrition diagnosis, prescribing appropriate diets, nutrition education and/or counseling and food service systems management.

Nutritionists are integral members of multispectral teams involved in targeted group or population based programmes aimed at promotion of health and the primary prevention of diet-related illnesses.. (Adapted from PAHO/CFNI Nutrition and Dietetics brochure)

They have a minimum training of a Bachelor of Science degree specializing in Dietetics/Nutrition and an approved internship or a Master of Science degree in Nutrition. This equips them to contribute to policy development, programme planning, implementation and evaluation, nutrition education for prevention and management of nutrition-related problems and research.

Nutrition Assistants and Dietetic Assistants/Dietetic technicians function under the supervision of a qualified dietitian or nutritionist contributing to the implementation of population and/or targeted group nutrition programmes or the achievement of individualized nutrition care plans. (Adapted from PAHO/CFNI Nutrition and Dietetics brochure)

They have a minimum training of a Diploma or an Associate of Science degree in Dietetics.

Career Options

Dietitians, Nutritionists, Nutrition assistants, dietetics assistants and dietetic technicians may be employed in the Health Sector, Food Service Management, Agricultural Sector, Private Consultancy, Food Industry, Education, Pharmaceutical Industry, Research, Food and Nutrition related Technical agencies and Development Programmes or Private Consultancy.

Medical Diagnostic Radiography involves the use of ionizing or non-ionizing radiation of one or more imaging modalities to endorse a diagnosis made by a doctor. These imaging modalities include conventional x-ray imaging, computerized tomography (CT), fluoroscopy, mammography, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), ultrasonography, positron emission tomography (PET) and radionuclide imaging. On occasion, two of the modalities may be used combined to obtain a more positive diagnosis.

Diagnostic radiographers are trained in universities worldwide, including the University of the West Indies (UWI) which issues a Bachelor of Science in Diagnostic Imaging. Radiography training at UWI includes lecture times interspersed with clinic hours in excess of 7,000 done in a hospital type setting. After graduation, diagnostic radiographers may seek employment in hospitals, health clinics, or independent radiology facilities where imaging is conducted in an environment which is approved for medical imaging.

To be updated

The practice of Environmental Health is comprised of evaluating, correcting, controlling and preventing factors in the environment that can affect the health of present and future generations. Approximately 300 officers carry out this job on behalf of the Ministry of Health in Jamaica. Thirty seven percent (37%) of who have a first degree and 27% is qualified to the second-degree level. Two officers have been certified at the PhD level and two PhD are pending.