Introduction

A career as a nutritionist-dietitian (ND) in the Philippines presents a unique opportunity to significantly influence people's health and well-being. The need for qualified experts in this field has never been greater due to a growing emphasis on the role that nutrition plays in preventing chronic diseases and promoting general wellness. As an ND, you will have the opportunity to inform people and communities, create individualized dietary plans, and help with the creation and implementation of nutrition programs. A career as a nutritionist-dietitian in the Philippines enables you to significantly improve the health and quality of life of others while also enjoying a rewarding and fulfilling professional journey. You can work in hospitals, clinics, research facilities, or community settings.

A career as an ND also provides access to a wide range of rewarding opportunities for professional advancement. The diverse and ever-expanding career landscape ensures that nutritionist-dietitians in the Philippines have ample opportunities to grow, thrive, and leave a lasting impact in the dynamic world of nutrition. To help you succeed in the dynamic field of nutrition across the nation, we offer insights into the professional growth opportunities for NDs here. We also discuss necessary skills and potential career trajectories.
 

Scope of Practice Under the Nutrition and Dietetics Law (R.A.10862)

In the Philippines, various professions are subject to regulation and oversight by the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC). Nutrition and dietetics is a regulated profession under the PRC, with RA 10862, also known as the Nutrition and Dietetics (ND) Law of 2016, protecting our profession.1

Based on the ND Law of 2016, the scope of practice of the ND profession includes the following: 

  1. Providing medical nutrition therapy through the application of the Nutrition Care Process (NCP) for purposes of disease prevention, treatment, and management;
  2. Optimizing the health and well-being of patients/clients through the delivery of quality products, programs, and services; 
  3. Promoting nutritional health and well-being of individuals, groups, communities, and populations; 
  4. Setting standards, guidelines, and policies that create and encourage an environment that supports nutritional health; 
  5. Managing food and nutrition systems, including programs, projects, and services; 
  6. Facilitating and conducting food, nutrition, and related research; and,
  7. Educating and training others about food and nutrition in a variety of practice settings.

 

Career Opportunities for NDs

With a broad scope of practice, NDs have a diverse range of job opportunities. The following are some of the fields in which NDs may work in:

  1. Clinical and hospitals. An ND is an important part of a patient's recovery process. They are in charge of providing medical nutrition therapy, nutrition care, nutrition counseling, and individualized meal plans for patients. Patients can benefit greatly from nourishing meals that are tailored to their specific needs. 
  2. Public health. By implementing initiatives that address nutritional issues, such as the eradication or reduction of hunger and malnutrition, NDs play important roles in their communities. NDs are also needed in conducting nutrition education that would help enhance nutrition awareness of parents that would be beneficial in establishing healthy diets within the families.
  3. Foodservice industry. There are numerous food service industries in which NDs can work such as cafeterias, restaurants, hotels, and catering businesses. NDs can also serve as menu planners, food service managers, or nutrition consultants, ensuring that meals follow nutritional guidelines, developing special menus for those with dietary restrictions, and providing advice on food preparation methods. 
  4. Food Companies. Employing NDs helps food companies ensure the quality of the nutrition in their products and create better products by adhering to the required nutritional standards.  NDs can also make sure that the nutrition and health claims made about products are true as well as developing relevant nutrition programs. Companies who hire NDs are indeed responsible as they ensure nutrition and health of the population.
  5. Sports and Wellness Centers. Athletes and trainers collaborate with NDs to improve their performance through diet. A knowledgeable ND can design a nutritional program to supplement an athletes' physical training regimen.
  6. Academia and Research. NDs also work in academia and research. They provide guidance to aspiring NDs as they impart their nutrition expertise to the students. Scientific studies can also be carried out both by professors and researchers. 

Business. Customers will have access to healthier options if a large variety of healthy items and services would be made available by NDs.

 

Continuous Learning and Development: Keys to Career Growth

There are three main practice areas where NDs are expected to advance and specialize: clinical nutrition, foodservice nutrition, and public health nutrition. Under each of the three main fields of specializations, there are other sub-specializations. For example, in the field of clinical nutrition, other areas of specialization include renal nutrition, diabetes management, functional nutrition and others. Eventually, the ND profession will also have specialty and subspecialty organizations just like the medicine profession.

Similar to other professional fields, NDs are covered by R.A. No. 10912 or the Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Act of 2016. This mandates the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) and the Professional Regulatory Boards (PRBs) to formulate and implement a Career Progression and Specialization Program (CPSP) for every profession. It also defines career progression as “the process of developing or moving towards a more advanced state in a person’s qualifications, job, title, position, or profession; it outlines the route that one may follow in order to reach the identified career development goals”.2

For NDs, the CPD Act means that they are required to participate in continuing professional development activities to maintain and renew their professional licenses. These activities may include attending seminars, workshops, conferences, and training programs relevant to their field. They may also earn CPD credits by conducting research, publishing articles, and participating in professional organizations or committees.

The law sets the minimum number of CPD units that nutritionist-dietitians need to accumulate within a specified period to be eligible for license renewal. These CPD units are earned through the completion of approved CPD activities, and the specific requirements may vary depending on the professional regulatory board.

The CPD Act aims to ensure that nutritionist-dietitians stay updated with the latest knowledge, techniques, and trends in their field. By continuously expanding their knowledge and skills, nutritionist-dietitians can provide better services and care to their clients, ensuring their safety and well-being.

PRC supports the continued professional development and helps to maintain high standards of practice by mandating the professionals to participate in continuing education and training. NDs can advance in their career through CPSP which may lead to more job opportunities, work promotion and greater remuneration.

Apart from the CPD program, the PRC may also collaborate with professional organizations and institutions to offer specialized training, workshops, and seminars that cater to the specific needs and interests of professionals. These programs can help professionals deepen their knowledge, acquire new skills, and explore specialized areas within their profession.

 

Enhancing Professional Mobility and Recognition for NDs

The ASEAN Qualifications Framework (AQF) is a regional framework established by the member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).3,4 It serves as a common reference framework for comparing and aligning the qualifications systems across ASEAN member countries.

The AQF aims to promote greater mobility and recognition of qualifications within the ASEAN region. It provides a shared understanding of qualification levels and facilitates the comparison of qualifications between different countries. This framework helps individuals, employers, and educational institutions assess and recognize qualifications obtained from different ASEAN countries. The Philippine government has taken the necessary actions to comply with the AQF through the Philippine Qualifications Framework (PQF).

Key features of the AQF include the following:

  1. Qualification Levels: Based on learning goals, competencies, and the complexity of knowledge and skills needed, the AQF establishes qualification levels. These levels offer a standard point of comparison for evaluating credentials among ASEAN nations. 
  2. Credit Accumulation and Transfer: The AQF advocates the acceptance of credits that have been earned by people in one institution or country to be transferred to and accumulated in another. 
  3. Quality Assurance: The AQF encourages member countries to create and put into place quality assurance measures to guarantee the reliability and integrity of credentials. 
  4. Mutual Recognition: Through the AQF, ASEAN countries recognize qualifications of each country. 

For NDs, the AQF is relevant in several ways:

  1. Qualification Recognition: The AQF facilitates the recognition and comparability of nutrition-related qualifications obtained in various ASEAN countries. It enables NDs' qualifications to be recognized and understood across the region, facilitating professional mobility and employment opportunities in other ASEAN countries.
  2. Harmonization of Standards: The AQF promotes the alignment of nutritional education and training standards. As a result of this harmonization, programs for nutrition education and training in the ASEAN region are guaranteed to meet common standards of quality. It promotes cooperation between educational institutions and the sharing of top strategies for educating people about nutrition.
  3. Professional Development and Lifelong Learning: The AQF places a strong emphasis on the value of ongoing professional development and lifelong learning. It encourages NDs to take part in ongoing learning activities to advance their expertise. By doing so, they can advance their careers and guarantee the provision of high-quality nutrition services throughout the ASEAN region.
  4. Career Progression and Mobility: The AQF offers nutritionists a framework for career development and professional mobility. It facilitates the recognition of credentials and experiences acquired in various ASEAN nations and establishes clear pathways for advancement within the profession. This can help NDs who are looking for employment opportunities in other ASEAN member states.

 

Career Progression and Specialization Program for NDs

The PRC Board of Nutrition and Dietetics and members of the Career Progression and Specialization Program (CPSP) Committee are currently working to create a career progression framework for the ND profession that is in line with both the PQF and AQF. Filipino NDs may now work in the US if they meet the requirements, such as passing the online US Licensure exam for Dietetics, thanks to the reciprocal agreement. 

As illustrated in the chart below, NDs can be categorized as levels 6, 7, or 8 according to their educational background, professional experience, and skill set. New graduates and ND board pass candidates without experience can be considered to be in level 6. Depending on their education, experience, and skills, NDs can advance to levels 7 and 8. Expert NDs are those who reach Level 8.

These levels would be helpful, especially for government organizations, as a basis for promotions. This levelling might also be used by private businesses as a reference for hiring and promoting employees.

 

Figure 1. Philippine Qualification Framework (as per PQF-NCC Resolution No. 2014-03 adopted on December 11, 2014)5

 

Tips in Driving ND Career Growth

Although there are many opportunities for professional development in the ND field, it is up to each ND to decide whether to develop their chosen area of expertise. A number of factors can have an impact on career advancement. There are other essential elements, in addition to education and years of experience, that can help NDs build successful careers.

  1. Knowing your "why" is important. Your "why" is what will motivate you to continue. Even though you can occasionally feel worn out, your purpose will keep you moving forward. 
  2. Observe ethical business principles. The NDs Code of Ethics and Company's Code of Business Principles must both be followed by NDs. Integrity and the upholding of moral standards are other aspects of ethics.
  3. Develop positive working relationships with your coworkers. Although one may be capable of completing duties, working as a team is crucial to attaining the overall objectives of the organization. In addition, everyone benefits from having buddies at work.
  4. Establish networks. In addition to establishing relationships at work, expanding one's network is advantageous. There are several ways to accomplish this, including attending conferences and other events. 
  5. Enhance your knowledge and skills. Advancement in a career requires both hard and soft skills. It is expected of NDs to possess strong technical skills. One must stay current with emerging trends and science. Soft skills, such as management, leadership, and communication prowess, are equally crucial for professional excellence.
  6. Choose a mentor. It helps that someone with expertise assists younger people in making career decisions.   
  7. Find or create opportunities. There might be times when there are no open positions or when the position you want is already filled. You can also open up opportunities by marketing your own goods and services. You can always find investors who can fund your ideas, regardless of how tight your current financial situation is.

 

Conclusion

NDs play a significant role in ensuring the health and nutrition of individuals and communities. NDs have spent years learning the dietetic and nutrition sciences, which are crucial for giving patients and communities the right advice and guidance.

As we are responsible for our own career growth, it is essential that we continue in enhancing our skills, expanding networks, and unlocking opportunities. By understanding our options and strategically planning our growth, we are empowered to create a future that is consistent with our aspirations, values, and goals. Through the journey towards career progression, NDs would be able to deliver better services to clients, creating a positive impact on their health and well-being. NDs who take charge of their professional development realize their full potential and leave a lasting impact on individuals, communities, and the field of nutrition as a whole.

 

Message to Nutritionist-Dietitians

"Go, Grow, and Glow" is a catchphrase that has evolved into a rallying cry for NDs in the Philippines. As NDs, we must live the "go, grow, and glow" credo through the following:

  1. GO – We must "go" and carry out our mission as NDs in solving the numerous nutrition-related issues in our country.
  2. GROW – We must "grow" in our careers. In order to provide our clients with better services, we must keep developing our skills. We are accountable for advancing in our careers as well.
  3. GLOW – As NDs, we can “glow” as we continue in providing the necessary service to the public. And through our journey towards career progression, we can continue to shine.

 

One-line Pro-tip for NDs

Filipino NDs, let’s GO, GROW AND GLOW!