Dietetic Assistant

The Dietetic Assistant certificate programme at Public Nursing Training Colleges prepares students to support dietitians and nutritionists in hospitals, clinics, and community health settings. This programme is a practical entry point into the health and medical sciences field, focusing on therapeutic diets, patient nutrition, and food service management.

What dietetic assistants do

Programmes of this kind train you to work alongside registered dietitians and other healthcare professionals. Typical duties include assessing patients' nutritional needs under supervision, planning and preparing special diets, educating patients and families about healthy eating, and monitoring food quality in healthcare facilities. Most graduates work in hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, or public health programmes, where they help patients manage conditions like diabetes, hypertension, and malnutrition through proper nutrition.

How hard it is to get a place

Entry is less competitive than many other health programmes, which means a solid WASSCE performance is usually enough if you meet the published requirements. You need passes in three elective subjects with grades from A1 to E8. This does not include a specific aggregate, so you should check your own grades against the requirements and apply if you qualify.

Building a career in dietetics

Completing this certificate can lead directly to roles such as a dietetic assistant, nutrition assistant, or food service supervisor. It can also serve as a stepping stone for further study in nutrition, dietetics, or other health-related fields, opening up more advanced opportunities in clinical nutrition, public health, or food service management.