Nutrition Professional in Private Practice

Private Practice Reasons for the growing trend Loss of jobs Desire for autonomy Set work schedules (work-life balance) Greater interest from general public in nutrition DC has consulting dietitians network and private practice manual

Private Practice Which skill areas will help someone in private practice to gain the “competitive edge”? Marketing! Marketing strategy or business plan needed How to sell service – create image

Private Practice What qualities needed for future private practitioners? Entrepreneurial approach Determination, perseverance, and initiative Self confidence and speed in decision making helps manage Self-directed, action-oriented, energetic, tolerant of uncertainty

Private Practice Possible work settings? Everywhere! Private office, medical centre, nursing homes, schools, private home, etc. etc. Possible practice roles? All! Group education, research, evaluation, program design, individual counseling...

Starting a Private Practice Know potential location Willing to pay for service? Acquire marketing skills Ensure sufficient funds Up to 3 years to establish practice

Starting a Private Practice Know how to create contracts lawyer needed? Set fees and hours of work Network! Don’t limit practice to one nutrition area

Setting Fees 3 categories of business costs Salary Benefits Business and office expenses Competition charges?? Use fee schedule as guide Charge fair & competitive fee

Required Readings Hasler, Brown, & Burns. (2009). ADA Position paper. Functional Foods. Ryan-Harshman, & Vogel. (2009). Nutritional genomics: A new frontier. Morin, & Castle. (2009, April). Nutritional genomics: Are Canadian consumers interested? Morin, & Castle. (2009, June). Knowledge and perceptions of nutritional genomics among Canadian healthcare professionals.