Certified Nutrition Therapist

Description of Education

The applicants who have successfully completed secondary education with a school-leaving examination (maturita), have met the conditions of the admission procedure and are medically fit can be admitted to education in the field.

Students of this field of study are educated in order to acquire professional competence according to Act No. 96/2004 Collection, The Act on Non-Medical Health Professions, and professional knowledge, skills and habits necessary for the exercise of the profession according to Decree No. 55/2011 of the Collection, on the activities of health professionals and other professionals.

The nutritionist provides specific nursing care of the nutritional needs of patients in the field of preventive and curative nutrition.

The teaching language is Czech.

Organisation of Education

The educational programme is a three-year full-time study, taking place at Merhautova School. The school year is divided into 2 terms - winter and summer, with an exam period at the end of each of them.

Theoretical preparation takes place in the school and includes teaching according to the curriculum, self-study and preparation for the examinations.

The education of nutritional therapists at our school is focused on the active work of students with current information and knowledge, their analysis, evaluation and creation of individual works and projects in the field of nutrition and especially medical nutrition.

A substantial part of practical training takes place in medical facilities with real patients and clients in hospitals and outpatient care.

Furthermore, also in social, spa and school facilities as a part of preventive and curative activities.

Vocational subjects are taught by practitioners and educators with many years of experience - doctors, nutrition therapists, food technologists and hygienic station staff, which allows students to follow the current trend in nutrition and medicine.

Graduate Profile

The nutritionist may draw up individual meal plans, including the calculation of the biological and energy value of diets, without professional supervision on the basis of the doctor's indication.

At the same time, without professional supervision and without indication in accordance with the diagnosis made by the doctor, the nutritionist may, in particular:

• process and evaluate the nutritional history, in patients in severe conditions, perform a balance of the diet taken orally, propose to the doctor or general nurse or midwife changes in the prescribed diet, method of food intake or supplementation with food supplements
• perform examinations necessary to determine the nutritional status of patients
• control, methodically lead and organise the preparation of food in accordance with the knowledge of healthy and medical nutrition, especially in the catering facilities of medical facilities ,and in the case of special diets, prepare food
• compile meal plans and prescription for individual diets and for the whole medical facility, including calculations of biological and energy value of diets
• provide counseling and education of individuals, families and groups in the field of healthy and therapeutic nutrition, including the recommendation of appropriate nutritional supplements