Work for dietitian/nutritionist

[jackrabbitslims]

I am a registered dietitian in the UK and am considering a move to the Midi Pyrenees  (around Foix) and wondered if there was any requirement for a dietitian/nutritionist, initially within the expat community owing to my limited french.  What is the situation re my qualifications (BSC hons Human Nutrition, RD(SRD). Would these qualifications be recognised in France. Ideally I would like to work privately       (self-employed). Any thoughts or experiences from other health professionals  would be much appreciated.

Thanks in advance

[samdebretagne]

I'm sorry, but I have bad news.  I have just paid over 300€ to have all of my paperwork and every single class I've ever taken translated into French, only to find out that France does not recognize dietetics degrees from any other country because it falls under the "paramédicale" category.  This is the same reason a whole bunch of foreign doctors are on strike now - despite having advanced degrees from their home country, they are not allowed to fully work as doctors here (they always need someone to sign off on their work).

I had been hoping to receive the equivalent of the French dietetics degree (BTS diététique) but was told this wasn't possible because of the above reasons, and that if I ever wanted to work here, I'd have to take the French exam. 

You might be able to open a cabinet as a nutritioniste though, but you won't be able to advertise yourself as a dietitan.

And do you really think there is a big enough expat community in the Midi Pyrenees for you to make a living off of? 

[jackrabbitslims]

Thanks for your reply Sam, though not the best news. Your probably right about the numbers of expats. Need to brush up on my French if I am to get anywhere, or move to plan B, busking in Foix town centre!