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Dietetic Internship

Mission

The Dietetic Internship (DI) provides an accessible, community-based education and training program that has been accredited by the American Dietetic Association (ADA). The internship prepares graduates for practice as entry-level dietitians in a variety of settings, through supervised practice consistent with the Standards of Education of the Commission on Accreditation for Dietetics Education of the American Dietetic Association.

Goals

To best assist DHEC (the Department of Health and Environmental Control) in recruiting, developing and retaining qualified public health professionals, the following program goals have been established:

1. Develop entry-level dietitians who will excel as leaders in a diverse environment and changing world.
2. Provide new technology and standards in modeling professional practice.
3. Develop self-assessment skills and individualized, self-development plans to support life-long learning.
4. Provide collaborative and multi-disciplinary experiences in a variety of settings.
5. Demonstrate a commitment to program improvement through on-going communication and evaluation involving graduates, educators, preceptors and employees.
6. Provide DHEC employees an accessible internship program to improve their opportunities for career advancement.
7. Increase the number of registered dietitians in the state.

The program is committed to providing experience that will enable interns to develop the following skills:

1. Utilize current technology in the practice of dietetics.
2. Adhere to the Code of Ethics for the profession by confronting and resolving ethical issues related to the profession of dietetics.
3. Apply scientific knowledge and research to address nutritional needs of individuals and populations across the continuum of care.
4. Demonstrate the ability to collect measurable data and document outcomes within the practice setting.
5. Collaborate with other professionals to help clients identify available resources and services.
6. Demonstrate a knowledge of appropriate use of resources in delivery of services.

Program Of Study - General Emphasis

This Dietetic Internship is unique in that two time-frames are available to participants: a part-time internship that is 47 weeks in length from June through May (with a minimum of 20 hours per week required), or a full time internship that is 24 weeks in length from June to December (with a minimum of 40 hours per week required). The part-time internship provides many benefits, such as allowance for employment outside of the internship (see the employment opportunities section of the page). The scope of work and areas of study encompass:

Clinical Nutrition, Community Nutrition, Food Service Systems and several projects in the areas of culinary techniques, marketing, research, professional development and the media.

ROTATIONS: (supervised practice hours)

NUTRITION SERVICES: Community Nutrition                           200
NUTRITION SERVICES: Clinical Dietetics                                  400
FOOD SERVICE SYSTEMS                                                            200
PROJECTS (Culinary, Media, Marketing, Research,
                        Professional Development)                                   140

TOTAL SUPERVISED PRACTICE HOURS                                 940

 

DIDACTIC LEARNING EXPERIENCE:

ORIENTATION                                                                                  20
NUTRITION SERVICES: Community Nutrition                          100
NUTRITION SERVICES: Clinical Dietetics                                 105
FOOD SERVICE SYSTEMS                                                            95
PROJECTS (Culinary, Media, Marketing, Research,
                        Professional Development)                                   96

TOTAL DIDACTIC HOURS                                                             416

There are five full-time appointments available for interested applicants from June-December(24 weeks minimum of 40 hours per week)

Admission Requirements

1. A complete ADA supervised application and official transcripts (no photocopies accepted) from every university or college attended.
2. Three letters of reference from at least two professors in major field of study and one from a direct supervisor from a work experience.
3. Minimum of Baccalaureate degree from an accredited university with a minimum GPA of 3.0 in courses completed as part of Didactic Program in Dietetics requirements (DPD).
4. A letter describing your interest in the internship.
5. Evidence of good health (after acceptance).
6. Proof of malpractice and health insurance (after acceptance).
7. A Declaration of Intent form or Verification Statement from the Didactic Program Director.
8. Access to an automobile, valid driver's license, and current automobile insurance (after acceptance).
9. Sufficient financial resources to cover required educational resources, travel, and other incidental costs associated with the practice experiences.
10. If the date on the DPD verification statement is more than five years prior to the starting year of the internship, the applicant must have taken six credits within the last five years. At least three credits must be in clinical nutrition at a university with an approved DPD program.
11. GRE Scores recommended, but not required.

Additional requirements for DHEC employees:

1. At least one year of employment with DHEC at the time of application and willingness to make a two year employment commitment to DHEC after completing the internship.
2. A letter from the Health Director supporting the applicant's participation in the program.
3. One of the three letters of recommendation must be from the Regional Nutrition Director and one must come from your immediate supervisor.

Come See Me

• Anytime with appointment

To schedule a visit call 803-898-0803

Application Process

Submit a complete application package and a non-refundable $50.00 application fee by February 17, 2009 to the Internship Director. (DHEC employees must submit their applications by January 20th of each year). The deadline for computer matching is February 17, 2009.

Applications are available on disk through the American Dietetic Association or download the Application here as a Word document.

For additional information contact the internship director:

Sandra Spann, MS, RD, Director
Dietetic Internship Program
S.C. DHEC, Office Of Public Health Nutrition
Box 101106
Columbia, SC 29211

E-mail: spannsh@dhec.sc.gov
Phone: 803-898-0819

Accreditation Status

The South Carolina Dietetic Internship is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Dietetics Education, American Dietetic Association, 120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2000, Chicago, Ill 60606-6995 312/899-0040 ext.5400.

Computer Matching

1. This internship participates in computer matching for ten of fifteen appointments. Five appointments are pre-selected for DHEC employees. If the pre-selected slots are not filled they will become part of the computer match process. DHEC employees are notified of acceptance by February 1. If they are not chosen, they may then apply to other programs. If five employees are not chosen, the slots are available for computer matching.
2. Applicants must participate in computer matching to be eligible for the program. Deadline for computer matching is February 17, 2009. Applicants should request this material from any ADA approved Didactic Program in Dietetics or from D&D Digital Systems. It is the applicant’s responsibility to provide all material by the February 17 postmark deadline. There is no fee for this material. However, there is a $50.00 fee for computer matching that is due with the applicant's prioritized ranking.
3. Applicants are interviewed by a selection committee.
4. Applicant will be provided their personal matching results from D& D Digital Systems via the internet site on April 20, 2009 www.dnddigital.com.
5. Appointment day is on April 21, 2009. Matched applicants must fax a confirmation letter of acceptance or rejection to the progrm director at (803) 898-0445 by 5:00pm EST April 21, 2009.

Address for Computer Matching:
D&D Digital Systems
304 Main Street Suite 301
Ames, IA 50074
(515) 292-0490

Estimated Expenses

Program expenses include application fee, background check, tuition, transportation, overnight lodging, liability and health insurance, health physical, professional attire, books, materials, and other expenses outlined in the Dietetic Internship orientation manual. Estimated program expenses are approximately $575 plus tuition.

TUITION
Out-of-State                 $7,200
In State                         $5,100
DHEC Employess     $3,000

Employment Opportunities

We have several positions in the regions for nutritionists that are not Registered Dietitians, so there is possibility of working part-time while completing the internship, or finding part-time employment elsewhere. These positions are not guaranteed to be available in all health regions. To inquire about DHEC vacancy positions, please see the DHEC JOBS PAGE.

This internship is very flexible with employment outside of the internship and understands that although the internship is the interns' number one priority, earning money to help fund living and internship expenses is important as well.

Other Important Considerations

HOUSING:

Arrangements are the responsibility of the intern. Due to the structuring of this internship with all the interns placed in different geographical locations according to health region, it may not be possible to live with a fellow intern. The internship director is the best initial link to general geographical information, or the intern can check out housing information via the Internet.

TRANSPORTATION:

It is absolutely mandatory that interns have access to a car with a valid driver's license and proof of motor vehicle insurance. There are many seminars, conferences and meetings that are required during the course of the year and will be in areas other than where the intern is placed where a car will be necessary.

COMPUTER:

Many projects and papers required for the graduation of the internship will include research on the Internet. It is very beneficial to become comfortable and moderately knowledgeable on the Internet and the World Wide Web prior to beginning the internship, therefore, a computer with a modem is extremely useful for the intern's benefit, however, it is not a requirement.

WORK SCHEDULE:

Due to the internship requiring a commitment of 20 hours per week, the intern will be able to take an active role in planning his/her work weeks with the direct preceptor to organize work schedules to their benefit, considering outside employment, career goals and other commitments. Interns are typically only scheduled to work during weekdays, however, may be required to work some weekends depending on the facility. This internship honors all major holidays and South Carolina state holidays.

Pre-Dietetic Internship Assignments

Prior to entering this internship program, interns are expected to review medical terminology, medical abbreviations and laboratory values. They will also be expected to review DPD subject matter. This review will benefit the intern immensely and will be tested during the orientation week.

Multi-Disciplinary Skills For Dietetic Interns

The SCDHEC Internship received one of the first grants from the ADA for Innovative Dietetics Education.

Interns will participate in a program to develop multi-disciplinary skills in the areas of :

• Lactation Consulting
• Measuring Vital Signs
• Glucose Pattern Management
• Osteoporosis and Bone Scanning Equipment
• Tube Feeding Placement and Management

Interns will be given the opportunity to demonstrate skills in the clinical setting during the internship.

Guardian Angel Program

The Guardian Angel Program was established to help in-coming interns. After new interns accept their appointments, the Internship Director will send them the name and address of the current intern living in the area where they will be assigned. The new intern's "angel" will answer questions about the area in which they will be living and assist them with finding housing, etc.

What Are We Looking For?

• We are looking for someone who is excited about learning!
• We are looking for someone who is self-directed and self motivated.
• We are looking for interns who are confident in themselves and work well in team situations as well as on their own.
• We are looking for somebody who is skillful and has general knowledge about computers and the Internet.
  ...and...
• We are looking for people who demonstrate creativity in their thinking and balance in their life!

Helpful Links

Visit the American Dietetic Association's Internship site.

For students interested in graduate studies in Public Health please visit the the web-site of the Arnold J. Norman School of Public Health, University of South Carolina located in Columbia South Carolina at www.sph.sc.edu.