Dietetic Internship
We are pleased you are interested in our 45-week medical nutrition therapy (MNT) internship program. The program prepares graduates to become competent, entry level dietetic practitioners with an emphasis on clinical practitioner skills. We participate in the fall match and our program starts in January.
During the program, dietetic interns receive broad experience at seven major teaching hospitals at the Detroit Medical Center. Working closely with experienced preceptors, they prepare to join the many other successful graduates who have completed the Harper Hospital Dietetic Internship program and are then eligible to take the credentialing exam.
Effective January 1, 2024, the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) will require a minimum of a master’s degree to be eligible to take the credentialing exam to become a registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN). In order to be approved for registration examination eligibility with a bachelor’s degree, an individual must meet all eligibility requirements and be submitted into CDR's Registration Eligibility Processing System (REPS) before 12:00 midnight Central Time, December 31, 2023. For more information about this requirement visit CDR's website. In addition, CDR requires that individuals complete coursework and supervised practice in program(s) accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND). Graduates who successfully complete the ACEND-accredited dietetic internship program at Harper University Hospital are eligible to apply to take the CDR credentialing exam to become an RDN.
In most states, graduates also must obtain licensure or certification to practice. For more information about state licensure requirements click here.
For more information about educational pathways to become a RDN click here.
Dietetic Internship Information
The DMC Harper University Hospital Dietetic Internship will provide education and training to develop well rounded entry-level dietitians in a positive environment, which promotes health, nutrition, customer service, community awareness and continuous improvement.
The DMC Harper University Hospital Dietetic Internship is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND).
ACEND Strategic Goals:
To achieve its mission and vision, the ACEND board has established strategic goals.
- ACEND assures the quality of dietetics education through a peer review process.
- ACEND effectively communicates the accreditation process and expectations.
- ACEND fosters innovation in dietetic education.
- ACEND has chosen to be recognized as an accrediting body by the federal government, through the United States Department of Education (USDE), which recognizes the quality and effectiveness of
- ACEND as the accrediting body for dietetics education programs.
The address and phone/FAX number of ACEND [email protected] are:
120 South Riverside
Plaza Suite 2000
Chicago, IL 60606-6995
FAX: (312) 899-4817
PHONE: 800/877-1600 X 5400
Goal #1
Graduates will complete all the core competencies required by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and meet expectations or above in performance of these competencies.
Objective 1: Interns will graduate the internship with an 80% or greater overall score on their mid and final evaluations. Complete a 45-week internship program.
Objective 2: 100% of the interns will complete the dietetic internship. Successfully pass the exam for registration status.
Objective 3: Over a five-year period 80% of the graduates will pass the exam on their first attempt. Work in the field of dietetics or a related field.
Objective 4: Upon graduation 80% or more of the graduates will find employment in a dietetics related field within 1 year. Feel that they have been trained effectively and are able to provide quality nutritional care and/or services in a working environment.
Objective 5: One year after graduation graduates will rate their entry level skills as “meet expectations” or above in 80% of the competencies.
Objective 6: One year after graduation, the employers will rate 90% of the graduates as “meets expectations” or above in competencies.
Goal #2
To provide service to the community and profession by:
- Objective 1: Preceptors will provide specialty clinical rotation experience to a minimum of two interns from other dietetic education programs each year. Students that are interested in Dietetic Programs are provided opportunities to volunteer/shadow with RDNs in the DMC.
- Objective 2: Preceptors will provide nutrition related presentations to toher disciplines throughout the Detroit Medical Center, other dietetic Internship programs and the community.
- Objective 3: Providing health and wellness to the community. The interns will participate in at least three health and wellness events during their internship year.
Outcome data for objectives available to the public upon request.
Program Completion
The intern will:
- Successfully complete all rotation objectives.
- Complete all assignments timely and accurately within the rotations.
- Complete staffing requirements as defined in the rotation competencies in clinical and management areas.
- Complete 100 percent of the competencies as delineated in the ACEND Competency Statements for Dietitians. Interns must show proficiency in all competencies by scoring 80% or above.
- The intern will conduct her/himself in a professional manner as judged by the professional staff of the Nutrition and Food Service Department utilizing the Code of Ethics and Conduct developed by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietitics as the criteria
The program is a 45 week experience with rotations at various sites providing experiential learning to meet the ACEND competencies for Dietetic Internships. Rotations are usually 2-3 weeks in duration with a didactic class meeting 4-8 hours per week. This requires quick adaptation to each experience and provides many hours in clinical practice in addition to recommended experiences in public heath and food service. During the last few weeks of the internship there is a 4 week clinical staffing rotation where the intern will function as the clinical dietitian for a preselected hospital inpatient unit. A portfolio of mini-case studies (seven) will be developed by the intern to demonstrate proficiency in MNT. The following table lists the types of rotations and learning experiences provided by the program.
Dietetic Interns are scheduled for 40- to 50-hour work weeks, which include 4-8 hours of class. Interns work some holidays and weekends. Interns receive eight hours off for holidays. The vacation week is preplanned for June or July, in the yearly rotation.
| Areas of Experience | Highlights of Experiences Provided |
|
Clinical: AIDS, Bariatrics, Bone Marrow Transplant, Burn, Cardiology, High Risk Pregnancy, Intensive Care, Internal Medicine, Neuroscience, Nephrology, Oncology, Pediatrics, Rehabilitation Medicine, Surgery, TPN Nutrition Support Team, Transplant |
Participation in multi-disciplinary rounds, charting, nutritional assessments, diet instructions. |
|
Management/Business: Manager's Week Nursing Home Patient/Retail Food Service School Food Service |
Menu planning, inventory, food purchasing, scheduling, employee supervision. Teaching in-service classes; conduct sanitation checks; utilization of a chilled food service system. Work with food company retail account. |
|
Community & Outpatient: Cooking Matters Outpatient Education Public Health |
Perform outpatient counseling and participate in diabetes outpatient programs, health fairs and community nutrition events. |
|
Other: Staff Responsibility in Clinical and Food Service |
Assume role of staff dietitian or manager in a specific area |
Below is an example of the 45 week rotation schedule. All interns will participate at each site, though the order of rotations may vary. Clinical rotations are arranged to provide progressively advanced experiences and are coordinated with didactic classes.
Clinical
| Basic Clinical – Cardiology, ICU, Infectious Disease, Med/Surg., Neurology, Oncology, Pulmonary | 9 Weeks |
| Pediatrics | 3 Weeks |
| Surgical Intensive Care | 2 Weeks |
| Burn / Trauma / Critical Care | 3 Weeks |
| Renal Inpatient | 2 Week |
| Rehabilitation Medicine | 2 Weeks |
| Inpatient Oncology | 2 Weeks |
| Staff Responsibility | 4 Weeks |
Management/Business
| Patient / Retail Food Service | 2 Weeks |
| School Food Service | 4 Weeks |
| Management Staffing | 2 Weeks |
| Nursing Home (Clinical and Management practice combined) | 2 Weeks |
Community
| Public Health / Community /Cooking Matters | 3 Weeks |
| Outpatient Education / DM / Bariatric Education / Diabetic Camp | 3 Week |
| Orientation | 1 Week |
| Vacation | 1 Week |
| Grand Total | 46 weeks |
The Application fee of $50.00 is non-refundable and should be sent to Jane Quick at the address below. Send money orders, drafts or cashier’s checks. Do not send cash or personal checks. PLEASE MAKE SURE THEY ARE SIGNED. MAKE CHECK PAYABLE TO: HARPER HOSPITAL NUTRITION AND FOOD SERVICE.
Tuition - $6,000 - Due the first week of orientation
- The intern will be responsible for providing their own housing. A list of the other interns will be provided to each of you if you would like to room together.
- A car is absolutely necessary to travel between practice sites.
- Interns supply all living expenses and supplies needed for the internship.
- Liability for travel and cost of travel to out-services, including meal costs are the responsibility of the intern.
- Interns are responsible for the cost of dental examinations, eye examinations and health care.
Harper University Hospital provides the dietetic intern:
- Parking will be available, but may be by shuttle.
- Interns are covered under the Hospital Liability Insurance for malpractice through Harper University Hospital.
- A standard physical exam when starting the program.
- Access to Employee Assistance Program.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the Program Director at (313) 745-5048 or [email protected].
Address:
Jane Quick RD, MSW
Director, Harper University Hospital Dietetic Internship
3990 John R. St., Box #71
Detroit, MI 48201
The Dietetic Internship Program at DMC Harper University Hospital begins in early January. Applications are due September 25th 2019 to DICAS with matching results available at www.dnddigital.com on November 3rd 2019.
Applicants must meet current Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics - Didactic Program in Nutrition and Dietetics requirements with a minimum overall G.P.A. of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. Grades in major subject areas (professional sciences), must be 3.0 or better on a 4.0 scale.
Applicants must:
Have a verification statement from an approved undergraduate dietetics program dated within five years of the year the program will begin. If the date on the verification statement is more than five years old, significant academic course work in the area of nutrition and dietetics must be demonstrated and evaluated by the selection committee.
Work or volunteer experience of some kind is necessary, preferably in hospital or food service settings. These factors, grades, references, letter of application, work experience and resume, are converted to numerical scores, which are used to determine the score and rank of applicants. The highest thirty scored applications are reviewed by the selection committee.
The selection committee reviews the entire application — including letter of application**, references, grades and work experience.
**The letter of application should clearly state why you want a dietetic internship at Harper Hospital, what your current and future goals are and why you think that you are suited to a career in dietetics. While you may highlight some of your experiences, this letter should not be an overview of your resume but rather a personal statement as to why you think you are a good match for the program and how it will complement your goals and interests.
- Harper University Hospital is participating in the on-line centralized internship application, DICAS. The deadline for the on line application as well as for the D&D digital match registration is September 25th, 2019 11:59 Central Time. All applicable fees should be submitted to both DICAS ([email protected]) and D&D digital (www.dnddigital.com). Please contact these sites for detailed information.
- In addition, an application fee of $50.00 should be sent to Jane Quick at the address below. Send money orders drafts or cashier’s checks. Do not send cash or personal checks. PLEASE MAKE SURE THEY ARE SIGNED. MAKE CHECK PAYABLE TO: HARPER HOSPITAL NUTRITION AND FOOD SERVICE .
Please Mail Application Fee To:
Jane Quick RD, MSW
Dietetic Internship Director
Harper University Hospital
3990 John R. St.
Box #71
Detroit, MI 48201