DIETETIC INTERNSHIP

ABOUT THE DIETETIC INTERNSHIP AT THE UNIVERSITY OF CONNECTICUT

The Dietetic Internship (DI) in the Department of Allied Health Sciences is a post-baccalaureate certificate program designed to meet the performance requirements of the American Dietetic Association (ADA). The program has a general emphasis that ensures Interns meet all the core competencies and provides learning experiences reflecting the breadth of dietetics practice. The core provides the broad base of diverse experiences necessary for future career mobility. A general emphasis includes competencies from each of the four defined emphasis areas: 1) Nutrition Therapy; 2) Community; 3) Food Service Systems Management; and 4) Research. Learning experiences for interns build on the didactic component of their undergraduate education.

The DI is granted accreditation by the American Dietetic Association’s Commission on Accreditation for Dietetics Education (CADE), 120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2000, Chicago, IL 60606-6695, (800) 877-1600. CADE is a specialized accrediting body recognized by the Council on Postsecondary Accreditation, the United States Department of Education and the New England Association of Schools and Colleges.

The DI offers a dynamic learning and professional environment for the preparation of qualified, competent dietetics professionals. Through collaboration with Hartford Hospital (www.harthosp.org), Interns are provided with the opportunities to successively achieve performance requirements as entry level dietitians.  Students who enter the DI have completed the didactic program in dietetic requirements (DPD) at an institution with an accredited undergraduate program and have at least a bachelor’s degree.  Graduates of the DI are eligible to sit for the national certifying Registration Examination of Dietitians. 
The Internship is designed so that students will progress from introductory to entry-level, with adequate time provided for supervised practice to ensure competency. Throughout the curriculum an emphasis is placed on self assessment and the need to be an active participant in setting and achieving one's professional goals.

SUPERVISED PRACTICE EXPERIENCES

The University of Connecticut Internship is a 9 month program which begins in mid-August.  The program provides the required hours of supervised practice at Hartford Hospital and its affiliates. Hartford Hospital, with a national reputation of excellence and innovation, is one of the largest and most sophisticated tertiary medical centers in the country. It is a nonprofit, private, 800-bed teaching hospital with a full spectrum health care system throughout the State of Connecticut.  The Joint Commission on Accreditation of Health Care Organizations (JCAHO) accredits the Hospital.

A wide variety of supervised practice experiences provide numerous opportunities for student to become competent dietetic practitioners.  Experienced, qualified practitioners serve as preceptors supervising and evaluating the interns.  Interns have rotations in: 
Ambulatory Care: 

• Dialysis
• Diabetes
• Oncology
• HIV/AIDS
• Eating Disorders
• Maternal & Infant Care
• Outpatient Counseling

Clinical Dietetics:

• Medicine
• Surgery
• Critical Care
• Endocrinology
• Nephrology
• Cardiology
• Neurology
• Pulmonary
• Trauma
• Geriatrics
• Orthopedics
• Oncology
• Organ Transplantation

Food Service and Management: 

• Food Production
• Patient Food Service
• Quality Assurance
• Inventory Control
• Catering and Contracts
• Safety

Rotations in Dietetics Research, Community Nutrition and Long-Term Care are provided in affiliated institutions and agencies.

Research:  Working with a University of Connecticut faculty member, Interns take part in an on-going research project

Community Nutrition:  Choices include, but are not limited to,  the Hartford School Nutrition Service, WIC Programs, Connecticut Department of Public Health, Head Start Programs, End Hunger CT!, and Food Share

• Long Term Care:  Medical Nutrition Therapy in long-term care and rehabilitation services at Jefferson House, Hebrew Home and Hospital, and Avery Heights

DIDACTIC CURRICULUM COMPONENT

To enhance the learning experience, students in the Dietetic Internship will be required to enroll in 6 graduate credits through the Center for Continuing Studies and will incur an expense of $495/credit.  These classes will be offered on the Storrs campus.