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Program Mission and Goals

The Dietetic Internship at Cedar Crest College, in accordance with the mission of the College, is dedicated to the education of the next generation of leaders. Cedar Crest College prepares students for life in a global community by educating the whole student. The Cedar Crest College Dietetic Internship supports the education, development, and preparation of entry-level registered dietitians through a dedicated and knowledgeable faculty and community preceptors working within program goals and outcomes.

Program Goals

  1. Graduates will be fully competent in foundational dietetics knowledge and skills upon program completion and be successfully employed as qualified entry-level dietitian-nutritionists.
  2. Graduates, instilled with a strong community spirit, will promote community involvement and leadership as personal and professional priorities.

Accreditation Status

The Cedar Crest College Dietetic Internship Program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.  ACEND is the specialized accrediting agency for education programs preparing students for careers as registered dietitian nutritionists.  ACEND protects students and the public by assuring the quality and continued improvement of dietetics programs as recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

The contact information for ACEND is:

Mail: 120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2190, Chicago, IL 60606-6995
Phone: 800/877-1600 ext.5400
Email:
Website: eatrightpro.org/ACEND

General Program Information

The Dietetic Internship is housed within the Department of Nutrition which is in the Miller Family Building. Interns within close proximity to the college will have access to various classrooms, computer labs, and the Allen Center for Nutrition Foods Laboratory, all located on the Cedar Crest College campus. All didactic coursework can be completed virtually, with the requirement of an internet connection speed that supports real-time online conferencing (students should not rely on a data account through a cellular service for internet access).

Intern Requirements for ACEND Core Knowledge and Competencies in the Dietetic Internship

Successful completion of the Cedar Crest College Dietetic Internship requires interns demonstrate the “breadth and depth of requisite skills needed for entry-level practice as a registered dietitian nutritionist” (ACEND Accreditation Standards for Nutrition and Dietetics Internship Programs (DI), 2022, Standard 3, pg. 9).   The ACEND Core Knowledge and Competencies in the program are defined in the following five Domains*:

Domain 1. Scientific and Evidence Base of Practice: Integration of scientific information and translation of research into practice.

Competencies

Upon completion of the program, graduates are able to:

CRDN 1.1 Select indicators of program quality and/or customer service and measure achievement of objectives.
CRDN 1.2 Evaluate research and apply evidence-based guidelines, systematic reviews and scientific literature in nutrition and dietetics practice.
CRDN 1.3 Justify programs, products, services and care using appropriate evidence or data.
CRDN 1.4 Conduct projects using appropriate research or quality improvement methods, ethical procedures and data analysis utilizing current and/or new technologies.
CRDN 1.5 Incorporate critical-thinking skills in overall practice.

Domain 2. Professional Practice Expectations: Beliefs, values, attitudes and behaviors for the nutrition and dietetics practitioner level of practice.

Competencies

Upon completion of the program, graduates are able to:

CRDN 2.1 Practice in compliance with current federal regulations and state statutes and rules, as applicable, and in accordance with accreditation standards and the Scope of Practice for the Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, Standards of Practice, Standards of Professional Performance, and Code of Ethics for the Profession of Nutrition and Dietetics.
CRDN 2.2 Demonstrate professional writing skills in preparing professional communications.
CRDN 2.3 Demonstrate active participation, teamwork and contributions in group settings.
CRDN 2.4 Function as a member of interprofessional teams.
CRDN 2.5 Work collaboratively with NDTRs and/or support personnel in other disciplines.
CRDN 2.6 Refer clients and patients to other professionals and services when needs are beyond individual scope of practice.
CRDN 2.7 Apply change management strategies to achieve desired outcomes. CRDN 2.8 Demonstrate negotiation skills.
CRDN 2.9 Actively contribute to nutrition and dietetics professional and community organizations.
CRDN 2.10 Demonstrate professional attributes in all areas of practice.
CRDN 2.11 Show cultural humility in interactions with colleagues, staff, clients, patients and the public.
CRDN 2.12 Implement culturally sensitive strategies to address cultural biases and differences.
CRDN 2.13 Advocate for local, state or national legislative and regulatory issues or policies impacting the nutrition and dietetics profession.

Domain 3. Clinical and Client Services: Development and delivery of information, products and services to individuals, groups and populations.

Competencies

Upon completion of the program, graduates are able to:

CRDN 3.1 Perform Medical Nutrition Therapy by utilizing the Nutrition Care Process including use of standardized nutrition terminology as a part of the clinical workflow elements for individuals, groups and populations of differing ages and health status, in a variety of settings.
CRDN 3.2 Conduct nutrition focused physical exams.
CRDN 3.3 Perform routine health screening assessments including measuring blood pressure, conducting waived point-of-care laboratory testing (such as blood glucose or cholesterol), recommending and/or initiating nutrition-related pharmacotherapy plans (such as modifications to bowel regimens, carbohydrate to insulin ratio, B12 or iron supplementation)
CRDN 3.4 Provide instruction to clients/patients for self-monitoring blood glucose, considering diabetes medication and medical nutrition therapy plan.
CRDN 3.5 Explain the steps involved and observe the placement of nasogastric or nasoenteric feeding tubes; if available, assist in the process of placing nasogastric or nasoenteric feeding tubes.
CRDN 3.6 Conduct a swallow screen and refer to the appropriate health care professional for full swallow evaluation when needed.
CRDN 3.7 Demonstrate effective communication and documentation skills for clinical and client services in a variety of formats and settings, which include telehealth and other information technologies and digital media.
CRDN 3.8 Design, implement and evaluate presentations to a target audience.
CRDN 3.9 Develop nutrition education materials that are culturally and age appropriate and designed for the literacy level of the audience.
CRDN 3.10 Use effective education and counseling skills to facilitate behavior change.
CRDN 3.11 Develop and deliver products, programs or services that promote consumer health, wellness, and lifestyle management.
CRDN 3.12 Deliver respectful, science-based answers to client/patient questions concerning emerging trends.
CRDN 3.13 Coordinate procurement, production, distribution and service of goods and services, demonstrating and promoting responsible use of resources.
CRDN 3.14 Develop and evaluate recipes, formulas and menus for acceptability and affordability that accommodate the cultural diversity and health needs of various populations, groups and individuals.

Domain 4. Practice Management and Use of Resources: Strategic application of principles of management and systems in the provision of services to individuals and organizations.

Competencies

Upon completion of the program, graduates are able to:

CRDN 4.1 Participate in management functions of human resources (such as hiring, training and scheduling).
CRDN 4.2 Perform management functions related to safety, security and sanitation that affect employees, clients, patients, facilities, and food.
CRDN 4.3 Conduct clinical and client service quality management activities (such as quality improvement or quality assurance projects).
CRDN 4.4 Apply current information technologies to develop, manage and disseminate nutrition information and data.
CRDN 4.5 Analyze quality, financial and productivity data for use in planning.
CRDN 4.6 Propose and use procedures as appropriate to the practice setting to promote sustainability, reduce waste and protect the environment.
CRDN 4.7 Conduct feasibility studies for products, programs or services with consideration of costs and benefits.
CRDN 4.8 Develop a plan to provide or develop a product, program or service that includes a budget, staffing needs, equipment and supplies.
CRDN 4.9 Engage in the process for coding and billing for nutrition and dietetics services to obtain reimbursement from public or private payers, fee-for-service and value-based payment systems.
CRDN 4.10 Analyze risk in nutrition and dietetics practice (such as risks to achieving set goals and objectives, risk management plan, or risk due to clinical liability or foodborne illness).

Domain 5. Leadership and Career Management: Skills, strengths, knowledge and experience relevant to leadership potential and professional growth for the nutrition and dietetics practitioner.

Competencies

Upon completion of the program, graduates are able to:

CRDN 5.1 Perform self-assessment that includes awareness in terms of learning and leadership styles and cultural orientation and develop goals for self-improvement.
CRDN 5.2 Identify and articulate one’s skills, strengths, knowledge and experiences relevant to the position desired and career goals.
CRDN 5.3 Prepare a plan for professional development according to Commission on Dietetic Registration guidelines.
CRDN 5.4 Advocate for opportunities in the professional settings (such as asking for additional responsibility, practicing negotiating a salary or wage or asking for a promotion).
CRDN 5.5 Demonstrate the ability to resolve conflict.
CRDN 5.6 Promote team involvement and recognize the skills of each member.
CRDN 5.7 Mentor others.
CRDN 5.8 Identify and articulate the value of precepting.

In addition to the ACEND-mandated minimum number of supervised practice hours, the DI has both didactic course and supervised practice assignments that are learning outcome-based to meet the ACEND Core Knowledge competencies for entry-level practice.  Interns must complete and pass all courses with a minimum score of 83 percent to successfully complete the dietetic internship.  Additionally, competency completion must be demonstrated for all competencies as outlined in the didactic curriculum and supervised practice experiences.  Successful completion of the dietetic internship and a master’s degree results in a Verification Statement which grants eligibility to take the registration examination for dietitians and a program Certificate of Completion. 

Admission Standards and Procedures

Admission Requirements for the Cedar Crest College Dietetic Internship include the following:

  • Minimum of a Baccalaureate Degree
    • Effective for the 2023 Intern cohort, a minimum of a bachelor’s degree for the DI/Master’s program or minimum of a master’s degree for the stand-alone DI Certificate program
  • Verification of completion of the Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) or the Intent to Complete form from an accredited DPD issued within the past five years
  • Overall and DPD GPA of 3.0 or above
  • Official transcripts of all prior academic work completed from all colleges and universities
  • Two semesters (or the equivalent) of a Medical Nutrition Therapy Course completed no more than four years prior to application to the Cedar Crest College Dietetic Internship
  • Students with an MNT course more than four years ago that have a subsequent Master’s degree or a Master’s degree in progress will have their recency of education standards evaluated on a case-by-case decision
  • Technological competence
    • The internship uses an online learning platform for all coursework and synchronous learning sessions.  Applicants are expected to have competence with basic technology including Microsoft Office programs and internet navigation.

Applicants to Cedar Crest College’s Dietetic Internship must complete all application materials including the computer matching process. The application materials can be found on Cedar Crest College’s web site https://www.cedarcrest.edu/di

Once matched to Cedar Crest College’s DI, students must meet all admission criteria including health and medical clearances and a criminal background search. Interns will be required to obtain a ServSafe Manager certification (or be certified with an equivalent food and safety sanitation certification based on his/her supervised practice state) prior to starting rotations.

D&D Digital Systems Computer Matching

Cedar Crest College participates in the Spring computer matching process which is handled by D&D Digital. Applicants will rank their choice of internship using a code number. The code number is obtained through D&D at www.dnddigital.com. There is a $55 fee for using the computer matching process. Registration dates for this process TBA by D&D. D&D can be reached at 515-292-0490 or .

Dietetic Internship Centralized Application System (DICAS)

The Cedar Crest College Dietetic Internship uses the online centralized internship application (DICAS) which can be accessed at https://portal.dicas.org; e-mail . Fees are required for each DICAS application. The completed application packet must be submitted to DICAS by the February deadline for the April match notification. (Date TBA by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics)

How to Submit the Application

In addition to the DICAS application, interested candidates must complete the “Cedar Crest College DI Student Online Application Form” and remit a $60.00 application fee (separate from the fees charged by DICAS).  The Cedar Crest College DI Onsite or Distance Track instructions are available on the website. If applying to both tracks, only one application fee to Cedar Crest College is required.  The application fee is waived for graduates of the Cedar Crest College DPD program.

Detailed application instructions / information can be found on the website at www.cedarcrest.edu/di  

Preselect to the Cedar Crest College Dietetic Internship

The Pre-Select Admission Process offers qualified Cedar Crest College Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) students and Cedar Crest College  graduate students (enrolled in the Master’s in Nutrition, Master of Science in Integrative Exercise Science, Modular Master of Science, or Master of Public Health degrees) the opportunity to apply for admission into Cedar Crest College’s Dietetic Internship (CCC DI) Graduate Certificate Program. Students applying to the preselect admission option will commit to attending the CCC DI the following year and bypass the online centralized application (DICAS) and dietetic internship computer matching process.

Preselect qualifiers for DPD Students:

  • Must have senior status and be enrolled in Medical Nutrition Therapy I at time of application
  • Must have a minimum DPD GPA of 3.3
  • Must have a minimum of 20 hours of volunteer experience (dietetics or non-dietetics related) demonstrating commitment to an organization
  • Must receive “highly recommends” summative evaluation from DPD Director
  • Must provide a professional E-portfolio highlighting academic and work achievements
  • Must schedule an appointment with the Dietetic Internship Director to review their admission requirements and discuss the application process Before July 15th (in the summer prior to application)
  • Must attend at least one Open House (On-campus or Virtual) prior to application in your senior year

Must submit unofficial Cedar Crest College transcript that includes Fall semester grades

Must schedule a meeting with Program Director and/or Academic Advisor Before May 30th to discuss eligibility and receive Pre-Select Application if meets Pre-Select qualifications

Preselect qualifiers for Master’s in Nutrition Students:

  • Must have completed 9 graduate credits
  • Must have a minimum MHSc GPA of 3.6
  • Must have a minimum of 20 hours of volunteer experience (dietetics or non-dietetics related) no more than one year prior to application
  • Must have successfully passed the NDTR exam* since completion of DPD program. *If NDTR exam taken >1 year before application:
    • Must have a minimum of 50 hours shadowing or work experience in dietetics-related position within the past six months OR
    • Must have a minimum of 10 CEUs per year credentialed outside of the graduate curriculum
  • Must receive “highly recommends” summative evaluation from graduate program adviser
  • Must submit one Pre-Select Reference Form and Waiver from a work and/or volunteer experience supervisor completed within the past 3 months
  • Must provide a professional E-portfolio highlighting academic and work achievements
  • Must schedule an appointment with the Dietetic Internship Director to review their admission requirements and discuss the application process Before October 15th
  • Must attend at least one Open House (On-campus or Virtual) prior to application
  • Must submit unofficial Cedar Crest College transcript that includes Fall semester grades.
  • Must schedule a meeting with Program Director and/or academic advisor Before September 15th to discuss eligibility and receive Pre-Select Application if meets qualifications

Note: requirements for application to the Preselect option are the same for all national DI match applicants, except preselect applicants do not have to participate in DICAS or D&D Digital Matching

A student who is offered and chooses to accept a position in the Cedar Crest College DI through the preselect process is not eligible to apply to other programs during the national spring DI match.  Full acceptance via the preselect process is conditional and requires maintained GPA minimums, continued adherence to all college policies for academic integrity as set forth in the Cedar Crest College Student Handbook, adherence to individual class policies as set forth in class syllabi, and for DPD students; the receipt of the DPD verification statement. 

Cedar Crest College students who are not eligible to participate in the preselect process or choose not to participate in the Fall Preselect process may apply to the Cedar Crest College DI during the national DI match in the spring. Cedar Crest College students who participate in the national spring DI match enter the regular pool of applicants at that time; positions in the Cedar Crest College DI will not be reserved for Cedar Crest College seniors, alumnae, or graduate students during the national Spring DI match.

Didactic Coursework and Supervised Practice

There are two components to the Dietetic Internship: the didactic component and the supervised practice component.

Didactic Component:

The DI requires the intern to take 12 graduate credits.  The DI- required didactic courses align with each supervised practice rotation to further enhance learning and application of concepts.  Attending virtual classes is mandatory as determined by each instructor.  Students are informed of their progress in graduate coursework through feedback and grades earned on case studies, live discussions, papers, presentations, or other assigned work. All required DI required graduate coursework must be completed independently and successfully to complete the internship.   Onsite and distance interns complete the didactic classes in the same virtual classrooms.

The DI-required courses include:

  • NTR 572 66/ MHS 572 66: Clinical Nutrition (3 credits)
  • NTR 572 70: Clinical Nutrition Supervised Practice (0 credits)
  • NTR 573 66 / MHS 573 66 Food Service Management (3 credits)
  • NTR 573 70: Food Service Management Supervised Practice (0 credits)
  • NTR 574 66/ MHS 574 66: Community Nutrition (3 credits)
  • NTR 574 70: Community Nutrition Supervised Practice (0 credits)
  • NTR 575 66 / MHS 575 66: Advanced Community Nutrition (3 credits) 
  • NTR 575 70: Advanced Community Nutrition Supervised Practice (0 credits)

All interns must have a master’s degree or be enrolled in a master’s degree to complete the DI.  Accepted interns have the option of enrolling in one of the following CCC onlinegraduate programs:

  1. Master in Nutrition
  2. Master in Integrative Exercise Science
  3. Modular Master of Science
  4. Master of Public Health (Starting Fall 2024)

 The respective program director will work with each intern to determine the graduate course schedule.  Master’s course schedule and DI schedules are integrated to allow for successful completion of both programs simultaneously.  The DI provides 12 embedded master’s credits that count towards the completion of the above degrees.  Part-time enrollment options are available and can be discussed with the DI Director/ Master’s Program Director.    

Supervised Practice Component:

The DI includes three core rotations [Clinical, Community, and Food Service Management (FSM)] and a Concentration rotation [Community or Diabetes]. Each rotation includes guided experiences and assignments that will enable interns to meet the ACEND-required competencies.  To complete the DI, the ACEND-required 1000 hours* of supervised practice must be completed and all courses must meet a grade of ≥83% or “pass” for the non-credit supervised practice courses.  Preceptors from each rotation evaluate the intern’s performance on various projects or patient interactions and provide a formal mid-rotation and end-of-rotation evaluation. 

Interns in supervised practice cannot be used to compensate for or support employee shortages and/or absences in any facility. 

Per the ACEND Accreditation Standards for Nutrition and Dietetics Internship Programs (DI), 2022, Standard 1, pg. 6, programs must plan 1000 hours of supervised practice experiences with a minimum of 700 hours in professional work settings; a maximum of 300 hours can be in alternate supervised practice experiences such as simulation, case studies, and role playing. 

Onsite Track

  • Interns who select the onsite track will complete their supervised practice hours at facilities in the greater Lehigh Valley area (within 1 hour of Allentown, PA)). Intern preferences and professional goals are considered by faculty during site placements.

Distance Track

Interns that choose the Remote/Distance Track design a rotation schedule that aligns with their unique professional goals and in the communities where they want to live and work. Interns must secure their rotation sites at the time of application as outlined at http://www.cedarcrest.edu/di.

Program Calendar

August Orientation:                         08/15/23 – 8/17/23
Graduate coursework                      08/28/23 – 12/15/23
Rotations begin:                               1/16/2024
Virtual January Orientation:          1/16/24
Summer Break from rotations Graduate Coursework continues 8/28/24 –  12/15/24
Fall Rotations begin – 8/19/24 
Graduation: TBD May 2025

The Program Calendar is subject to change.  The Cedar Crest College DI follows guidance from administration, government mandates, and facility-specified restrictions .  

Program Completion Requirements

To meet program completion requirements and be issued a verification statement, each intern in either the onsite or distance track must:

  1. Complete a minimum of 1000 hours in supervised practice as defined by the Dietetic Internship Program Rotation Calendar within 150% of the program’s length (15 months).
  2. Complete all didactic coursework with a final course grade of B (83%) or higher. This includes completion of all assigned learning activities, assignments, quizzes, case studies, and attendance at all required lectures.
  3. Achieve  all  ACEND competencies as outlined in the didactic and supervised practice curricula.
  4. Complete all pre-requisite onboarding, including summer assignments, intern orientation, criminal history, and background clearance, and medical compliance according to the state and/or all supervised practice facility guidelines.
  5. Effective for the 2023 internship cohort, students must provide the Program with proof of a conferred graduate degree.
    • If enrolled in one of the DI/Master’s Combined Programs, the conferred graduate degree will be issued upon successfully completing their respective graduate program’s course requirements as defined in the Graduate Catalogue and verified by official transcripts provided by the Registrar’s Office after the degree is conferred.
    • To complete the Stand-alone DI Certificate Program, the conferred degree must be provided upon acceptance into the Program.

The DI Director, Clinical Coordinators, and the course instructors will provide continuous feedback to the intern through assignments, conferences, and evaluations throughout the internship.  Failure to complete any of the above criteria will result in either repeating the specific course/rotation or not graduating from the internship.  A course or rotation can only be repeated once.  Failure to pass a rotation on a second attempt will result in dismissal from the program.  

Length of Internship

The program length is 18 months and begins in August.  ACEND requires all supervised practice experiences to be completed within a two-year period.  ACEND requires internships to report the percentage of interns who complete the program requirements within 150% of total program length.

Withdrawal and Leave of Absence

An intern may withdraw from the program at any time. Once an intern withdraws, his/her position in the program the position is closed and no longer available for re-admittance. If the intern wishes to reenter the program, he/she must reapply as a new student. Previously paid tuition and fees are not refundable. Should the intern reapply and be reaccepted, the previous fees and tuition will not be credited toward costs for the program.

An intern wishing to take a leave of absence from the DI may request to do so in writing to the DI Director.  Approval of the requested leave is at the discretion of the DI Director and requires a plan for return.  When both the DI Director and intern are satisfied with the terms of the leave, the intern must submit the “Withdrawal or Leave of Absence Application” found at my.cedarcrest.edu/.  The terms agreed upon by both the DI Director and intern should be included as part of the application.  The primary advisor will also receive a copy of the form once completed.  Note: The time frame associated with a leave of absence is not counted in the timeframe necessary to complete the Internship. Additionally, students granted approval for a leave of absence will not be assessed any additional tuition fees because of the leave of absence.

Reinstatement

If a student has been dismissed from the Internship for any reason, no future application will be considered. Students returning from an approved leave of absence will be reinstated into the Internship and will continue at the point where they left off.

Tuition and Fees 2023-2024

Tuition

$17,627 for DI onsite or DI distance track 
Masters Fast Track Per Credit Tuition Rates:  

  • Master’s in Nutrition | $750 per credit
  • Modular Master of Science | $865 per credit
  • Master of Science in Integrative Exercise Science | $750 per credit

Program Fees

Application Fee (non-refundable): $60 
Acceptance Deposit (non-refundable): $500 
Technology Fee per Semester: $100 
Clinical Program Fee*: $890
*Clinical Program Fee includes medical and criminal compliance tracker, drug screening, intern/preceptor tracking portal, course software, and known facility fees  

Note: The College reserves the right to change the fees and charges when necessary. The deposit is credited toward the tuition cost for the first semester.

Additional Required Expenses

Child Abuse Clearance: $15
Liability Insurance: ~$26
Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Student Membership: $58
Local Dietetic Association Membership: $10-$45 
Textbooks, Online resources, & Supplies: ~$200 
Lab Coat (2): ~$100 

The additional expenses are estimates only. They are provided to help you budget your finances during the internship

Variable Expenses

  • Transportation: A reliable, personal vehicle is required, and commuting expenses are the intern’s responsibility.  Distance interns should consider commutability when selecting facilities.  The CCC DI guarantees onsite placements at facilities within 60 miles of the College.
  • Health Insurance:  ~estimated $4800 per year. Personal health insurance is available through Cedar Crest College for purchase if you are a full-time student.  Please contact Student Financial Services for additional information.  
  • Physical Exam & Immunizations: $200-$500 (dependent on health coverage)
  • Housing: Off-campus housing rates will vary based on city and state.  Graduate housing is available for interns who opt to live on campus.  Please review the Graduate Student rates for accommodations on campus including meal plan options.
  • Technology needs include a laptop or desktop*, quality web camera and microphone

*The DI recommends a laptop in case the supervised practice facility does not offer a computer workstation and allows use of personal devices.  Please note: Apple devices may not integrate with all DI systems. Tablets and Ipads are not appropriate tools for the assignments required in the program.

Payment and Refund of Tuition

Interns are required to pay a non-refundable deposit of $500 upon acceptance into the program. Half of the remaining fees for the program are due prior to entering any supervised practice rotations or beginning any DI associated coursework. The second half of the remaining fees are due prior to resuming any DI associated coursework or entering supervised practice rotations following the program’s summer break. All fees and tuition are non-refundable.  Alternate payment schedules may be arranged with Student Financial Services at the discretion of the college.

Pre-Internship Requirements

Once accepted into the Dietetic Internship, all interns will be provided with the information for completing all the required medical and background checks including deadlines for submission and/or completion. No intern

may  begin supervised practice without a current physical, immunization record, and status in compliance with Health Services guidelines and completed clearances that meet state and/or facility guidelines.  If an intern has not submitted all completed clearances prior to the stated deadlines, or the clearances are not in accordance with facility or state requirements, her/his space in the program may be forfeited.

Health Clearance

Each intern must have a current physical examination. Both a Health History and Immunization Record form must be signed by a physician. The Cedar Crest College Health forms must be completed by October 15th as assigned in the Acceptance Letter. Interns need to complete all immunizations and other health clearances listed on the program’s list of medical requirements. The physical and immunizations must be current as the interns begin the program and remain current for the duration of the internship.

In some instances, blood test results require the intern to complete (or repeat) titers or a vaccination series.  If an intern has not started a required vaccination series by the Onboarding paperwork’s stated deadlines, her/his space in the program may be forfeited.

Supervised practice sites require additional health or background clearances that are not part of the Cedar Crest College general requirements. All ancillary testing and clearance checks must be completed as well.  If a site requests “additional requirements,” all interns should first speak with the internship team prior to signing or completing anything.

Criminal Background Clearance

All interns will undergo a Criminal Record Check and a Child Abuse History Clearance if applicable for their state. This criminal history background check is needed to work in facilities that are defined by Act 169 of 1996 as amended by Act 13 of 1997.  These facilities are defined as Home Health Care Agency, Adult Daily Living Centers, Personal Care Homes, and Community Homes for Individuals with Mental Retardation, State Mental Hospitals and Nursing Facilities. If the background checks show that the intern has a criminal or child abuse history, they may not be assigned to clinical sites and will not be able to complete the supervised practice experiences at this site or possibly at any site dependent on facility and state requirements. 

Additional state-specific criminal clearances are also required of each intern.  This can include but is not limited to statewide criminal searches, a residency history, county-criminal searches, nationwide criminal database with sex offender searches, and nationwide healthcare fraud and abuse searches.  All forms must be completed and on file by the Onboarding paperwork’s stated deadlines, her/his space in the program may be forfeited.

Drug Testing Policy

Prior to entering the supervised practice component of the Program, the interns will be tested in accordance with this policy and the affiliating agency’s policies.  Drug testing will include but not be limited to pre-placement drug testing, random drug testing or, when there is reasonable suspicion based upon the belief/observation that an intern may be impaired. 

Prior to the supervised practice component of the program, the intern will complete any required drug testing and will submit the testing results to the online portal of Castle Branch and the clinical agency as requested.  At the time of testing, the intern will disclose to the testing site any prescribed or over-the-counter medications, as well as any dietary habits that could modify testing results.   If the test results are positive, the intern will be removed from the DI Program, including the didactic component, and may be subject to further action.  If the intern refuses to undergo drug testing or refuses to authorize the release of the results to the College and supervised practice facility, the intern will be removed from the DI program. 

All prerequisite drug and alcohol testing must be completed prior to Orientation, usually one month before the rotation begins. Interns will be notified about testing arrangements, including testing sites.

The cost of any pre-placement drug testing that may be required by affiliating supervised practice facilities will be the responsibility of the intern.

The DI Director will notify an intern who has a positive drug and/or alcohol test or a violation of this policy and explain the outcomes, which may include removal from the supervised practice site and the didactic component with possible dismissal from the internship along with further action, as appropriate.

An intern wishing to appeal the decision may follow the Student Complaints- Appeal Process as outlined in the Graduate Program Catalogue found at cedarcrest.edu/academics.

Random and Reasonable Suspicion Testing Policy

All interns may be required to submit to random testing at the discretion of the College.  The costs for random testing will be covered by the College.

Any intern suspected of being under the influence of alcohol or drugs will be required to undergo testing.  A decision to require drug or alcohol testing based upon reasonable suspicion of substance abuse will be made by the DI Director in conjunction with the department chair in the program and/or the Provost. 

The requirement to undergo a reasonable suspicion drug test may be based on a variety of factors, including:

  1. Observable drug use and/or physical symptoms or manifestations of being under the influence of a drug or alcohol;
  2. Erratic behavior, slurred speech, odor of alcohol on breath, staggered gait, flushed face, dilated/pinpoint pupils, wide mood swings, or deterioration of work or academic performance; or
  3. Substance abuse-related conviction by a court or being found guilty of a substance abuse-related offense.

In the event an intern refuses to submit to random or reasonable suspicion testing, the student will be removed from the DI program.

The College, through each program chair/director, will notify an intern who has a positive drug and/or alcohol test or violation of this policy and explain the outcomes, which may include removal from the clinical component, removal from the Program and further action, as appropriate.

Any intern that wants to challenge the College’s actions under this section may utilize the Student Complaints – Appeal Process as outlined in the Graduate Program Catalog found at cedarcrest.edu/academics.

Confidentiality of Drug Testing

All drug and alcohol testing results will be maintained on the online portal through Castle Branch and will be treated by Cedar Crest College as confidential.  This information will not be disclosed to third parties unless disclosure is required by law, the information is needed by the College officials to perform their job functions, or the intern provided consent in writing to the release of the information.  To participate in the DI Program, interns must agree to release test results to supervised practice facilities as required by the site.

State and Federal Regulations

Interns are expected to abide by all state and federal regulations when at their supervised practice site.  Interns that do not abide by state and Federal mandates will be subject to disciplinary action up to and including dismissal from the site and the DI program.

HIPAA and FERPA /Confidentiality Statement

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) dictates how the interns deal with patients’, clients’, and residents’ confidentiality. HIPAA applies to Protected Health Information that is individually identifiable health information.  Interns are required to complete HIPAA training during the summer course and submit successful completion of the training. 

Some facilities, such as schools, will require interns to observe the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). Interns are expected to maintain confidentiality regarding each supervised practice facility, the college, patients, clients, employees, peers, mentors, and faculty.

Interns are required to communicate with members of the DI Team and preceptors through use of her/his CCC email account only.  DI Team members will not respond to intern emails sent from personal accounts; preceptors are also requested not to respond to intern emails sent from personal accounts. This is to protect all parties involved. 

Intern confidentiality is also maintained.  Interns can access their own files.  Health and immunization records can be viewed by the DI Team, but the DI is unable to print or provide records to supervised practice sites. 

Code of Ethics

Interns are expected to comply with all aspects of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Code of Ethics as the guiding principles governing all members of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

Orientation

Orientation to the Dietetic Internship is conducted virtually and attendance is mandatory for both onsite and distance interns. It is a three day program designed to introduce the intern to Cedar Crest College and provide a variety of hands-on-skills learning experiences to help prepare interns for entry into supervised practice. 

Evaluation of Prior Assessed Learning (PAL) Policy

Eligibility

The Cedar Crest College DI program participates in the “Assessment of Prior Learning” recognized by The Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND). Dietetic interns may apply for credit towards supervised practice hours positions held for at least 6 months of continuous employment in the nutrition discipline at the level of supervised practice for the rotation competencies being challenged.

The student cannot challenge more than 300 hours of supervised practice for the entire program.

Policy Standards

  1. Interns are required to complete the ACEND-required minimum number of supervised practice hours.
  2. Hours must meet the defined ACEND learning outcomes and competencies.
  3. All tuition and fees for the DI will remain the same regardless of APL credit awarded.
  4. Graduation date will not change regardless of PAL credit awarded.
  5. Intern must complete all DI-required didactic courses, regardless of APL awarded for supervised practice.
  6. No prior learning credit will be awarded towards the Concentration or Clinical rotation.
  7. Students requesting evaluation for APL must pay a $50 evaluation fee.

Procedures

The student must notify the DI Director that they intend to request evaluation for APL credit before June 1st of the internship year.

The DI Team will evaluate the professional experience portfolio to determine if ACEND-approved competencies have been met, and to what extent. The number of supervised practice hours to be waived will depend upon the number of rotation competencies the intern is able to demonstrate mastery of. The DI Team will determine if prior experience meets the ACEND competency to replace a portion of a rotation.  The DI Director makes the final determination of the hours waived.  After the portfolio is submitted, no additional documentation will be accepted. 

  1. Intern will contact the DI Director by email after acceptance into the DI to request an assessment of prior learning for a rotation.
  2. If request is approved, DI Director will provide the intern with the PAL-Form with ACEND Learning Objectives & Competencies Rotation Description Table to document the professional experience portfolio learning experiences that achieve the ACEND-required competencies. 
  3. Intern will submit documentation of the prior learning experiences and $50 fee no later than June 15th.

The professional experience portfolio should thoroughly describe, and document the knowledge gained experientially, as well as how the knowledge gained achieves the ACEND competencies. The professional experience portfolio submission should include supporting documentation to demonstrate how the listed competencies were achieved. Examples can include job description(s)/job duties, performance appraisals, promotions, projects (e.g., lesson plans, budget reports, copies of developed employee scheduling, menus, etc.), and other relevant documentation.

Interns applying for credit towards supervised practice hours must submit a complete professional experience portfolio to the DI Director by June 15th.  Checks for the $50 application fee must be sent via mail and postmarked by June 15th.

Registration Examination

The graduate must obtain the application to take the Dietetic Registration exam from the Commission on Dietetics Registration (CDR) and submit it to CDR by the necessary deadlines. Cedar Crest College is neither responsible for, nor liable for, a graduate’s failure to pass the Dietetic Registration exam.

After completing the dietetic internship, graduates will be competent to function as entry-level dietitians.  Registration eligible graduates must pass the national registration examination for dietitians to be credentialed as a registered dietitian.  State licensure (if applicable) is specific to each state.  Application can be made per each state’s requirements.  In PA, interns will go through the PA Nursing Board to obtain their state license.  More information on PA licensure can be found at: http://www.licensepa.state.pa.us/

Cedar Crest College Dietetic Internship’s outcomes data is available upon request. 

Preparation for the RD Exam

To help interns successfully prepare for the RD exam, the Cedar Crest College Dietetic Internship will provide all interns with access to an exam preparation resource for a reduced cost, that is part of their course fees.  A $100 rebate incentive will be offered if the intern meets the following requirements:

  1. Sign an agreement form regarding use of the exam preparation resource and submit it to the DI Team by the deadline outlined in the agreement form.
  2. Utilize the resource and take practice tests per the requirements of the program as outlined in the agreement form.
  3. Schedule and take the RD Exam and submit the printed score report received upon exiting the test center site by the deadlines outlined in the agreement form.  [Please note that it is not necessary to pass and/or achieve a minimum score on the exam in order to receive a $100 rebate. The incentive rebate is dependent only on taking the exam by the required deadline.]

* Each student will receive a $100.00 rebate only if – all of the stipulations listed above are met, per the requirements as outlined in the agreement form. This includes minimum usage of the tests taken with documentation, as well as taking the RD Exam and submitting the RD Exam results by the deadlines outlined in the agreement.

Verification Statement & Certificate

Upon successful completion of all didactic coursework, supervised practice hours and assignments, interns will receive a Dietetic Internship Certificate signed by both the Chair of the Nutrition Department and the President of the College.   Students must complete both the DI and a master’s degree to obtain their Verification Statement documented in accordance with the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.  Additionally, the DI Director will provide the graduates with the required registration eligibility paperwork. The DI Director will also provide each graduate with a Verification Statement documented in accordance with the Academy.  An authenticated electronic signature will be used to sign all Verification Statements and a copy saved to the Department’s protected electronic files.  The verification statement assures that the graduate has completed all work in a satisfactory manner and is necessary for eligibility to take the Registration Examination.