GETTING THE DIETETIC INTERNSHIP DICAS Nutritions on the

GETTING THE DIETETIC INTERNSHIP DICAS

Nutrition’s on the rise ◦ Number of DI applicants increases each year ◦ Odds of getting internship 2016 ◦ 1: 2 (University of Hawaii) ◦ 1: 20 (Emory) ◦ 1: 21 (Vanderbilt)

Components ◦ Applicant Guide to Supervised Practice (868 pages of gold) ◦ D&D matching ◦ DICAS

Dietetic Internship Centralized Application Service (DICAS) ◦ Created 2012? ◦ Electronic application folder accessible by all DI programs applied to ◦ Required along with D&D ◦ Is the current application process ◦ Must still apply to master's programs and portions of MSDIs separately

Content ◦ General applicant information ◦ Contact info ◦ Personal info ◦ Background info ◦ D&D match info ◦ Education ◦ DPD course list ◦ Colleges attended + transcripts ◦ Session & coursework (manually enter transcript info) ◦ GRE score ◦ DPD contact info (director – must verify in order to submit application) ◦ Additional info ◦ ◦ ◦ Awards, experience, volunteer Personal statements Resume References Application certification + electronic signature ◦ DI program designations (this is where PS can be attached as well as additional docs)

DICAS Pros Cons ◦ Comprehensive, centralized, and electronically accessible application ◦ Electronic ◦ Easier for preceptors to review applicants ◦ Difficult to navigate ◦ May be used to "weed out" applicants ◦ Applicants may be passed over who cannot properly navigate system ◦ Only need to compile information in one place for all applied to programs ◦ Not user friendly ◦ Must establish account far in advance before site closes ◦ Does not clearly state applicant must still sign up for D&D matching ◦ Time consuming

Internship Types ◦ Traditional ◦ Sites established by program usually within local range of university ◦ Distance ◦ Rotation sites may be established by program or may need to be established by intern; sites typically outside local range of university ◦ Comprehensive – Site Preceptor Pathway (SPP) ◦ Portion of sites/hours secured by program, student must establish remaining portions/hours (clinical, community, food service, or enrichment) ◦ Individualized Supervised Practice Pathway (ISPP) ◦ All rotation sites and preceptors must be established by intern

ISPP ◦ Created to replace previous "alternate unaccredited education pathways" ◦ Kept the flexibility of these programs but held preceptors accountable ◦ Added quality and consistency to experiences with the use of rotation-based activities and competencyassessment rubrics ◦ Useful for those not matched to traditional programs or those from other concentrations ◦ Typically more expensive than traditional pathway and requires student to secure all preceptors and rotations ◦ Student still qualifies for financial aid

Keep Dietetics Strong ◦ Be a mentor ◦ Involve yourself in your community ◦ Offer to be a preceptor ◦ Find accredited programs in your area ◦ http: //www. eatrightpro. org/resources/acend/accredited-programs ◦ Join the database ◦ http: //www. eatrightpro. org/resources/acend/training-and-volunteeropportunities/preceptors-and-mentors ◦ Be a strong presence (workplace, community, etc. ) ◦ Make your voice heard (petition kickbacks for being preceptor)