Program Overview and Completion Requirements
Program Completion Requirements
Completion of DPD requirements prior to enrolling in Viterbo's internship and completion of supervised practice as part of the internship are required to be eligible to take the exam to become a registered dietitian (R.D.).
In order to complete the dietetic internship, successful completion of 1200 hours is required. All competencies must be completed and the intern must consistently abide by all policies and procedures including those related to HIPPA requirements. and the Academy's standards of professional responsibility.
Specific requirements for each course within the internship are as follows:
PHASE I Courses
Nutrition 367: Health Assessment
Overview: This course assists the student in collection appropriate subjective and objective data associated with obtaining a health and diet history. This course provides an introduction to physical and diagnostic assessment of health status. Physical assessment competencies to be attained at the novice level include: assessment of body composition; measurement of vital signs; blood glucose; physical assessment of fluid status; assessment, of 'normal' breath and heart sounds; intra- and extra - oral assessment, dysphasia screening; and clinical assessment of nutrition status. The emphasis is on knowing normal findings and normal variations in the healthy adult, well child, and the well elder person. 2 credits
Completion Requirements: Achieve 95% accuracy in physical assessment using the body composition form; complete 2 diet history evaluation with all scores of at least a developing level 2; complete the nutrition assessment exam with a score of at least 80%; Successfully complete training to become a certified blood pressure screener; Successfully perform self blood glucose monitoring on a peer; complete Community Professionalism Evaluation with all related competencies (see Appendix 1) at least a developing level 3; complete all work in supervised practice according to the Code of Ethics for the Profession of Dietetics.
Nutrition 369: Supervised Practice in Developmental Nutrition.
Overview: Skills necessary for nutritional assessment and nutritional care of healthy individuals throughout the life cycle. Supervised practice may take place in the County Health Department, preschools, community education programs, Viterbo University athletic department, and nursing homes. 4 credits
Completion Requirements: Complete 1 group education evaluation with all areas marked at least a developing level 3; complete at least one PESI note evaluation with all areas marked at least a developing level 3; complete Community Professionalism Evaluation with all related competencies (see Appendix 1) at least a developing level 3; complete all work in supervised practice according to the Code of Ethics for the Profession of Dietetics
PHASE II Courses
Nutrition 450: Management in foodservice.
Overview: Management of systems involved in the purchasing, production, distribution, and service of quality food in on site food service operations. 4 credits
Completion Requirements: Complete guided projects at least 80% of the available total points; complete Food Service Management Professionalism Evaluation with all related competencies (see Appendix 1) at least a developing level 3; Complete all work in supervised practice according the Code of Ethics for the Profession of Dietetics.
Nutrition 474: Supervised practice in nutritional management of disease.
Overview: Students assume major nutritional care responsibilities for individual patients in a nursing home and hospital setting. Continuing to emphasize on the development of professional, educational, and counseling skills. 7 credits
Completion Requirements: Complete one case summary sheet, nutrition diagnosis, and PESI nutrition note each week on a patient assigned with all components rated at least at a developing level 3; Complete one oral report of patient study earning at least 80% of the available total points; complete MNT Professionalism Evaluation with all related competencies (see Appendix 1) at least a developing level 3; Complete all work in supervised practice according the Code of Ethics for the Profession of Dietetics.
PHASE III Courses
Nutrition 475: Supervised practice in community nutrition problems.
Overview: Assessing nutrition-related problems and needs of a subpopulation group in Western Wisconsin. Developing related program plan and marketing strategies to help solve that problem. During the final week of this course, students will take a three-hour comprehensive nutrition exam. This exam tests knowledge and application of all past nutrition courses and includes: normal nutrition, therapeutic nutrition, food science, food service management, and community nutrition. The test is patterned after the R.D. exam in length and content. 6 credits
Completion Requirements: Complete the Professional Writing evaluation with all components of at least a developing level 3; complete Community Professionalism Evaluation with all related competencies (see Appendix 1) at least a developing level 3; complete all work in supervised practice according the Code of Ethics for the Profession of Dietetics.
Nutrition 477: Supervised practice in nutrition in health promotion.
Overview:Prevention of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, weight control, nutrition/exercise interrelationships, nutrition counseling, and intuitive eating are covered. Supervised practice sites will be through the outpatient clinics at Gundersen Lutheran. Attendance at the Wisconsin Dietetic Association Meeting or other state meeting is completed during this course. Interns are responsible for registration fees, travel, meals, and overnight accommodations during the conference. 5 credits
Completion Requirements: Complete at least one project management/leadership evaluation with all components at least at a developing level 3; Complete two individual counseling evaluations with an average of areas rated at least at a developing level 3; complete Community Professionalism Evaluation with all related competencies (see Appendix 1) at least a developing level 3; Complete all work in supervised practice according the Code of Ethics for the Profession of Dietetics.
PHASE IV Courses
Nutrition 480: Leadership in community-medical dietetics.
Overview: Entry level practice and management of the nutrition component of health care in one community (4 weeks) and one acute care (4 weeks) setting. Students will assume entry-level responsibility in each of these settings, functioning equivalent to a full-time staff member and following the schedule of a RD at the facility. Student preferences are considered in the assignment of final rotations. 11 credits
Completion Requirements: Complete a final portfolio with all components of the portfolio evaluation of at least a developing level 4; complete two final Evaluation of Professionalism with all related competencies (see Appendix 1) at least at a developing level 4; Complete all work in supervised practice according the Code of Ethics for the Profession of Dietetics