Program Outline

Program Outline by Weeks*

I.       Clinical Nutrition Rotations - 16 weeks  

Medicine – 5 weeks
Critical Care/Nutrition Support – 5 weeks
Pediatrics – 2 weeks
Advanced Clinical Services – 2 weeks
Staff Relief Experience – 2 weeks
(Advanced Clinical followed by Staff Relief rotations will include one or more services: medicine, critical care/nutrition support, digestive health, oncology, burns, neuroscience, surgery, cardiovascular, transplant, outpatient oncology, or pediatrics.  Intern interests and learning needs, as well as preceptor availability, are considered for assigning coverage area)
  

II.       Food Service Systems Rotations - 8 weeks

Hospital Food Service Management – 6 weeks 
Food and Nutrition Operations – 2 weeks 

III.      Community Nutrition Rotation - 3 weeks

This rotation includes time in the VCU Medical Center, Outpatient Nutrition Services. This also includes specialty clinics such as diabetes, bariatrics, obstetrics, oncology, HIV, transplant, etc.), at the VCU Health Hub at 25th (group diabetes prevention program, grocery store tours and other nutrition education programs), as well as exposure to community agencies (i.e. Meals on Wheels, WIC and a community clinic). 

IV.      Advanced Leadership - 5.5 weeks

Advanced Administration - 2 weeks
Advanced Management - 2 weeks
Nutrition Services Audit - 1.5 weeks **

Interns work as a group to complete an audit that will culminate in a group report to senior management and administration at the conclusion of their internship experience.

 V.     Elective Rotations - 4 weeks

Elective Rotations are planned to meet the individual needs and interests of each intern as well as concentration requirements.  Examples of specialty rotations include community and public health programs, university and K-12 nutrition programs, long term care facilities, research, wellness/fitness programs, sports nutrition, private practice, eating disorder care centers, and numerous adult and pediatric clinical in-patient and out-patient practice areas. Specialty rotations may be completed at affiliation sites or within VCU/VCU Health.

VI.     Other

Orientation - 1.5 weeks (includes internship and hospital required orientation)
Required Time off - 2 weeks
~ For classes beginning in August, 2 weeks are schedule in December/January
~ For classes beginning in January, 1 week is schedule off for Independence Day and 1 week for Labor Day
Personal Time Off – 5 days for vacation, interviews, etc. 
Sick Time – 2 days

VII.     Substitution for Prior Learning

Incoming dietetic interns may request that prior learning experience(s) be substituted for planned rotation time. The maximum number of hours that can be substituted is 120 (not applicable for ISPP interns). The Program Director will make the decision based on the information submitted per program policy once the intern is matched to the program. Costs and expenses are not reduced for prior learning credit awarded. Please contact the Program Director for any questions related to this policy.

 

*Actual rotations and lengths may vary for Individualized Supervised Practice Program (ISPP) interns based upon past and current experiences evaluated through the Substitution for Prior Learning process.