Program Accreditation Information
The Southern Regional Medical Center Dietetic Internship Program
is currently granted accreditation by the Commission on
Accreditation/Approval for Dietetics Education of The American
Dietetic Association.
Their address is:
The American Dietetic Association
120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2000
Chicago, IL 60606-6995
Their website address is: www.eatright.org
Their phone number is: 800-877-1600
Frequently Asked Questions
- How long has this program been in existence?
The Dietetic Internship at Southern Regional Medical Center has been in
existence for 12 years Our current enrollment is 8 students. We will begin our 15th class in the fall of 2008.
- When does the program start?
Our Dietetic Internship begins in early August and is
finished the end of May the following year. The program lasts approximately 9
months.
- What types of rotations will I complete at Southern
Regional Medical Center's Dietetic Internship?
- Clinical (~12 weeks)
Our internship has a clinical
emphasis as we are hospital based. The clinical rotation is 12 weeks long,
one of which is spent on case studies and in clinical classes. The majority
of the clinical experience is gained within our facility, although some
optional rotations may be at other Atlanta hospitals. Southern Regional does
offer some unique experiences, such as a Critical Care Unit, a Women's Life Center and Riverwoods Psychiatric Hospital.
- Food Service Management (~6 weeks)
The food service
portion of the internship is completed within our facility as well. The food
service rotation is module-based and the first two weeks are spent
completing modules by working with and observing various aspects of food
service in a hospital setting. The second two weeks are spent working as a
supervisor in the kitchen to gain supervisory and management skills. The
final two weeks are spent working with food service management and
administration
- Diabetes (~3 weeks)
Since diabetes is such a major
health concern, we devote three weeks to this area of nutrition. Interns work
with our Diabetes Nurse Educator and Outpatient Dietitian to teach many
aspects of diabetes management and outpatient nutrition counseling.
- Community / Wellness (~7 weeks)
The community rotations are very diverse as students work at
local fitness and wellness centers, public health/WIC and school
wellness/nutrition.
- Long Term Care (1-2 weeks)
Interns will get to experience the role of the dietitian in this
environment.
- Emphasis (4-6 weeks)
Interns have an option of
completing a six-week emphasis in an area of their choice. Interns have the
opportunity to work with dietitians in various areas of nutrition. Some have chosen to work in specialty areas such as writing for nutrition
web sites, nutrition support, geriatrics, eating disorders, diabetes, long
term care, dialysis (www.davita.com),
alternative medicine, cardiac rehab, private practice, pediatrics,
and many others. The options are endless if you use your creativity!
- Skills Development (~ 2 weeks)
These are
orientation / skills development classes done with Georgia State University
(www.gsu.edu) & Emory
Hospital (www.emoryhealthcare.org)
to prepare you for rotations.
- What hours would I be working? Could I work another
job part-time?
Interns are expected to work 40 hours per week. Mondays are
spent in classes with interns from Emory University Hospital and Georgia
State University. Interns go to rotations Tuesday - Friday. It is
expected you will be available 8:30am - 5:00 pm every day. In addition,
there are a few weekends and evenings when you will have assignments.
It is possible to work part-time. This is a choice that has to be made
by each intern individually, as some are able to balance it, and some
cannot. In addition, our department offers PRN positions for weekend
food service employees (~32 hr/month). Positions available differ from
year to year.
- How many RD's do you have on staff?
The Food & Nutrition Department at Southern Regional Medical
Center has 9 RD's on staff in different roles. One is the assistant director, 3 are CNSD (Certified
Nutrition Support Dietitians), and 3 have graduate degrees.
- Do you offer housing arrangements or roommate
match-ups?
If you are moving here from outside the Atlanta area, we
will be glad to assist you in locating housing. Often there are students
moving from out of state who can partner as roommates. We also can provide
information on students from other Atlanta area internships as possible
roommates when requested. You also might find the following links useful:
www.apartmentfinder.com or
www.rent.com
- What is the placement rate for jobs after the
internship is completed?
From our class of 2008, 100% of our students are employed
in the nutrition field. Most of our former graduates are working in the
health or nutrition fields. The staff at Southern Regional Medical Center
works hard to place interns in jobs when the program is completed.
- In what area are your past graduates working? (Class of 2006-2008)
- 56% Clinical
- 14% Long Term Care
- 11% Sales
- 7% Food Service Management
- 4% Outpatient
- 4% Community
- 4% Home health
- What are the requirements for graduation?
In order to qualify for graduation from
the program, interns are required to complete all the weeks of the
program, successfully achieve all CADE competencies, pass all
rotations, and complete all assignments.
Mission Statement
The dietetic internship program at Southern Regional Medical
Center will prepare you academically and professionally to
integrate, apply and practice theoretical knowledge. This
knowledge will allow you to provide quality
nutritional
care in a cost-effective manner and pursue innovation both in
the work place and professional associations. Upon completion
of the program, you will be eligible to take the registration
examination for dietitians
and follow the Standards of Practice
set forth by the ADA. After completing the program, you will be
prepared professionally for entry-level dietitian positions in
the areas of community, clinical and management. You will be
competent, professional and motivated to advance in the field
of nutrition through practice and demonstration of patient care
and the pursuit of out-comes-based research.
Southern Regional
Medical Center provides interns the opportunity to share
nutrition awareness with community members.
The program is accredited for an enrollment of 8 interns
annually and provides both a general emphasis and a nutrition
therapy emphasis.
Program Goals
The program will prepare graduates to be competent entry-level
dietitians.
- Graduates will achieve over a 5- year period a
"first-time" pass rate of 80% on the
RD exam.
- The mean rating that employers give program graduates in their
employment will meet or exceed a rating of "3" (average performance;
satisfies general expectations).
- The mean rating of self evaluations completed by graduates will meet or
exceed a rating of "3" (average performance; satisfies general
expectations).
- All graduates pursuing continuing education or advance credentialing
will be successful. When evaluated by preceptors interns will achieve a
rating of "meets expectations" or "satisfactory" or better.
- When evaluated by interns, preceptors will achieve a rating of "2"
(satisfactory) or better.
- When evaluated by interns, rotations will achieve a rating of "2"
(satisfactory) or better.
Through encouragement, motivation, and support, program staff will ensure
interns complete the internship.
- One hundred percent of the interns beginning the
internship will complete the internship within 150% of the time planned for
completion. (Internship is typically completed in 9 months, therefore 150% =
13.5 months).
- Graduates indicate on survey that preceptors and staff were supportive
and encouraged completion of internship
The program will prepare interns to participate in professional
organizations.
- When surveyed, 75% of the graduates will indicate they are involved in a
professional organization.
- During the internship, interns will attend 1 or more professional
meetings.
The program will prepare interns to participate in community activities.
- When surveyed, 50% of the graduates will indicate that they participate
in community activities.
- All interns will participate in community service activities during the
internship.
Fees
Southern Regional Medical Center's nine-month Dietetic Internship
Program enables baccalaureate or master's prepared students the
practical experience and opportunity to complete registration
requirements for the RD examination.
Tuition of $6000 includes
didactic and practical experience, office and presentation
supplies, Internet access, and the availability of a medical library.
Other expenses will
include a $50 application fee and the combined expenses of a
lab
coat, liability insurance and textbooks (approximately $200). The
average housing cost in the metro Atlanta area is $800 per month.
The student is expected to have a mode of transportation as public
transportation is not available in all areas of practice.
Scholarships and Financial Aid
Southern Regional cannot offer financial aid and / or student loans
as we are not affiliated with a university. We do suggest
applying for scholarships from the American Dietetic Association or
contacting the Georgia Dietetic Association at
770-433-9044 or by
e-mail. Please note deadlines for these scholarships typically
coincide with the application deadline in February.
Admission Requirements
- Completion of current didactic program in dietetics with
minimum academic requirements as approved by the American
Dietetic Association
- Original Verification Statement or Declaration of Intent issued by the
program director of your school
- Overall grade point average of 3.0
- Nutrition (DPD) grade point average of 3.25
- Three references (academic and professional).
Must be originals NO photocopies.
- Interview (in person or conference call) for selected
applicants.
- One page cover letter to include your goals, areas of interest, and
expectations of the internship.
Interns are chosen based on computer matching. Application
packets may be obtained from your didactic Program Director or
D
& D Digital Systems, 515-292-0490. For questions regarding
computer matching, please follow this link to the
American
Dietetic Association.
Applicant Responsibilities
From the American Dietetic Association
-
APPLICATION PHASE
Applicants are responsible for obtaining current application materials
from selected Dietetic Internships (DI). The basic steps in this process are:
- Obtain current application materials from selected DI at
least 6 months prior to appointment date in April.
- Discuss with your Didactic Program Director (DPD).
- If required, apply to take the Graduate Record Examination (GRE).
**Not required for Southern Regional
Medical Center**
- Obtain the Declaration of Intent or Verification Statement from
your DPD. This standardized form is to be completed by the DPD and
will be required as part of your application packet.
** Copies are NOT acceptable**
- Request references from advisors/ faculty / employers and order
transcripts as needed.
- Complete each application according to instructions provided with
each application and submit the materials to the DI director by the
designated deadline date. Questions about completing applications
should be referred to the DI Program Director and NOT your DPD or
ADA staff.
- Provide a phone number with applications where you can be reached
on Appointment day in April.
- It is recommended that all materials be sent by receipted mail for
proof of mailing date and delivery. Enclose a self-addressed postcard
if you want to be notified of receipt of the application from the
program.
- Submit to D & D Digital Systems the mark / sense card with the
prioritized list of selected programs along with the matching fee ($50)
by the deadline date in February. Cards must be sent by certified mail
(return receipt requested). D & D will not send notifications of
receipt. Applicant should call D & D if the certified mail receipt is
not returned within 3 weeks.
Applicants Please Note:
DI priorities
should be selected carefully; no changes will be accepted by D & D once
you have submitted your mark / sense card!
-
COMPUTER MATCHING PHASE
- The applicant is responsible for notifying D & D, in writing, of
his/her decision to withdraw from the matching process if he/she makes
other arrangements and will be unable to accept a match that
may occur.
- The applicant is responsible for telephoning D & D if they cannot
access the D & D web site to view their personal matching results in
April.
-
APPOINTMENT PHASE
- Applicants who receive a computer match are responsible for
accepting or rejecting the match by telephone or email on the
appointment date.
- Applicants must obtain signed Verification Statements from their
DPD prior to beginning the DI.
-
PLEASE NOTE: IMPORTANT APPLICANT RESPONSIBILITES
- As a participant in the computer matching process,
it is expected that applicants who receive a match will adhere to
the results of the match and accept that match. It is
unacceptable to decline a match in order to pursue
appointment to another program.
- As a participant in the process, it is expected that applicants
who do not receive a computer match will not contact any program with
open positions until the day after the established appointment
date. This means you may not call programs with open
positions until the next day. This will allow the programs time to
confirm acceptance from their matched applicants and determine the
process they will use to fill open positions.
- In addition, please do not ask your DPD to contact programs with
open positions prior to the deadline. They are also restricted from
inquiring about open positions.
-
APPLICATION MATERIALS
- All applications become property of Southern Regional Medical
Center and cannot be returned.
Application Procedure
Your application packet should include:
- Application fee of $50 made payable to Southern Regional
Medical Center.
- 3 letters of recommendation from academic and
professional references
(download a blank copy of this form)
*must be original signature
- Original* transcripts from all schools attended.
*Copies are NOT acceptable
- One page typewritten cover letter including your goals of the
internship,
expectations and areas of professional interest.
- Verification Statement Form or Declaration of
Intent Form completed by your program director.
*Copies are NOT acceptable
- Completed ADA Application
(Microsoft Word
Format, Adobe Acrobat (pdf) format)
Completed packets must be postmarked by
February 17, 2009. Mail completed packets to:
Southern Regional Medical Center
Food & Nutrition Services Department
Attn: Tracy Smith, RD, LD, Internship Coordinator
11 Upper Riverdale Rd.
Riverdale, GA 30274
Curriculum
- 992 hours of supervised practice.
- 200 hours of lecture and didactic practice.
- Various seminars with Atlanta area dietetic
internships.
About Our Location
Atlanta offers an exciting metropolitan experience with
multicultural restaurants, Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, Atlanta
Ballet, Alliance Theater, Turner Field, Underground Atlanta and
numerous other attractions.
Clayton County offers a quiet community, just 15 miles
south of the hub of downtown Atlanta and 10 miles from Hartsfield-Jackson
International Airport.
Clayton County has many attractions such as The Beach (home of the
1996 Olympic Beach Volleyball venue), and several protected wetland
parks.
Clayton County has a diverse population with more than 40 different
ethnic groups. Southern Regional Medical Center is a major
employer in south metro Atlanta with more than 2,000 employees.
Contact Information
Phone Number: 770-991-8035.
OR
E-Mail: DietInternship@southernregional.org