Dietetic Internship Preceptor Resources

Dietetic Internship program is to prepare graduates to become entry-level registered dietitian nutritionists. Graduates gain the knowledge and skills needed to serve their communities through ethical, professional practice. The program also encourages lifelong learning, evidence-based practice, and leadership.

Preceptor Requirements

Competencies and Learning Activities

Before your rotation, please review the list of competencies and associated learning activities. This document also includes suggested rotations where each competency is typically addressed.

If a competency is listed for your rotation and you feel it may not be achievable during that time, please let your intern and/or the Program Director know. We will work with you to identify another opportunity where the competency can be completed.

The program will also reach out with additional information regarding next steps.

Forms to be Completed During the Intern’s Rotation

Please review the following requirements for forms to complete during and after the rotation. These forms will be sent to you by the program.

Mid-Rotation Progress Report: For rotations >80 hours in length, complete halfway through the rotation. Not required for rotations <80 hours.
End-Rotation Progress Report: Complete on the last day or soon after.
Competency and Learning Activity Evaluation: Will be sent to you by the director toward the end of the rotation. Complete on the last day or soon after.

Additional Resources

Claiming Continuing Professional Education Units (CPEUs):

A maximum of 3 CPEUs per year or a total of 15 CPEUs per 5-year reporting period can be awarded to RDNs or RDs, and NDTRs or DTRs for this activity. Please send your completed Preceptor Verification Form to your program contact or to dietetic.internship@unco.edu for a signature.

Mission

The University of Northern Colorado Dietetic Internship program mission is to prepare graduates to become entry-level registered dietitian nutritionists who have the acquired knowledge to enrich the community through professional practice under the professional code of ethics and remain life-long learners that is supported by evidence-based research and leadership activity.

Goals and Objectives

Goal 1:

The program will prepare graduates to serve as competent entry-level registered dietitian nutritionists in various employment positions.

Objective 1.1: Full Time: “At least 80% of interns complete program requirements within 12 months (150% of planned program length)”. (RE 2.1.c.1.a)

Part time: “At least 80% of interns complete the program requirements within 21 months (150% of planned program length)”. (RE 2.1.c.1.a)

MS/DI: ” At least 80% of interns complete program requirements within 54 months (150% of planned program length)”. (RE 2.1.c.1.a)

Objective 1.2: “Of graduates who seek employment, at least 80% are employed in nutrition and dietetics or related fields within 12 months of graduation”. (RE 2.1.c.1.b)

Objective 1.3: “At least 80% of program graduates take the CDR credentialing exam for dietitian nutritionists within 12 months of program completion”. (RE 2.1.c.1.c.1)

Objective 1.4: “The program’s one-year pass rate (graduates, who pass the registration exam within one year of first attempt) on the CDR credentialing exam for dietitian nutritionists is at least 80%.” (RE 2.1.c.1.c.2)

Objective 1.5: Ninety-five percent of responding employers will agree (yes/no) that the graduate exhibited the knowledge and skills to perform as a competent entry-level registered dietitian nutritionist at the time of employment.

Goal 2:

Graduates of the UNC DI program will adhere to the professional code of ethics, integrate evidence-based research in practice, be lifelong learners, and exhibit leadership qualities.

Objective 2.1: At least 50% of graduates will report participating in at least one leadership activity and/or professional workshop/conference within a year after completion.

ACEND standards: 2022 Standards and Templates

Not currently a preceptor, but interested in becoming one? Email dietetic.internship@unco.edu