20 - Dietetic Internship Policies

The Dietetic Internship Program follows the OUHSC/College of Allied Health process for Academic Appeals. An intern may request a hearing before the Academic Appeals Board for appeals related to an academic evaluation in a course; a thesis or dissertation defense, a general or comprehensive exam, suspension or dismissal under the Student Professional Behavior in an Academic Program Policy, and academic program-related decisions resulting in the student being dismissed from a program or being required to repeat a semester or year. The process is meant to provide a mechanism for a consistent appeals process that treats both parties as fairly and as impartially as possible, that protects confidentiality, and is as expedient as possible. Refer to the College of Allied Health Student Handbook for the full appeals process.

For complaints related to sexual misconduct, discrimination, and harassment, refer to the OUHSC Student Handbook.

For complaints related to HIPAA compliance, refer to the OUHSC Office of Compliance.

For complaints about the program that do not fall under the purview of the above processes, the process below should be followed:

• A student should first attempt to resolve the matter informally via a conference with the individual associated with the program (faculty member, staff, preceptor, instructor, or evaluator) as soon as possible after the precipitating event. The student should set forth his or her concerns in writing and set up a conference.
• If the dispute is not resolved to the satisfaction of the student after conference with the other individual, the student must attempt to resolve the matter with the program director within 10 days after the conference with the other individual. Again, the student should set for his or her concerns in writing, send this document via e-mail to the program director, and set up a conference with the program director. (In those cases in which the complaint is against the program director, the student should attempt to resolve the matter with the department chair.) During this part of the informal resolution process, the program director will meet with the student and consider the information contained in the detailed written statement provided by the student, confer with the other individual if deemed necessary, attempt to resolve the matter, and advise the student that he or she may further address the complaint to the department chair.
• If the issue is again not resolved to the satisfaction of the student after the conference with the program director or the conference with the program director is not appropriate, the student should address the concern with the department chair within 10 days of the conference with the program director. At this point, the complaint is considered a formal complaint, and record of the complaint and its resolution will be kept on file for at least 7 years per ACEND accreditation standards. Prior to this meeting with the department chair, the student should set for his or her complaint in writing and send it to the department chair via e-mail when setting up the conference. The department chair will again attempt to resolve the issue to the satisfaction of the parties involved and may involve college dean as needed.
• Complaints against the program related to noncompliance with ACEND accreditation standards may be submitted in writing after all other options within the program and within OUHSC have been exhausted. These complaints may be submitted directly to ACEND.

Evaluation tools are utilized to help the intern progress toward the goal of becoming a competent entry-level dietitian. Interns are evaluated in the following manner:

1. Weekly meetings with the facility supervisor (preceptor) to orally discuss progress and performance, confirm goals/activities for the next week, and sign the time sheet;
2. Evaluations of Behavioral Performance (completed separately by intern and supervisor and discussed jointly) conducted twice during the management and clinical modules;
3. Evaluations provided in the curriculum for all major projects, assignments, activities, and in-service;
4. Competency exam administered after the three major rotations (community, clinical, foodservice management) before the elective rotation.

The interns are expected to participate in IP evaluation in the following manner:

1. Evaluation of the Program at an exit interview and again one year after graduation;
2. Evaluation of the quality of supervision and feedback provided by the respective facility, agency, or organization (review of rotation form);

Evaluation is a time-consuming process yet one critical to intern development and program quality. Interns are expected to participate fully in the evaluation process as part of their personal and professional responsibility. The IP utilizes an on-line student and facility rotation. Students are required to subscribe to the eEurriculum online evaluation system by AllofE Solutions. Cost is $100 and must be paid by credit card or PayPal during orientation week.

Advising on enrollment is not routinely required, since the curriculum for the Dietetic Internship Program is set, but students are encouraged to seek advisement and/or help as needed with the Program Director, other faculty or preceptors. Ultimately, responsibility for meeting graduation requirements rests with the intern. Department faculty and preceptors are generally available for appointments throughout the week.  Interns should make appointments by contacting the individual faculty member or preceptor.  An intern who repeatedly has difficulty contacting a faculty member or preceptor should contact the program director.

Interns’ academic and professional progress in the program is monitored through the Department’s Academic and Professional Progress Committee (AAPC), consisting of teaching faculty of the Department. The APPC will meet at the end of each semester, and more often if needed, to review the progress of each student. The APPC analyzes each student’s overall academic, clinical, and professional performance and makes recommendations in writing to the Dean regarding each student’s academic and professional progress.  The APPC may recommend that the Dean commend, promote, retain, place on or continue probation, suspend, or dismiss an intern. Recommendations may also include, but are not limited to:

• Individualizing rotation selection.
• Modifying sequence of rotations.
• Repeating rotations.
• Assigning specialized academic and/or clinical projects.
• Making program modifications to allow for higher-level work and advanced studies for interns making exceptional progress.

When an intern's grades and/or clinical and/or professional performance do not constitute required progress, that intern is informed of the recommendations of the Academic and Professional Progress Committee by letter from the Dean, which includes the Dean’s decision and necessary sanctions.

Students who have minimal chances of success in the program will be counseling into career paths that are appropriate to their ability.

The guidelines for absences are as follows:

1. The intern may take up to 3 days (24 hrs.) of excused time. All other absent time must be made up so as to complete the required 1208 hours of supervised practice.
2. A calendar provided to the intern on the first day of the experience denotes all holidays, class dates, etc. Interns are expected to follow the schedule as outlined on the calendar. The only exception to the outlined scheduled will be excused time as noted above.
3. Some supervised practice facilities may observe holidays that are not part of scheduled University holidays. In that case, the intern must make up the hours at another time during the program (not necessarily that rotation) so as to comply with the minimum 1200 hours of supervised practice required by ACEND and 1208 hours required by the OUHSC program.
4. It is up to the discretion of the facility preceptor to approve requests for absences other than illness. Interns must seek approval for proposed absences (personal days) other than illness, family emergency or death of a loved one at least two weeks in advance.
5. Although interns should log all hours involved in supervised practice at facilities, banking of hours is not permitted. If an intern is scheduled to be at a facility, they must show up. Taking time off because they worked through lunch or stayed late the day before is not allowed. Interns often complete the program with greater than the required 1208 hours.
6. Interns will work when scheduled by preceptors. This will usually be Monday – Friday. However, there may be occasional weekend days scheduled. Interns are expected to be flexible to take advantage of a variety of learning opportunities. If an intern feels a preceptor is scheduling them inappropriately, he or she should first talk to the preceptor and attempt to resolve the issue. If the result is unsatisfactory, the intern should contact the Clinical Coordinator and/or IP Director who will aid in resolving the issue.
7. Deviation from the schedule without preceptor and/or IP Director’s approval will not be tolerated. If an intern is going to be late or absent, they are required to immediately contact both the preceptor and the clinical coordinator.

All other time missed (at the practice site or in class) must be made up. If make-up hours are needed, and upon approval of the facility supervisor and the IP Director, the intern may choose to extend daily hours for a given period of time, or add additional days to the required experience. Prior approval must be obtained from the preceptor and Clinical Coordinator or IP Director.

The only other exception to make-up of missed time is if the intern is attending a professional meeting or activity approved in advance by the facility and IP Director.

The intern must obtain permission from any supervisor/preceptor and the IP Director well in advance of any personal appointment, such as a doctor’s appointment. It is up to the discretion of the facility preceptor as to whether an intern may be excused for such and any such time must be made-up. Interns are discouraged from asking for time away except in emergencies or unusual situations.  Personal day requests must be made in writing via email to the preceptor and IP Director no less than 72 hours of the requested date of the personal day (illnesses and family emergencies are an exception). Please note that interns may request time off for interviews but this must be approved by the IP Director.

Interns are to call both the respective preceptor and the IP Director or Clinical Coordinator if they are going to be late or absent. Calls should be received prior to the scheduled work time and no later than 8:00 am when calling the IP Director or Clinical Coordinator. When contacting the IP Director or Clinical Coordinator, the intern may send a text message, call the cell phone, or call the work voice mail at: 405-271-8001 x41181. If the intern has an emergency and is unable to reach the IP Director or Clinical Coordinator, the intern may call 405-271-2113 and speak to a member of the department staff. The staff member can direct the intern’s call to an available faculty member.

The intern will be required to maintain weekly information including record of work hours utilizing the online record keeping system on eCurriculum through the “Weekly Summary” form.  Interns must create the “Weekly Summary” every Monday of the rotation week and will present the completed “Weekly Summary” to the preceptor for approval and electronic signature by Friday (or at the end of a rotation if less than one week).  Interns are responsible for reminding preceptors to complete his/her part of the “Weekly Summary” on Friday of that week.  Preceptors are instructed to complete the “Weekly Summary no later than Monday of the following week.  Incomplete forms will be returned for additional information.  Failure to maintain all required records (weekly summaries, evaluations, & assignments) will result in disciplinary action that can include dismissal from the program. An intern will not be able to take the final competency exam if forms are not up-to-date and current.

The program also furnishes a Dietetic Intern “Weekly Summary” paper form in case a facility does not have computer access. The intern is to have the facility/site preceptor approve and sign the weekly summary for the week (or at the end of a rotation of shorter than one week). After proper completion (all required information filled in and required signatures are obtained) the weekly summary form may be scanned and emailed, faxed to the Department of Nutritional Sciences or mailed to the IP Director no later than the following Monday. Intern is responsible for keeping a copy for their portfolio.

Interns requesting a “Leave of Absence” from the internship program must make this request in writing to the program director and provide supporting documentation as necessary.  A “Leave of Absence” is defined as absence from the program for fifteen (15) consecutive rotation days or greater.  The program director will approve any request for a leave of absence.  Rotation sites confirmed prior to taking the leave of absence may not be guaranteed upon return, and intern understands rotation sites (previously confirmed or new sites to be confirmed) will be scheduled upon availability of facility/preceptor.  Upon return from the leave of absence, the intern must complete his or her remaining number of supervised practice hours to complete the ACEND-required 1200 supervised practice hours.  For any leave of absence occurring greater than one (1) year, the intern must reapply to the internship program, and any previous supervised practice hours completed in the program will not be valid.

The intern will be required to maintain weekly information including record of work hours utilizing the online record keeping system on eMedley through the “Weekly Summary” form.  Interns must create the “Weekly Summary” every Monday of the rotation week and will present the completed “Weekly Summary” to the preceptor for approval and electronic signature by Friday (or at the end of a rotation if less than one week).  Interns are responsible for reminding preceptors to complete his/her part of the “Weekly Summary” on Friday of that week.  Preceptors are instructed to complete the “Weekly Summary no later than Monday of the following week.  Incomplete forms will be returned for additional information.  Failure to maintain all required records (weekly summaries, evaluations, & assignments) will result in disciplinary action that can include dismissal from the program. An intern will not be able to take the final competency exam if forms are not up-to-date and current.

The program also furnishes a Dietetic Intern “Weekly Summary” paper form in case a facility does not have computer access. The intern is to have the facility/site preceptor approve and sign the weekly summary for the week (or at the end of a rotation of shorter than one week). After proper completion (all required information filled in and required signatures are obtained) the weekly summary form may be scanned and emailed, faxed to the Department of Nutritional Sciences or mailed to the IP Director no later than the following Monday. Intern is responsible for keeping a copy for their portfolio.

Interns are to immediately report any accident, regardless of how minor and regardless of whether injury was experienced, to both the respective preceptor and IP Director. The intern is to be familiar with the accident/injury policy of each facility/site so that appropriate procedures can be followed should an accident or injury occur. Accidents and injuries must be reported immediately.

The guidelines for absences are as follows:

• If you are ill, please do not go to work and infect others. The intern may take up to three days (24 hrs.) of excused time during the internship. Additional time must be made up.
• Except for illness (doctor’s note may be required), no more than two days (16 hrs.) should be taken in any one rotation module.

All other time missed (at the practice site or in class) must be made up. If make-up hours are needed, and with approval of the facility preceptor and the IP Director, the intern may choose to extend daily hours for a given period of time, or add additional days to the required experience (assuming there is an RD on site for supervision). Made up hours cannot be counted unless prior approval was obtained from the preceptor and IP Director.

Interns have established hours, as designated by the supervised practice site, and must unquestionably adhere to these times. Lateness is not allowed. Interns should plan for poor weather, traffic, etc. so that they arrive on time, prepared and ready to begin the day.

The Department of Nutritional Sciences requires that interns provide their current address and telephone number to the Department. Thus, if an intern’s contact information changes, this information should be communicated to Department Staff as soon as possible. Communication of a name change must be made via an official form ("Intern Information Change Request" form) obtainable from Department Staff or from the CAH Office of Academic and Intern Services in room 1009 of the College of Allied Health Building.

Whether on campus or in a clinical environment, the intern should project a professional image. Although structured guidelines are identified only for dress in the clinical setting, it is the desire of faculty and dean that interns appear neat, clean and well-groomed at all times.

The following are minimal departmental guidelines. Additional dress and identification guidelines of a particular site/facility must also be observed. The intern should ask on the first day of a rotation for any additional facility guidelines relative to dress and identification.

Identification – The Department arranges for official nametags, which are purchased by the intern. Nametags must be worn in all practice settings and interns will not be allowed to participate in a practice setting without some type of official identification. It is important that the intern be easily identified by both name and discipline, particularly in a setting where interns and professionals from many disciplines are engaged in the delivery of health care. In addition, the intern purchases a picture ID that is to be worn in any facility located on the Health Sciences Center Campus.

Dress – Professional dress is conservative business attire. In any practice setting, no casual clothing, including jeans, should be worn unless the intern has specifically indicated such for a particular activity.  Uniforms are typically not required as most facilities require lab coats worn over professional clothes. Occasionally, interns may be asked to wear scrubs during a portion of the foodservice rotation depending on the assigned facility. If you do wear scrubs, they should be cleaned and pressed.

Shoes – Feet must be protected; therefore, do not wear sandals, flip-flops, or any other open-toed shoes.

Hair – Hair absolutely must be clean and neatly groomed; hair is a natural reservoir for bacteria and disease-producing organisms and thus should be worn in such a way as to not make contact with patient records, equipment, food trays, patient bedding, etc. (i.e. wear away from the face). Beards are acceptable for males if they are neat and kept closely trimmed.  (Exception: some facilities many not allow beards in the foodservice area. The intern should ask the preceptor prior to the respective rotation.) Specific facility guidelines for covering/restricting hair must be strictly observed during the foodservice rotation.

Jewelry – Avoid jewelry that is large and could inadvertently be grasped by a patient, caught in patients bedding, or fall into the food. The best rule is to leave jewelry at home.

Scents – Avoid heavy scents. Strong odors, even of a pleasant nature, are may often be offensive to those who are ill.

Hygiene – Daily personal hygiene is a must; nails should be clean, trimmed and free of colored polish.  Teeth, hair, and body should be clean and free of odor.  Avoid putting your hands to your hair, face, and mouth, and wash hands frequently.

Undergarments – Undergarments should not show through outer clothing.

Lab coats – Lab coats should be solid white, clean, and be pressed with sharp creases regardless of type of fabric. Lab coats should be kept on a hanger when not worn.  Lab coat should be short- no longer than mid-thigh.  Longer coats are reserved for physicians and medical fellows.

If in doubt as to whether a particular article of dress is appropriate, do not wear it. Consult with your preceptor or IP Director about an article where there is question. Above all, remember that professional dress is conservative dress. Interpretation of appropriateness rests entirely with facility staff followed by that of the IP Director. Facility preceptors/supervisors have been instructed to send an intern home to change clothes if they are dressed inappropriately. Time missed to go home and change will have to be made up at the preceptor’s convenience.

Amid all of these guidelines and apparent restrictions, please try and remember that appearance is a major way in which to instill confidence in others and earn respect from peers, facility personnel and other healthcare professionals with whom you come in contact.

Supervised practice sites are selected based on their ability to provide students with an excellent learning experience. Students are not compensated for supervised practice and must not be used to replace employees.

The University enters into Academic Affiliation Agreement (“AAA”) with institutions, Organizations, and agencies (hereinafter “Facilities”) that provide supervised practice sites where students meet competencies required by ACEND.  The AAA delineates the rights and responsibilities of both the Facility and the University.  Periodic evaluation of adequacy and appropriateness of sites is completed at least every five years or sooner as required to renew the AAA. Representatives from the Facility and administrators from the university sign the written document.

Interns are placed in Facilities throughout Oklahoma to obtain supervised practice experience that meets ACEND competencies. Interns understand that they may be placed at any Facility in Oklahoma for any duration of the IP.  Facility placements are not guaranteed and may be subject to change at any time due to preceptor availability, Facility availability, or other circumstances beyond the University’s control.  While the IP will make reasonable efforts to reassign interns affected by the loss of a rotation site, interns also should understand that loss of a rotation site may result in a delay of graduation.

Interns must have a safe and reliable mode of transportation to ensure timely arrival at the practice setting. Interns may be assigned to Facilities outside of the Oklahoma City/Tulsa metropolitan areas and are expected to provide their own transportation. It is the intern’s responsibility to provide transportation and assume any associated costs.

There may be times when the intern will incur housing/hotel expenses when placed at a site that is outside of the Oklahoma City/Tulsa metropolitan areas. Again, it is the responsibility of the intern to secure such housing arrangements and to assume any additional housing/hotel costs. No allowance is provided for either travel or housing. The University assumes no liability for accident or injury in travel to and from a practice setting.

It is the responsibility of the intern to make contact with the preceptor(s) prior to starting any new rotation.  For each new rotation which an intern begins and unless otherwise stated, the intern must contact the preceptor(s) two weeks in advance to confirm the rotation and ask questions in preparation for the rotation.  Preceptors require correspondence from the intern because some preceptors will provide pre-rotation paperwork to complete or reading material to review in preparation for the rotation.  Preceptors may be contacted via phone or email unless specific instructions are provided.  When addressing a preceptor for the first time, you must address him/her as Mr. or Ms. (i.e. Ms. Smith). 

Please note: if a preceptor is not contacted in the appropriate time frame, the rotation may be subject to cancellation and must be made up at the end of the internship.  If the intern has made every attempt to contact the preceptor(s) and is not successful, the intern must contact the IP Director or Clinical Coordinator one week prior to starting the new rotation.

Interns are to immediately report any accident, regardless of how minor and regardless of whether injury was experienced, to both the respective preceptor and Program Director. The intern is to be familiar with the accident/injury policy of each facility/site so that appropriate procedures can be followed should an accident or injury occur. Accidents and injuries must be reported immediately.

If bad weather develops while the intern is at school, official notice of closing and cancellation of classes is valid only when originating from the Provost’s Office, to the Office of the Dean, and subsequently through the Department. This notice is communicated to interns in classes and clinical facilities as soon as it is received.

Since interns are in class at the OUHSC only a few days during the program, they are usually involved in patient care activities in hospitals and clinics at the time a weather closing occurs. Interns are expected to mirror preceptors in attendance. If the facility is open and the intern is assigned to be there, he or she is expected to report for duty and complete tasks as assigned. Under no condition should interns abruptly leave clinical facilities as this may compromise the care of patients and leave a poor impression with the clinical staff of the facility. Even if the university is closed by order of the Provost, interns are expected to report to the rotation. In the event the intern cannot get to the site, he or she must do the following:

1. Call the preceptor (do not email). On the first day at the site you should ask for a number at which to call them.
2. Call or text the IP director and clinical coordinator to let them know that you have called the preceptor and received approval to either be absent or come in late.
3. Let the IP director and clinical coordinator know whether you want to take a personal day or what the plan is to make up the hours if you will be late or have an approved absence.

In the event that the clinical facility in which the intern is working closes, and the College does not, the intern is not excused from attending classes or clinical activities for that day. The intern must contact the clinical coordinator or IP Director immediately for instructions regarding alternate clinical education activities (e.g., temporary move to another site) or making up missed time.

If hazardous weather develops while at home, information regarding the closing of the Health Sciences Center and cancellation of classes is available via the news media. If the intern fails to gain information by this means, call the OUHSC number for hazardous weather information is 405-271-6499.

If the intern fails to report to their location because of hazardous weather, the absence will not be excused. The intern is required to contact the clinical facility preceptor and the IP Director and Clinical Coordinator to inform them of the intended absence. If you cannot speak to the faculty or supervisor directly, leave a specific message with the time, date, message, and phone number where the intern can be reached. If an intern does not follow the policy, the IP staff will write a professional concerns report that may impact the course grade.

20.16 - COMPETENCY EXAM

Pre-Competency Exam

An internship pre-competency exam will be administered during Orientation Week to the Dietetic Internship Program.  This competency exam will cover all material that the intern learned from his/her respective DPD program.  This exam will be very similar to what you will expect to see when you take the RD exam for Dietetic Registration when you graduate from the internship program. 

Suggestions to prepare for the pre-competency exam:

• Reviewing textbooks, notes, other study material from the intern’s DPD program
• Purchasing commercial RD exam study material including:
  • Inman Review 
  • Visual Veggies 
  • Breeding & Associates Registered Dietitian Exam Review Guide 

Purchasing commercial review material is not a requirement for the internship.  Many interns choose to purchase commercial review material when they graduate from the internship to prepare for the RD exam.  Purchasing the study material earlier in the internship program would be a good investment to help the intern prepare for the pre-competency exam, then continue to use the study material after graduation for the RD exam.   

An acceptable passing score for the pre-competency exam is 70% or higher.  Obtaining a score lower than 70% will NOT prevent an intern from starting supervised practice rotations.  Interns who do not score a 70% or higher will be given an “Internship Boot Camp” assignment that he/she must complete throughout the duration of supervised practice rotations.  This assignment will consist of multiple clinical case studies and other assignments to help strengthen the intern’s knowledge to pass the RD exam.  Due dates for the “Internship Boot Camp” assignments will be evenly distributed throughout the supervised practice rotations.  The Internship Director may also suggest/require the intern purchase a commercial RD exam study material to help strengthen the intern’s knowledge if he/she did not pass the pre-competency exam with a 70% or higher.

Please note: interns that pass the pre-competency exam with a 70% or higher are NOT required to complete the “Internship Boot Camp” assignment, but they are encouraged to complete the assignment as extra study material in preparation for the RD exam.   

Final Competency Exam

On class day #3 prior to starting the elective rotation, ALL interns will take a final competency exam, which is similar to the pre-competency exam and the RD exam.  In order to pass the internship program, an acceptable score for the final competency exam is 70% or higher.  Interns who do not score a 70% or higher on the final competency exam will have an opportunity to re-take a different final competency exam one week later.  If an intern does not pass the re-take of the final competency exam, the Dietetic Internship Director will develop a personalized remediation plan with the intern to be accomplished during the elective rotation.  The purpose of the remediation plan is to help strengthen his/her knowledge to pass the RD exam.  In the event an intern must complete a remediation plan, any cost associated with this will be at the intern’s expense.  Once this remediation plan has been completed at a satisfactory level, and all supervised practice hours in the elective rotation and in the internship overall have been completed, a verification statement will be issued to the intern.

The purpose for taking the pre-competency exam and final competency exam is to prepare the intern for RD exam.

The faculty believes in providing opportunities which develop and enhance the professional growth of the intern. Membership in the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND) is required. As a matter of policy, interns are also encouraged to participate in professional meetings, conventions, projects, etc. The following activities are highly encouraged:

1. Intern memberships in local, state, and national professional organizations;
2. preparation, display, and presentation of professional-related exhibits, essays, poster presentations, etc.;
3. participation in National Nutrition Month activities; and
4. attendance and participation at any function in which new knowledge or the quality of professionalism is enhanced.

In promoting the above philosophy, interns are required to attend at least one professional meeting and turn in a summary through D2L. They are highly encouraged to attend others when possible, particularly:

• Oklahoma City District Dietetic Association meetings (OCDDA);
• Conventions of the Oklahoma Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (OkAND meets twice annually, in the Fall and the Spring); and
• Food and Nutrition Conference and Exhibits (FNCE), the annual convention of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (held each fall).

The faculty encourages interns to also attend other nutrition-related meetings and seminars, which are offered at times other than those, which require the intern to be in scheduled experiences. Approval to attend conferences, seminars, etc., which conflict with routine academic schedules is to be arranged through the IP Director after securing initial approval from the preceptor at the respective affiliation site.

Program costs vary and are subject to change. Current program costs are provided to the intern upon acceptance to the Program and can be obtained from the Bursar’s office website.

A well-staffed Office of Academic and Student Services exists within the College of Allied Health. The Director and staff handle a wide variety of issues relative to intern advisement, admission, enrollment, grades, classroom and technical support, retention, and graduation. The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center provides additional, well-organized and well-staffed support services to assist faculty and interns, including a public relations department to oversee marketing and visibility and assist with public relations activities; an office of research administration which assists with grant preparation; and a media, graphics and photography department which assists in designing and duplicating a variety of materials/resources. A wide variety of additional intern support services are available.

The Department of Nutritional Sciences presently occupies suite 3057 of the Allied Health Building, 1200 N. Stonewall, and includes offices for each of the faculty members, a Departmental Office for staff, and a work room (room 3069). In addition, there is a food lab in room 3055.

The Department maintains several pieces of equipment, which can be utilized by the interns when needed for class presentations, review of A-V materials, etc. Most major classrooms within the College of Health Building also have equipment for presentations as well.

Intern lockers in the Allied Health Building are available on a first-come-first-serve basis and are checked out through the College of Allied Health, Office of Academic and Student Services. Interns are responsible for any items placed in their lockers and the University is not liable for any loss.

Students are urged to assist with program development and student governance by attending student governance meetings and volunteering for committees. One opportunity includes volunteering for the Student Advisory Team (StAT). Each internship class will elect a representative. Representatives are also elected from the CP class and graduate program class to attend the beginning of Department Faculty Meeting once per month to bring to the faculty any issues the class is currently facing. Because interns are not on campus due to rotations, they will report any issues to the other StAT representatives to be presented in Department Faculty Meetings. New representatives will be chosen at the start of each class.

A Student Dietetic Association exists within the Department for those students desiring to participate in an organization that celebrates and promotes the profession of dietetics. Sponsorship of the Student Dietetic Association rotates among faculty and information relative to membership is circulated at the beginning of each Fall semester and is available at all times from the Clinical Coordinator. Dues, by-laws, activities, etc., are established by the organization.

Access is available through the intern's “OneCard”. The OneCard is used as an ID and building/room/lab access card. The “OneCard” is $10.00 for interns, which is collected at the time a photo is taken. Replacement cards for lost or stolen ID’s are $15.00. Payment may be made by cash or check. OneCard services are located in the Service Center Building, Room 118.

An intern who intends to practice in Oklahoma should request and submit a completed application for Provisional Licensure in Dietetics (P.L.D.) prior to accepting a position. The application materials may be requested from The Board of Medical Licensure and Supervision, PO Box 18256, Oklahoma City, OK 73154-0256, or by calling 405/848-6841.

Graduates cannot practice dietetics in Oklahoma without being licensed by the above Board. Violation of the law may result in a misdemeanor. New graduates must have a Licensed Dietitian (L.D.) as a direct on-site supervisor when working under a temporary letter to practice (this occurs for all new graduates). During this time the new graduate cannot use the credentials P.L.D. and all chart notes in the medical record must be co-signed by an L.D. When the new graduate receives the license as a P.L.D., then he/she may practice under general supervision of a L.D. The graduate can legally use the credentials P.L.D. and charts notes can be signed as P.L.D. and do not require the L.D. to co-sign.

Once the graduate receives notice of passing the Registration Examination, he/she must notify the Board and submit an application for changing the P.L.D. to L.D. Once the graduate receives the L.D. license, he/she may practice without the supervision of the L.D. The graduate may then use the credentials, R.D. L.D.

The Commission on Dietetic Registration has noted with concern an increase in the use of the term R.D.E. (registered dietitian eligible) to designate registration eligibility by recent graduates. R.D.E. is not a credential recognized by CDR or the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Both employers and the public find the term confusing. Individuals should not use the term R.D.E. for employment or other purposes.

Upon successful completion of the Internship Program and receipt of the Verification Statement, an intern is eligible to apply to take the Registration Examination administered by the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR). Applications for the Exam will automatically be sent to the individual when CDR has established registration eligibility. Applications for eligibility are filed by the IP Director upon completion of the practice experience. The intern will be notified of all deadlines regarding registration and application for the Registration Exam during the internship experience. It is then the responsibility of the intern to ensure that these deadlines are met.

In March 2009, the Code of Ethics Task Force updated the Academy’s Code of Ethics. The revised Code of Ethics was published in the August 2009 Journal of the American Dietetic Association (now Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics) and can be found on pages 1461-1467.