Edward Hines Jr. VA Hospital Dietetic Internship Program
Nutrition and Food Service
The Nutrition and Food Service at VA Hines Hospital employs approximately 120 food service, clinical nutrition, and administrative staff (96 full time equivalents). Operating with annual budget of over seven million dollars the department provides high quality food for approximately 1200 meals per day. The Nutrition and Food Service Department consists of highly skilled and dedicated dietitians and food service employees. Each employee of this progressive department is a member of a team striving to provide nutritious meals and optimal nutritional care while functioning within a cost-effective, cost-efficient healthcare environment. The dietetic intern plays an integral role in this team approach to total quality improvement.
The Nutrition and Food Service is headed by a registered dietitian. The administrative section employs several registered dietitians who oversee the food production and service, purchasing, quality assurance, computer enhancements, and staff development and training areas. Effective methods of food service management systems are employed. Horizontal and vertical conveyors are programmed to transport trays automatically from the kitchen to the hospital floors. One satellite kitchen exists in the nursing home care unit, which services the geriatric patients and long-term care spinal cord injury patients. This satellite kitchen features a circular tray assembly line and services both dining room and bedside tray delivery. Currently, Hines Nutrition and Food Service prepares main plate items for Jesse Brown VAMC which is located approximately eight miles away. The food is blast chilled and sent daily to the Jesse Brown VAMC.
Our large staff of clinical dietitians provide clinical nutrition services to all inpatients as well as serving as active outpatient area. The goal of the clinical staff is to provide individualized nutritional care to each veteran. Each patient is screened within 24 hours of admission and assessed if appropriate within 48 hours of admission. Our highly sophisticated computer system aids the RD and technician with this endeavor. Nutritional care plans are developed based on individual need. Recommendations and evaluations are communicated to the members of the interdisciplinary healthcare team as well as documented in the patient Problem Oriented Medical Record via computer. The clinical nutrition staff works cooperatively with both the patient and healthcare team in attempt to promote the nutritional well being of the patient as wells as satisfy our customer, the patient.
Communications have been enhanced both intra- and interdepartmentally by the Veterans Integrated Systems Technology Architecture (VISTA). The nationwide electronic mailman system provides for communication within the hospital as well as throughout the 163 VA Medical Centers nationwide. The mainframe computer system has automated many of the functions of the clinical and administrative dietitians and uses a paperless medical record and administrative system. Clinical dietitians can assess patient data through the consolidated Health Summary Program, Pharmacy, Laboratory, Nursing, Medical/Surgical, and Medical Administration programs. In addition, diet orders and nutrition consultations can be electronically ordered and processed. The Clinical Dietetics package has one of the most advanced Nutritional Assessment programs currently available as well as a nutrient analysis package. Computer generated nutritional screening and profile forms aid the dietitians and technicians in the assessment and documentation process. The Food Management program assists in production, ordering, maintenance of a management reporting system, forecasting, and recipe analysis.
During the dietetic internship, the intern is trained to use all of the aforementioned programs. The intern becomes proficient in using the computer and incorporating it into daily functions.
Education plays an integral role in the Nutrition and Food Service department at Hines as well as in the philosophy of the hospital. Hines is dedicated to educating students and practitioners in all healthcare disciplines. This creates an environment that fosters continuing education and stimulates interest in research endeavors. This truly sets the stage for dietetic education. Support from the hospital top management for the Dietetic Internship program at Hines exemplifies the commitment toward continued learning and advancement of the profession.
Program Completion:
- Completes the scheduled 40 weeks of practical experience/class day lectures.
- Begins each unit fully prepared and satisfactorily completes the requirements of each unit rotation; minimum grade of C for graduate courses.
- Completes all assignments by established deadlines.
- Completes staff relief experience and walking rounds with an overall satisfactory performance rating based on established criteria.
- Completes a Research Project according to guidelines established by the University Illinois and criteria established by the Internship.
- Shows evidence of attendance, through completion of required forms, at a minimum of three professional meetings during off-scheduled time.
- Attends all workshops and seminars scheduled on class days during the year.
Leaving the program as a generalist dietitian, interns will be qualified for an entry-level position within the Department of Veteran Affairs, the largest employer of dietitians in the United States, or for an entry-level position in a variety of other organizations such as healthcare institutions, community agencies, private industry, school foodservice, and college and university foodservice. Assistance with job placement is provided near the end of the internship year.
Program Schedule
The internship is a 40 week program and the academic calendar begins in August and concludes in May. The dietetic intern can expect to work forty hours per week including one class day per week. The typical work week is Monday through Friday and scheduled hours will vary with each individual rotation. There may be an occasional weekend duty. Additional hours outside of work and classroom are expected to successfully complete the internship requirements. The internship curriculum also requires interns to attend weekly lectures, workshops, seminars, field trips, and classes covering all areas of dietetics. Hines Dietetic Internship Program works in conjunction with the other Chicago area internship programs to plan and sponsor most of these workshops and seminars.
Vacation
There is one week of vacation scheduled at the end of December, and National Holidays are observed except when they conflict with graduate level/UIC classes. During orientation a schedule of unit rotations will be provided to interns during their orientation period.
Accreditation
The program is currently granted continued Accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation for Dietetics Education of the American Dietetic Association (CADE).
Address:
Commission on Accreditation for Dietetics Education of the American Dietetic Association
120 S Riverside Plaza, Suite 2000
Chicago, IL 60606-6995
Telephone: (312) 899-0040 or (800) 877-1600
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