Central Texas VA Medical Center
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Application Procedure for the Central Texas Veterans Health Care System Dietetic Internship Program
The Central Texas VA Dietetic Internship Program will accept 6 interns each year during spring match to start in August. The VA does not charge an application fee or tuition for the internship program.
Applicants must meet the following criteria for admission:
- Have a verification statement from a Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) or Foreign Dietitian Education program (FDE) and have earned at least a master’s degree granted by a U.S. accredited college/university or foreign equivalent
- Be a citizen of the United States of America. Proof of US Citizenship (valid passport or birth certificate) is required to be submitted as supplemental documents through the DICAS portal
- Males must have registered for selective service or be exempt to be eligible to apply to this program. If matched to our program, males will be required to provide verification of their status through Select Service Online Registration Search
To apply, interns must complete an online application using the online centralized internship application, DICAS. Please note, mailed applications are no longer accepted. The online application may be accessed at https://portal.dicas.org in December for spring match. DICAS may also be contacted via email at DICASinfo@DICAS.org for any questions or concerns. The online application must be completed by 11:59pm central time of the February 15, 2024 deadline date to participate in the spring match. The computer matching fee to use DICAS is $50 for the first application and an additional $25 per subsequent application.
The application will need to include the following:
- Personal statement (in 1,000 words or less) addressing:
- Reason you are specifically applying to the Central Texas Veterans Health Care System Dietetic Internship Program.
- What makes you a good match for our program?
- Why are you interested in pursuing a profession in the field of dietetics?
- What are your short-term and long-term professional goals?
- What are your strengths and how can these contribute to the program and profession?
- What professional areas do you feel as though you need improvement in?
- Official transcript(s) from all universities and colleges attended (must include graduate degree). Official transcripts should be sent to DICAS Transcript Dept. Please visit the DICAS website for complete instructions
- DPD Verification Statement
- Proof of completed Masters degree
- Three letters of recommendation uploaded to the DICAS website. References should include academic faculty and a work or supervisor reference. When completing the application, applicants must include the name and contact information (specifically e-mail address) for the three references. This will trigger an e-mail message requesting completion of a reference form. The form will be completed online by your reference.
- Submit a resume with complete work and volunteer history.
Note: If you are a Veteran, please select that option on the DICAS application under personal information.
No credit will be provided by the CTVHCS DI Program for prior learning.
Furthermore, there is no formal GPA requirement to apply to the CTVHCS Dietetic Internship Program however GPA, and specifically performance in dietetic related classes, will be reviewed and scored as part of the application review process.
Program Matching
The CTVHCS Dietetic Internship program will participate in the D&D match process. Program applicants must also participate in spring computer matching through D&D Digital Systems via www.dnddigital.com and select dietetic internship priority choices by the spring deadline. There is a $65 computer matching fee required by D&D Digital Systems.
Central Texas Veterans Health Care System DI Program D&D Match Code: 1060
Appointment Procedure
D&D Digital Systems will provide all applicants with their personal matching results via posting on the D&D Digital Systems web site at https://www.dnddigital.com/ on notification day. Appointees to the Central Texas Veterans Health Care System Dietetic Internship Program are to contact the Dietetic Internship Director by phone (254-743-1029) or by email (Autumn.Taylor1@va.gov) to accept or reject the appointment. Appointees must accept or reject the appointment by the deadline provided. The program is under no obligation to hold the opening for any applicant who does not accept the appointment by the required date/time.
Appointees must be physically and mentally able to safely and efficiently perform the responsibilities of a dietetic intern. Appointees will be subject to background checks with fingerprinting and will be given a physical examination at a Department of Veterans Affairs facility (at no cost to the trainee) prior to reporting for duty. Appointees must also submit immunization records required by all healthcare workers (Recommended Vaccines for Healthcare Workers - CDC) which includes the COVID-19 vaccination. Should the physical examination be unsatisfactory, the appointee not pass their background check, or failure to provide appropriate vaccination records, the trainee will not be accepted into the Dietetic Internship Program and no part of the expense involved in reporting or returning home can be borne by the federal government. The federal government does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, sex, national origin, age or disability. If, after beginning the internship it is found that the intern failed to provide honest and/or accurate information regarding their application, interview, etc. they may be dismissed from the program with no further pay or action.
At this time drug screening is not required. However, as a part of the internship program you may be required to complete rotations at affiliation sites which may include the need for drug testing. The program director will provide you with a list of specific requirements (drug screening, vaccinations, background checks, etc.) for each affiliate site as appropriate.
