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Dietetic Internship Program

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VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System

Rotations

Following are the planned supervised practice rotations that must be completed by all interns enrolled in the VAGLAHS Dietetic Internship Program. Rotations are subject to change based on ACEND and VHA requirements, and the needs of VAGLAHS. Of note, the program does not evaluate and award credit for prior learning experiences; interns will complete all supervised practice hours regardless of past experience.

Interns are not required to find their own rotation sites. Though most rotations are in-person, telework and distance-education will be used during some parts of the program. VAGLAHS provides laptops for distance education components, however interns must provide their own internet service when working off-site.

Planned Supervised Practice for VAGLAHS Dietetic Internship
Rotation Length Practice Hours
 Orientation 2 weeks n/a
 Administrative Dietetics
  Administrative 1: Food Production, Service, & Supervision 6 weeks 192 hours
  Administrative 2: Clinical Supervision 2 weeks 64 hours
 Inpatient Clinical Dietetics
  Clinical 1: General Acute Medicine 3 weeks 96 hours
  Clinical 2: General Acute Medicine 3 weeks 96 hours
  Clinical Capstone 2 weeks 64 hours
  Critical Care 2 weeks 64 hours
  Community Living Center (long-term care) 2 weeks 64 hours
 Outpatient Clinical Dietetics
  Ambulatory Care 1: Primary Care 3 weeks 96 hours
  Ambulatory Care 2: Specialty Care 3 weeks 96 hours
  Ambulatory Care Capstone 2 weeks 64 hours
  Renal  2 weeks 64 hours
 Community Dietetics  
  National Nutrition Month 1 week 32 hours
  Eating Disorders 1 week 32 hours
  PHFE WIC 1 week 32 hours
 Special Interest 2 weeks* 64 hours
 Total Weeks/Practice Hours: 37 weeks 1120 hours
*Interns in the Combined MPH program track must select special interest rotations in the area of public health.  Their special interest experience will be completed by working 10 hours per week (100 hours total) during the Fall quarter of the second year in conjunction with MPH faculty projects. 

Schedule of Intern Learning Experiences 

Supervised practice starts in June and is completed in April/May (non-degree track) or June (combined masters track) of the following year.

Interns do not get paid during program breaks unless they have accrued annual leave.  Interns in all tracks will have a 2-week program break at the end of the calendar year. Non-degree track interns have an additional 16 days of floating breaks based on scheduling needs.

Combined - MPH Track Schedule
September-June: UCLA - 3 quarters (first year at university only, interns do not receive stipend)
June-September: Internship rotations
September-December: UCLA - 1 quarter coordinated with 100 hours of special interest* and Comprehensive Exam**
January-June: Internship rotations

Combined - MS Optional Track Schedule
 August-May: Fall and Spring Semesters (first year at university only, interns do not receive stipend)
 June-September: Summer Session (CSULB), beginning of Fall Semester + Internship rotations
 September-December: Fall Semester (directed research) coordinated with 4 weeks of internship rotations*
 January-June: Spring Semester (thesis/directed project) + Internship rotations
 Post-DI Graduation Summer and/or Fall terms to complete requirements for the MS degree
*During the Fall term of the second year, interns get paid only when completing supervised practice hours.
**Dietetic Interns in the combined MPH program track typically complete MPH requirements in 4 quarters and graduate in December at the end of the Fall quarter of the second year.

Program Completion Requirements

To successfully complete the VAGLAHS Dietetic Internship Program and be eligible to sit for the RD Examination, interns must: 

  • Complete all required supervised practice rotations, earning an overall rating of "Meets Expectations" or "Exceeds Expectations" on all final rotation evaluation
  • Complete at least 1000 hours of supervised practice
  • Successfully complete all required internship projects and assignments and be rated as entry-level competent for all associated ACEND competencies
  • Successfully complete a Master's degree program (as of December 31, 2023) by no later than 6 months after completion of supervised practice rotations
  • Provide the Dietetic Internship Director with official copies of their DPD and Master's degree transcripts and a DPD Verification Statement
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