Dietetic Internship Program

VA Caribbean Healthcare System (San Juan)

Application Procedure  

San Juan Program Intro Program Information Program Rotations Program Mission & Goals Financial Information Application Information Life in San Juan VA Caribbean HCS Web Site

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*Attention* The application process to the VA Caribbean Healthcare System Dietetic Internship Programs changed in August 2024. The new process by program track is explained below. For more information about the process access to ACEND Information to Applicants here. 

Application Requirements and Selection Process

• A maximum of eight interns are appointed annually.
• Applicants must have graduated from an accredited college or university with a curriculum meeting the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics' D.P.D. academic requirements.
• Must have completed an accredited Didactic Program in Dietetics (D.P.D.) and obtained or be in the final process to obtain an official Verification Statement of Completion. (Include your Verification Statement or Declaration of Intent on DICAS).
• Applicants must have earned a minimum 3.2 GPA in overall and nutrition-specific courses at D.P.D. to be eligible.
• Must be a citizen of the U.S.A.* Appointed under the authority of 38 U.S.C. 4114(a)(1)(A).
• The candidate must have fluency in both written and spoken Spanish and English.
• There is no application fee for our program.
• Recruitments and selection practices are non-discriminatory based on race, color, national origin, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation, and pregnancy), religion, disability, political affiliation, marital and parental status, military service or another non-merit factor, or age (Title VI and VII of the Civil Rights Acts of 1964). 

Application Process

1. You must use the Dietetics Inclusive Centralized Application Service (DICAS) to apply to our dietetic programs. This online portal, managed by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, manages dietetic program applications. Our program's application window is open from November to January 15th. To use DICAS, you must pay a fee of $50 for the first application and $25 for each additional application.
2. On the DICAS application, the applicant should specify the type of program applying:

1. DI/Only Track: This option is designed for students who have completed a DPD program or are in the process of finishing it before the DIP and for students 1) with a master's degree or are in the process of finishing it before the DIP, OR 2) are enrolled in a master's degree program and have completed most of the graduate degree courses before starting the DIP in August. They need to provide evidence of completion or status of the master's degree through an official transcript.
2. DI/Master Program Track: This option is designed for students who have completed a DPD program or will complete it before August but have not yet obtained a master's degree. We offer this option in collaboration with Cedar Crest College's five online programs. Applicants applying in the DI/Master Program Track should specify which master program they want to enroll in and authorize the DIP Director to share their DICAS application with the CCC's School of Graduate Education and the program director of the master's program chosen. There are five master program online options: 

•  When applying on DICAS, applicants must submit additional documents along with the standard application forms (e.g., resume, complete application).

Selection Process 

• Applicants who meet the minimum selection criteria will be invited to a virtual interview with the Director of the DIP and the Nutrition and Food Service Staff (presential interview is also available if needed). After the interview, applicants will be required to complete a written section consisting of open-ended questions.
• Each section of the application, including the interview process, will be assigned a score as part of our comprehensive review. We are committed to a holistic review that values all candidates' diverse backgrounds, unique attributes, and experiences in addition to their academic metrics.
• Our selection process is designed to ensure equal opportunities for all applicants, recognizing the importance of inclusivity and diversity in shaping our program.

Appointment Procedure

• The DIP Director or their designee will email the notification letter on or before March 1st. Please ensure that you add multiple email addresses to your DICAS application.
• This letter will indicate if the applicant has been accepted, waitlisted, or rejected. Waitlisted applicants will receive a decision letter on or before March 16th.
• The applicants have until March 15th to accept or reject the offer. They can send their decision as soon as they receive an offer, but they have until March 15th to submit their answer to the program.
• Applicants should contact Roxana Torres, the Dietetic Internship Program Director, by email (roxana.torres-cruz@va.gov) or phone (787-641-7582 ext 110333) before 4:00 pm AST to accept or reject the offer.
• It is important to understand that once an applicant agrees to join our program, they must commit to their decision with ethical and professional conduct. Please refer to the ACEND’s Dietetics Applicant and Program Code of Conduct and Traffic Rules (Access Pilot 2024-2025). NOTE: The program is not obligated to hold the opening for any applicant who does not accept the appointment by the required date/time.
• Accepted into the DI/Master Program Track- CCC School of Graduate Education and the program director of the master program will evaluate your application, and based on their and our criteria, they may send an invitation to enroll in their program. Acceptance into the master program does not guarantee acceptance to the DIP/Master Program Track. Acceptance to the DI/Master Program Track is a separate process.

1. The DIP director will notify the CCC School of Graduate Education and the program director of the master program selected about the acceptance of the student into the program.
2. The students accepted in this program will receive communication from CCC to initiate the process of admission. Evidence of master program enrollment is required.

• Applicants accepted into the DI only program track will receive additional information about the onboarding process.
• Accepted interns must be physically and mentally able to perform the responsibilities of a dietetic intern safely and efficiently.
• Before beginning the DIP, all accepted interns must undergo background checks and physical examinations at a Department of Veterans Affairs facility.
• As part of the Federal Government's paperwork and appointment process, the following is required at no cost to the intern:

1. Background check
2. TB testing
3. Hepatitis A and/or B vaccination
4. Random drug screening may also be done
5. Immunization records for MMR, Tdap, chickenpox, Flu and COVID-19 vaccines are required.

• Males must have registered for Selective Service or be exempt from admission into the program. Males will be required to verify status through Selective Service Online Registration Search (link).
• An orientation meeting will be done during April to discuss all things related to the onboarding process.
• Students applying for this internship and having DPD Verification Statements of 5 years or older must complete at least 2 academic courses to update their preparation for this program. One course must cover the principles of medical nutrition therapy in the treatment of disease states, and the other must cover the principles of management in food service system operations.
• For any question and more information about our program, you can contact the Program Director at:

• In most states, graduates also must obtain licensure or certification to practice. For more information about state licensure requirements click here.
• For more information about educational pathways to become a RDN click here.

*Links above will take you outside of the Department of Veterans Affairs Website. VA does not endorse and is not responsible for the content of the linked websites.

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