Pasco County Health Department Dietetic Internship

Florida Department of Health (DOH)

Achieving Excellence in Public Health Nutrition

The Dietetic Internship has been granted continued accreditation through 2017 by the Commission on Accreditation for Dietetics Education of the American Dietetic Association, 120 S. Riverside Plaza Suite 2000, Chicago, IL 60606-6995  (800) 877-1600 http://www.eatright.org

 GENERAL INFORMATION:

The Dietetic Internship Program is headquartered in the Community Health Promotion Division, Nutrition section of the Pasco County Health Department. Practice sites are located throughout Florida. Our focus is to provide students with valuable supervised practice experience within a professional setting. Exceptional preceptors and facilities have been selected to provide an outstanding Dietetic Internship experience, with a community nutrition emphasis.

The Dietetic Internship Program receives funding from the Florida Department of Health WIC and Nutrition Services Program and the Pasco County Health Department.  Additional information about Florida WIC and Nutrition is available at: http://doh.state.fl.us/family/wic .

The Pasco County Health Department Dietetic Internship begins at the end of August, and completion is anticipated to be in June of the following year for full time interns.  Part-time schedule may be available for interns with special needs, and the completion date will vary depending on the number of  hours scheduled each week.

Employees in the Florida WIC/Nutrition Program are eligible to apply during the pre-selection period beginning in December of the year prior to internship start.  Non-employees are eligible to apply through computer matching by D&D Digital Systems for any remaining open positions. Selected applicants will be required to attend an interview.

For employment opportunities in the Florida WIC /Nutrition program, check the People first web site: https://peoplefirst.myflorida.com/logon.htm.

Once accepted into the Internship, interns will be asked to sign a formal agreement, requiring a one year (employee) or two year (non-employee) Work Service obligation. Failure to complete this obligation will result in a significant monetary penalty. Application documents and a complete listing of program requirements can be found on the website: http://www.doh.state.fl.us/chdPasco/DI_Web/dihome.htm.

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS:

A.   Application Form is obtainable through the ADA Dietetic Educators of Practitioners practice group website located at: http://www.depdpg.org/ or use the link located on the Application Forms page of this Web site.

B.  Application Supplement for Course Work is obtainable through the link located on the Applications Forms page of this Web site.

C.  Official Verification of Completion of CADE/ADA approved academic requirements from an accredited college or university and a baccalaureate degree.

D.  Letter of Intent stating why the student applicant is interested in participating in the Internship.  Limited to one (1) page 12 font, Times New Roman, single spaced.

E.  Two (2) ADA Waiver and Recommendation Forms from current or former employers and/or instructors.

F.  Evidence of a GPA 3.0 or greater from an official sealed transcript (evidence of exceptional professional sciences course work may be taken into account if overall GPA is below 3.0).

G.  A $50 non-refundable application processing fee.  Make check payable to:  Pasco County Health Department.

H.  Eligibility statement is required from the sponsoring agency Nutrition Program Director/WIC Coordinator and Health Director. This requirement is applicable only for current Florida State WIC employees.

The deadline for the submission of a complete Internship application must be postmarked December 15 prior to the desired internship year. Selected candidates will participate in a required interview.  Final selection for the Internship will be determined in January. The Internship will begin in the fall.

CURRICULUM AND PROGRAM COMPLETION REQUIREMENTS:

Program completion requirements include:

1.   Completion of a minimum of 1,368 program hours as specified.

2.   Completion of all scheduled Supervised Practice Rotations with an Evaluation rating of 3.

3.   Successful completion of all assignments, presentations and projects.

4.   Successful completion of all three Didactic Weeks and passing the exams with a minimum grade of 80.

5.   Attendance at all Dietetic Internship meetings.

An Official Verification of Completion will be provided by the program director after all requirements for program completion have been verified.

Interns will be assigned to one of the five internship County sites located in Escambia, Miami-Dade, Duval, Palm Beach,  or Pasco.

Note:  Selection of regional site is not a guarantee of placement.  Placement is at the discretion of the Program Director based on regional availability.

 ESTIMATED COST TO INTERNS:

 Initial financial considerations:

Pasco County Health Department assures each applicant an equal opportunity without regard to age, race, color, sex, religious creed, national origin, political opinions or affiliations, marital status or disability.