Iowa State University
College of Human Sciences and College of Agriculture College of Human Sciences College of Agriculture



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Additional Nationwide Option Information

Information Specific to the Preceptor

 

Those applying for the Nationwide Option of the program must complete the following in addition to the previously noted application materials:

    • Completed rotation schedule with preceptors and facilities listed
    • Preceptor application forms (includes form, resume and copy of CDR card)
    • Facility application forms
    • Primary and secondary contact information

This information is required to be submitted with your application for the following reasons:

    • The time frame between the “match/acceptance date” and the program start date is too short for you to adequately identify and select preceptors.
    • The application reviewers must be assured that you have professionals in your area who are willing to participate with you and this program.

In order for the intern enrolled in the Nationwide option, s/he must identify appropriate contact persons, preceptors, and facilities that will provide opportunities to complete the supervised practice component of the internship. The program has identified learning outcomes, assignments, and readings that the intern completes to ensure that all competencies and requirements are met.

The “primary and secondary contact persons” are Registered Dietitians who may assist in identifying and contacting professionals and facilities in your area to complete the required supervised practice components of the internship.  The contact persons will also serve as a connection and provide communication as needed between the intern, the preceptors, and the ISU faculty. The contact persons may also serve as preceptors for the intern but this is not required.  Both contact persons must fill out and submit the required documentation   The requirements are discussed below.

A “preceptor” is an expert or specialist, such as a Registered Dietitian, who provides practical experience and training to a dietetic intern. As you select your preceptors, it is suggested that you have at least 2 RD preceptors in the Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT) rotation and at least one RD preceptor in the Community Nutrition (CO) rotation.  While it is preferable to have at least one RD preceptor in the Management (FSM) rotation this may not be feasible.  If there is not a RD in the FSM rotation, you should select an appropriate professional in the area such as the department director or the program coordinator.  As noted in the definition above, the preceptor is an expert or specialist.  You may have as few as 4 different preceptors and as many as 20 or more different preceptors.  Each preceptor must fill out and submit the required documentation in order for you to be considered a candidate for the internship.  The requirements are discussed below.

The precepting facility is an organization or business that provides the opportunity for the intern to complete the required supervised practice.  This facility may be a hospital, a public health agency, a university dining center, or a long-term care facility.  Each facility must have the required documentation completed in order for you to be considered a candidate for the internship.  The requirements are discussed below.  The preceptor or contact you have identified for the facility is the person from whom you request the completion of the facility form.

Affiliation agreements will be completed between Iowa State University legal counsel and the precepting facility after the intern has been matched to the program.  Occasionally some facilities prefer to use their own version of an agreement, in that case the legal counsel of ISU and the facility will work together to reach agreement.  The affiliation agreement is the completed facility form.  The ISU affiliation agreement is located here:   Iowa State University Affiliation Agreement

Selecting Preceptors and practice sites:

Contact professionals in your area who may have opportunities for you to complete the required supervised practice experience.  See "things to keep in mind" as you identify preceptors and practices sites. See “Examples of Supervised Practice Sites “ for contact ideas.  If the professional you ask declines this opportunity to participate in dietetics education, remember to ask for additional contact suggestions.  Be sure to share information about the rotation schedule, assignments, and evaluations, see program requirements page.  Other program information for prospective preceptors includes:

Scheduling internship experiences:

The rotation schedules for the internship classes are located below.  Please note that your plans must follow the schedule as closely as possible because interns complete group projects together and must be completing the same rotations at the same time. The program has identified learning outcomes, assignments, and readings that the intern completes to ensure that all competencies and requirements are met.

Information Specific to the Preceptor

Preceptor's Application Process & Forms

As an internship preceptor, your involvement during the application process is critical to the intern's success in being selected for the internship. Your assistance is needed in suggesting local facilities and other preceptors that will provide the intern with the required experiences in medical nutrition therapy, food service and community nutrition. Please review "Dear Prospective Preceptor Letter" and "Preceptor Handbook." The experiences are planned according to a "Rotation Schedule" (all found above). An applicant's preceptor application and facility information forms must show where the intern will accomplish all required experiences and who will be precepting those experiences.

    • Due Date for November match - September 25, 2008
    • Due Date for April match - February 17, 2009

Forms must be completed by all facilities and by each preceptor providing experiences for the intern and included in the applicant’s program application packet.

As part of the selection process, potential preceptors may be contacted by the Internship Director to further clarify information contained in the application.

NOTE: All internship appointments are tentative until the Iowa State University Affiliation Agreements are completed and signed by the facility and the College after the intern applicant is selected to the internship.

Additional Preceptor Forms

Program Information for Preceptors

Evaluation Forms

The evaluation forms used throughout the internship to assess the intern’s progress and skill development.

Food Science and Human Nutrition