Dietetics

Medical Nutrition Therapy
In clinical dietetics, interns will learn disease process and lifestyle change in relation to the diet. Interns will acquire this knowledge in a fast-paced medical environment keeping them well informed of the latest medical practices. The intern will progress through various clinical rotations requiring basic nutritional care such as cardiology, to very advanced nutritional care units including renal and enteral nutrition. Concentration in specialized nutrition care units offer the intern a unique experience of exposure to both general clinical dietetics and specialized dietetics.

The intern will learn how to accurately assess a patient's nutritional status through data collection, patient interviews, consultation with members of the health care team and completion and follow-up on nutritional care plans. Dietetic interns will also counsel patients and teach nutrition education classes.

The clinical rotations end with Staff Relief in which the intern will assume total responsibility as the R.D.

Clinical Rotation Emphasis
Diabetes Mellitus Unit
Maternal/Infant Unit
Pediatric Unit
Coronary Unit
Renal Unit
Gastrointestinal Unit
Surgical Unit
Oncology Unit
Enteral Unit
Parenteral Nutrition Unit
Staff Relief

Optional Units
Special Practice Units in your area of interest

Administrative Dietetics
Interns will further their knowledge and managerial skills in food production, food distribution and cafeteria operations as well as enhance food marketing skills as they progress through the food service management rotations. Management aspects of dietetics are strengthened by experience in finance and menu management units.

Ingalls provides the opportunity to manage a large diverse food service operation, employing over 80 food service workers serving patients and employees, including catering functions.

Food Service Management Emphasis includes:

• Food Service Orientation
• Food Service Management
• Guest Service Management
• Finance
• Marketing
• Personnel Management
• Education
• Staff Relief

Community Dietetics
In community dietetics, interns will be given the opportunity to observe the role of the dietitian in various community settings. Interns will learn effective techniques for community nutrition education and will use these techniques to plan educational classes for different organizational groups within the community. Examples of opportunities include W.I.C., Headstart and school lunch.