Program overview
The GMC Dietetic Internship Program is a 41-week, post-baccalaureate program which opened in 1992. The dietetic internship is currently granted accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation for Dietetics Education (CADE) of the American Dietetic Association, 120 S. Riverside Plaza, Suite 2000, Chicago, IL 60606-6995, 800-877-1600 ext 5400.
The program underwent a site visit in March 2006 and was notified regarding CADE's continued accreditation decision in October 2006. Our accreditation is through the year 2016. The program prepares up to five interns to assume entry level positions in the field of dietetics, i.e., clinical, food service and community.
To be eligible to apply to the Geisinger Dietetic Internship, applicants need to meet the following criteria:
- Minimum of a Bachelor’s degree at a US regionally accredited university or college, and course work approved by the Commission on Accreditation for Dietetics Education of the American Dietetic Association
- Verification Statements from a CADE-approved Didactic Program in Dietetics
- Participation in the April D&D Digital Systems computer matching program.
This internship has a Medical Dietetics emphasis. In addition to the Competencies/Learning Outcomes for Dietitians the following competencies are emphasized:
- Integrate pathophysiology into MNT recommendations.
- Perform the Nutrition Care Process for patients with complex medical conditions.
- Select, monitor and evaluate complex enteral nutrition regimens.
- Demonstrate proficiency in using the electronic medical record to collect data and document following established professional guidelines.
Practice hours are divided into the following categories: approximately 50% clinical nutrition, 30% food service, 10% community nutrition, and self-appointed electives and enrichment studies based upon intern's own interest.
Note: Granting credit for prior learning and work experience is not offered in this internship.
To ensure the quality of practitioners entering the field, all Geisinger dietetic internship graduates are required to maintain a specified level of performance. Performance should reflect gradual mastery of the knowledge, skills, and attitudes outlined in the rotation competencies, i.e., on evaluations, more criteria marked as performing at entry-level competence.
To graduate from the internship, interns must receive a satisfactory rating in or “pass” each rotation and project and have paid all fees.
Graduation from the program entitles each intern to receive statement of verification and eligibility to sit for the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) exam for dietitians. The 5-year pass rate of GMC's dietetic intern graduates on the CDR exam is 100%. This percentage is based on first-time test takers and surpasses the CADE-required pass rate of 80% for first-time test takers.
