Dietetic Internship 

Our Mission and philosophy

The Geisinger Medical Center Dietetic Internship utilizes the resources of our regional healthcare system in the areas of patient care, research, education and community service. This post-baccalaureate program prepares dietetic interns for entry-level positions as registered dietitians. Graduates of this program will positively contribute to the supply of registered dietitians.

The faculty believes:

  • Professional competence and productivity require self-motivation and initiative to continuously assess oneself and seek learning opportunities.
  • Interns are responsible for their own professional competence.
  • Learning opportunities are unlimited and the intern is expected to take advantage of these abundant opportunities for growth.
  • The curriculum is merely a starting point from which interns launch individualized plans for development.
  • Achieving professional competence is an ongoing process which continues throughout a career.
  • The faculty-intern relationship is a mutually respectful one in which both can learn and grow.
  • Professional development is facilitated by constructive criticism and respectful guidance.
  • Just as professional development is an ongoing process, the development of this internship is never complete. Intern, faculty and advisor input is actively sought, encouraged, and used in continuous quality improvement.

The following graduate and program outcome measures and short- and long-term plans assess the full intent of the dietetic internship mission and goals:

Internship goals

The dietetic internship will prepare graduates to be competent entry-level dietitians.

Outcome measureCurrent result
On the graduate surveys, of the respondents who rated the entry level skill, the rating of the skill will meet or exceed 85% of moderate or high ratings over a 5 year period.98%
On the employer surveys, of the respondents who rated the entry level skills, the average rating of the skill will meet or exceed an average of 3 on a 4 point scale over a 5 year period.3.5


The program will positively influence the supply of registered dietitians over a five-year period.

Outcome measureCurrent result
90% of interns enrolled in the program will complete all program requirements within 150% of the time planned for completion (61.5 weeks).100%
Over a five-year period, the pass rate for graduates taking the registration examination for the first time will be at least 80%.100%
Over a five-year period, 70% or more of graduates who sought employment in dietetics will be employed within three months of program completion.100%

 

Internship short-term plans

  1. Evaluate use of revised employer survey that reflects 2008 Standards of Professional Performance.
  2. Evaluate use of revised post-graduate dietetic intern survey that reflects 2008 competencies.
  3. Monitor student learning outcomes data and constituent evaluations; revise learning activities based on data and evaluation feedback.
  4. Implement use of Dietetic Internship Centralized Application System for spring match.
  5. Obtain feedback from advisory committee for curriculum updates and maintain contact with committee members throughout the year - ongoing.

Internship long-term plans

  1. Revisit program mission, goals and concentration area with advisory board annually.
  2. Develop formal preceptor training programs.
  3. Prepare for 2016 ACEND Site Review.