Dietetic Internship Program
Come be apart of Tucson Medical Center's accredited dietetic internship program to learn clinical nutrition, food service, leadership management, community nutrition and quality improvement from our top-of-the-line dietitians.
Launch your nutrition career at TMC
Tucson Medical Center offers a 9-month dietetic internship with a clinical-nutrition concentration and a community-service focus. TMC, licensed at more than 600 beds, has been Tucson’s locally governed nonprofit regional hospital for more than 70 years. TMC is Southern Arizona’s leading provider for emergency care and pediatric care (including Tucson’s first Pediatric Emergency Department), with top-notch intensive care units for adults, children and newborns. Other specialty areas include women's, maternity, cardiac, orthopaedic, neuroscience, hospice, surgical and vascular services.We earned The Joint Commission's Gold Seal for Hospital Accreditation by demonstrating continuous compliance with the commission's performance standards. A key collaboration includes our membership in the Mayo Clinic Care Network.Under the supervision of registered dietitians, dietetic interns will experience clinical nutrition, food service, leadership management, community nutrition and quality improvement. Upon satisfactory completion of the internship, graduates are eligible to take the Registration Examination for Dietitians.
Dietetic Interns will complete the program by meeting the established competencies, successfully pass the Registration Exam, and enter the profession as competent practitioners committed to serving the public through the promotion of optimal nutrition, health, and well-being. Faculty and staff of the program will demonstrate a commitment to and derive personal and professional satisfaction from participation in the development of future dietetic professionals.
The program will help advance the nutrition profession by providing a high quality and rigorous clinical nutrition-focused training experience for eligible interns, and will produce highly competent, independent, entry-level registered dietitians with a commitment to continuous development, advocacy for the nutrition profession and commitment to the community.
“We are cognizant that students enter the dietetic internship with varying levels of knowledge, skills, and interest. Each intern learns at a different rate and espouses varied learning styles. The program must be designed to accommodate these individual differences within the boundaries of skills needed to demonstrate entry-level competence. Working and learning to apply knowledge in a small group and in a one-to-one setting will assist the intern to achieve competency as an entry-level dietetic practitioner. The intern should have the opportunity to work in numerous practice settings and to observe preceptors and mentors who demonstrate the highest standards of professional practice.”
Goal #1 – Prepare graduates who have met the entry-level performance requirements as defined by ACEND in order to become competent entry-level registered dietitians.Objectives:
- At least 80 percent of program interns complete program requirements within 13.5 months (150% of the program length).
- Of graduates who seek employment, 80 percent are employed in nutrition and dietetics or related fields within 12 months of graduation.
- 100 percent of program graduates take the CDR credentialing exam for dietitian nutritionists within 12 months of program completion.
- The program’s one-year pass rate (graduates who pass the registration exam within one year of first attempt) on the CDR credentialing exam for dietitian nutritionists is at least 80%.
- At least 80% of graduate employer respondents will agree or strongly agree that the graduates are effective entry-level dietitians.
- At least 80% of program graduates will agree or strongly agree that the internship prepared them to perform as an entry-level dietitian.
- At least 80 percent of employer respondents will agree/strongly agree that graduates are able to incorporate current research and scientific information into their daily clinical practice, i.e., medical nutrition therapy is justified by evidenced-based research.
TMC DI Program Application Fee: $60DICAS Application Fee: $50D&D Digital Matching Fee: $55TMC DI Program Fee: $9,950Textbooks (estimated): $600Uniform and lab coat (estimated): $70Student Professional Liability Insurance (estimated): $35Fingerprint Card (estimated): $65Rent (estimated): $750/monthTravel (estimated): $60/monthAND Student Member Fee: $50A meal stipend is provided. Interns are issued laptops and have access to the internet when on TMC property. For any distance classes, interns can use their TMC laptop and TMC internet without cost. Interns are responsible for all other costs. The Tucson Medical Center – DI Program does not qualify for federal student loans. Scholarship applications can be obtained from the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
Interns are responsible for providing their own transportation to all required events. It is highly recommended that each intern has access to personal transportation. Interns must have insurance coverage for traveling in vehicles other than their own. Interns must provide proof of health care liability insurance and must have medical insurance.
Effective Jan. 1, 2024, the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) will require a minimum of a master’s degree to be eligible to take the credentialing exam to become a registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN). In order to be approved for registration examination eligibility with a bachelor’s degree, an individual must meet all eligibility requirements and be submitted into CDR's Registration Eligibility Processing System before 12:00 midnight Central Time, Dec. 31, 2023. For more information about this requirement visit CDR's website: https://www.cdrnet.org/graduatedegree. In addition, CDR requires that individuals complete coursework and supervised practice in program(s) accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND). Graduates who successfully complete the ACEND-accredited dietic internship at Tucson Medical Center are eligible to take the CDR credentialing exam to become an RDN.In most states, graduates also must obtain licensure or certification to practice. For more information about state licensure requirements click here.For more information about educational pathways to become a RDN click here.
This program is using the online centralized internship application, DICAS, which may be accessed at https://portal.dicas.org in early December for the Spring Match.Email DICASinfo@Dicas.org. The online application must be completed for our program by 11:59 p.m. Central Time by the mid-February deadline set by ACEND.The fee to use DICAS is $50 for the first application submitted and $25 for each additional application.Official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended should be sent to: DICAS - Transcript Dept., PO Box 9118, Watertown, MA 02472.As part of the DICAS application process you will be asked to complete a personal statement in 1,000 words or less. Please address the following questions in your personal statement or attach a supplemental sheet if needed:
Tucson Medical Center
Dietetic Internship/Beth Dorsey MA, RD
Food and Nutrition Services
5301 E Grant Road
Tucson AZ 85712TMC Health complies with all federal and state laws, including the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), as amended (ADAAA), and the Arizona Civil Rights Act, concerning applicants for and the employment of persons with disabilities, and acts in accordance with regulations and guidance issued by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). It is TMC Health's policy not to discriminate against qualified individuals with disabilities in any manner including with regard to application procedures, hiring, advancement, discharge, compensation, training or other terms, conditions and privileges of employment. In all cases, where a reasonable accommodation for a disability is requested, TMC Health will engage in an interactive process to determine whether an accommodation can be extended or would cause an undue hardship on TMC Health.
- Why do you want to enter the dietetics profession?
- Discuss experiences that have helped to prepare you for your career.
- State your professional goals and reasons for application to the TMC DI program.
- Describe your strengths that will help you succeed in the TMC DI program and in reaching your professional goals.
Tucson Medical Center
Dietetic Internship/Beth Dorsey MA, RD
Food and Nutrition Services
5301 E Grant Road
Tucson AZ 85712TMC Health complies with all federal and state laws, including the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), as amended (ADAAA), and the Arizona Civil Rights Act, concerning applicants for and the employment of persons with disabilities, and acts in accordance with regulations and guidance issued by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). It is TMC Health's policy not to discriminate against qualified individuals with disabilities in any manner including with regard to application procedures, hiring, advancement, discharge, compensation, training or other terms, conditions and privileges of employment. In all cases, where a reasonable accommodation for a disability is requested, TMC Health will engage in an interactive process to determine whether an accommodation can be extended or would cause an undue hardship on TMC Health.
- A signed “Verification Statement of Completion” showing completion of the Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) curriculum with original signature from DPD director must be provided before the internship begins.
- A final transcript with completed bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution must be provided before the internship begins.
- A graduate degree is required OR can be in progress with a graduation date planned for spring or summer of the following year. (If applying in the spring 2024 match, degree should be completed by summer 2025.)
The selection committee uses the following criteria when reviewing applications:
- Graduate degree compeleted or in process with graduation date planned for following spring or summer.
- Academics
- Work/Volunteer Experience: Clinical food and nutrition experience preferred
- College and Work References
- Personal Statement Essays
- Phone or In-Person Interview
- Equal Opportunity/Nondiscrimination
Tucson Medical Center is fully accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics.ACEND® can be contacted by:
- Email: ACEND@eatright.org
- Phone: 1-800-877-1600, ext. 5400
- Mail: 120 S RIVERSIDE PLAZA #2190 CHICAGO IL 60606-6995
The Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) establishes requirements for eligibility to take the entry-level registration examination for dietitians. Current requirements include academic preparation (minimum of a bachelor's degree; completion of an ACEND-accredited didactic program in dietetics), completion of an ACEND-accredited supervised practice program and confirmation of academic and practice requirements by verification. Verification of academic and didactic requirements is necessary for entry in the TMC Dietetic Internship. Completion of the internship allows the student to meet the second requirement of CDR (completion of an ACEND-accredited supervised practice program).Graduates of the internship are eligible to take the registration exam for dietitians once successful completion of the program is reached. Attainment of the RD credential also establishes eligibility for certification and/or licensure at the state level.Internship program completion includes:
- Completion of the scheduled 33 weeks of supervised practice/class presentations.
- Beginning each rotation/phase fully prepared and satisfactorily complete the requirements for each rotation/phase by demonstrating competence in all 2022 Core Competencies as defined by the ACEND, in addition to the program concentration competencies. Minimum rating of 3 “meets expectations for Entry-Level Performance” for all performance evaluations and assignments.
- Complete all assignments and projects by established deadlines.
Maximum Dietetic Intern Positions *: 4Average number of applicants (2023): 10Preferred Minimum GPA: 3.0Average Overall GPA of TMC Dietetic Interns: 3.495-year first-timer passing rate for RD Exam (Minimum 80% Goal): 90%
Interns are scheduled for a minimum 40-hour week. Work hours vary and are determined by the preceptor to whom the intern is assigned. Additional time outside of scheduled hours is required to complete assignments, readings and projects. Outside employment is not recommended. Interns are scheduled to work some holidays and weekends. Some sick leave is excused, however, excessive absence must be made up to meet ACEND requirements. Interns receive two weeks of vacation, and holidays are given in accordance with hospital policy.
The Inpatient Clinical Nutrition Rotation is designed to provide a logical progression of clinical competency skill sets to facilitate novice- to entry-level practice.Phase 1 – Low Nutritional Risk/Acuity
- Cardiac
- Diabetes
- Oncology
- Neurology
- COPD
- Orthopedics
- Wounds
- Womens’ care/pregnancy
- Enteral/Parenteral
- Liver
- Renal
- GI
- Surgery (ERAS, general, bariatrics, ostomies)
- Critical Care (Nutrition support)
- Pediatrics
- PICU/NICU
- This may include intern’s selection of a focus area if deemed appropriate by preceptors.
The community experiences expose the intern to a variety of roles for the registered dietitian and allow the intern to apply clinical skills in public health/community settings.Rotations include:
- Long-Term Care
- WIC
- Outpatient Dialysis
- Eating Disorders
- Outpatient Nutrition Counseling - Medical Nutrition Therapy & Diabetes Self-Management Training
- TUSD School Food Service
- VA Home-based Primary Care & Wound Care
- General Food Services Management
- Clinical Nutrition Management and Department Directorship
The quality improvement project allows the interns to complete a meaningful group project to submit for publication if applicable. Examples of past projects include Malnutrition Interventions, Nutrition-Focused Physical Exam Reliability Among Dieticians, and Gastric Residual Volume Process Changes
