Mayo School of Health Sciences

www.mayo.edu

Dietetics Internship Jacksonville, Florida

Dietetics Internship

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

Mayo School of Health Sciences (MSHS) offers a six-month DieteticsInternship at Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Fla., providingcomprehensive clinical knowledge and skills that enable practitionersto provide complete nutrition services.

The program prepares you with the skills and competencies necessaryto practice as an entry-level generalist dietitian and to determine yourniche within the broad field of dietetics.

ACCREDITATION

The Dietetics Internship offered by Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville isaccredited by the Commission on Accreditation for DieteticsEducation of The American Dietetic Association.

American Dietetic Association216 W. Jackson Blvd.Chicago, IL 60606-6995(312) 899-4876www.eatright.org

Mayo Foundation is also accredited by the North Central Associationof Colleges and Schools Higher Learning Commission.

Higher Learning Commission30 N. LaSalle Street, Suite 2400Chicago, IL 60602-2504(800) 621-7440(312) 263-0456Fax: (312) 263-7462www.ncacihe.org

FACILITIES

The education site for this internship is St. Luke’s Hospital inJacksonville, Fla., part of Mayo Clinic. St. Luke’s Hospital is a modern289-bed facility with 19 surgical suites; an ICU; a bone marrowtransplant unit; kidney, heart, liver, lung and pancreas transplantprograms; an epilepsy unit; two cardiac catheterization laboratories;and a stereotactic neurosurgery suite.

More than 14,000 patients are admitted to St. Luke’s each year. Theemergency room treats nearly 34,000 patients per year. The currentfacility was completed in 1985, but St. Luke’s Hospital is the oldesthospital in Florida. This hospital has been a Mayo Clinic facility since1987.

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GRADUATION AND CERTIFICATION

Upon successful completion of the Dietetics Internship, you willreceive a Certificate of Completion from Mayo School of HealthSciences.

Graduates are eligible to take the professional registration examinationgiven by the American Dietetic Association.

HOURS

For the majority of the internship, your learning schedule will includeMonday through Friday with occasional weekends. Hours will varywith rotation.

CLASS SIZE

Each year, Mayo School of Health Sciences admits nine students to itsDietetics Internship Program at Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville. Thisensures you will receive close one-on-one instruction and acomprehensive educational experience.

Curriculum

The Mayo School of Health Sciences’ Dietetic Internship Programprepares individuals for professional practice in hospitals, clinics,public health agencies and food service management. During theprogram, learning experiences are provided to allow the intern to:

• Assess the nutritional status of patients with complex medicalconditions, and design and implement medical nutrition therapyplans.

• Manage normal nutritional needs of individuals across the life span.

• Integrate pathophysiology into medical nutrition therapyrecommendations.

• Provide and supervise nutrition education to patients for healthylifestyle changes.

• Participate in patient-care rounds, functioning as a member of amultidisciplinary health-care team.

• Supervise the production of food that meets specified criteria fornutrients, cost and patient acceptance.

• Supervise aspects of a continuous improvement program, whichincludes data collection and analysis, as well as system review anddevelopment.

• Assist in supervising the food service at catered events, in cafeteriasand inpatient service (traditional and room service).

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• Supervise the collection and processing of key financial andproductivity indicators, and use the information to monitor theprogress of a food service operation.

• Participate in managing human resources essential to food andnutrition service operation.

• Manage safety and sanitation issues related to food service.

• Develop, conduct, supervise and evaluate a community-basedprogram.

• Provide nutritional care in community-based settings.

ROTATIONS

This Dietetics Internship incorporates food service, clinical andcommunity experiences throughout north Florida. You will rotate toother facilities for experiences in:

• Inpatient/outpatient pediatrics

• Community and inner-city hospital

• Homeless shelter

• Food bank

• Women, Infants and Children (WIC) clinics

• Correctional facilities

• Senior services

• Rehabilitation hospital

• Long-term care facility

• Dialysis clinic

• Corporate wellness

Our interns also present nutrition programs to community audiences,thereby increasing their skills in public speaking and working withcommunity groups.

GRADING OR EVALUATION

Mayo School of Health Sciences uses evaluative tools that include:

• Written examination

• Demonstration of skills

• Self-assessment exercises

• Faculty reviews

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Our system of evaluation provides students and faculty with acomprehensive look at individual performance, allowing studentswho are experiencing academic difficulty to be directed to appropriatesupport resources, including tutoring programs and counselingopportunities.

Faculty

TEACHING FACULTY

The Mayo School of Health Sciences Dietetics Internship program iscoordinated and taught by the medical and dietetic staffs of St. Luke’sHospital, Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville and dietetic professionals in thecommunity. They are chosen for their commitment to teaching as wellas clinical practice and/or research. Many have published andlectured extensively and are highly regarded in their field.

VISITING PROFESSORS/LECTURERS

A hallmark of higher education excellence is the breadth and depth ofinformation and experience provided students by the faculty andvisiting experts. Many prominent professors visit Mayo Clinic tolecture on their areas of medical and scientific expertise each year.

As a student of Mayo School of Health Sciences, you are encouragedto attend all conferences, lectures and seminars prepared for students,residents, fellows and consulting staff.

Admissions

PREREQUISITES

To be eligible to apply for the Dietetics Internship Program inJacksonville, applicants must have:

• A bachelor’s or advanced degree from an accredited college oruniversity, with a major in nutrition and food science or dieteticswhich meets the Commission on Accreditation for Dietetics Educationapproved course work requirements established by the AmericanDietetic Association.

• A verification statement completed by the program director.

• A minimum GPA of 3.0 (4.0 scale).

Applicants are selected based on grades, work and volunteerexperiences, leadership qualities, and representation of personalqualities and skills in a personal letter.

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POLICIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The following Mayo School of Health Sciences policies affectapplications and admissions to its programs:

English fluency Fluency in written and spoken English is essential to succeed in theprogram and to ensure patient safety. If English is a second language,you must be able to demonstrate fluency. Satisfactory performance onthe Test of English as a Foreign Language examination or theMichigan Test of English Language Proficiency must be documentedas proof of fluency. Your test results must be less than two years old.

Immunization recordFor the protection of patients, students and employees, and incompliance with state regulations, Mayo Clinic requires students to beproperly immunized:

• Tuberculin test

• Varicella, rubella and rubeola immunity

• Hepatitis B vaccination, signed declination, or immunity lab test

Documentation of vaccinations must be provided to Mayo EmployeeHealth Service prior to the start of class.

Health statusProspective students will undergo a physical examination or nurse’sreview at Mayo Clinic and will have the opportunity to update orreceive the required tests and immunizations cited above. Moreinformation about the physical exam will be provided after you havebeen offered a program appointment. Appointment to the programdepends upon successful completion of the physical examination.

Medical insuranceStudents must have their own health insurance. Evidence of medicalcoverage must be provided when your educational program begins.

Background checkProspective students must pass a criminal background check and/ordrug screening required by state laws, prior to enrollment to MayoSchool of Health Sciences.

Student responsibilitiesMayo School of Health Sciences students are expected to attend allscheduled classes, examinations and assigned clinical rotations unlessabsence is approved.

Students are required to exhibit professional and ethical conduct at alltimes.

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Technical StandardsMayo School of Health Sciences accepts students who are highlyqualified for its programs. To be considered for admittance youshould exhibit strong qualifications for the health profession you wishto pursue. Applicants to programs must possess the following generalqualities:

• Critical thinking skills

• Sound judgment

• Emotional stability and maturity

• Empathy for others

• Physical and mental stamina

• Ability to learn and function in a variety of settings

You must be able to perform the essential functions of the professionand meet the standards of the curriculum. Students seeking exceptionsto these standards or reasonable accommodations should initiate theirrequest with the program’s director.

Application Process

POSITIONS

Nine candidates are selected each year for the Dietetics InternshipProgram at Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville on a competitive basis. Theinternships begin in January, April and July.

APPLY

• To apply to the program, please submit:

1. A completed American Dietetic Association application form.

2. An official transcript of all colleges and/or university credits.

3. A signed Declaration of Intent to Complete Degree andAcademic Requirements (Verification Statement for graduates).

4. Three letters of recommendation from professional or academicreferences.

5. One page typed (10 pt. font or larger) biography, includingprofessional interests and career goals.

6. A nonrefundable $25 application fee.

• Mayo School of Health Sciences Dietetic Internship Programparticipates in the American Dietetic Association computer matchingprocess to select interns. The association contracts with D&D Digital

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Systems to facilitate computer matching. Prospective interns mustregister with D&D Digital Systems to compete in the dieteticinternship matching process.

• D&D Digital Systems must receive your registration by theirSeptember deadline to compete in the November match to begin theprogram in January or April.

• D&D Digital Systems Applications must receive your registration bytheir February deadline to compete in the April match to begin theprogram in July.

• The company may be contacted at:

D&D Digital Systems304 Main Street Suite 301Ames, IA 50010(515) 292-0490www.dnddigital.com/ada

• Send your completed American Dietetic Association application formand supporting documentation to:

Dietetic Internship ProgramNutrition ServicesSt. Luke’s Hospital4201 Belfort RoadJacksonville, FL 32216

• A selection committee carefully reviews each application. Individualsconsidered for an appointment complete a telephone interview.

• Following the matching process, appointment letters are mailed fromD&D Digital Systems.

• Interns selected must contact the program director in writing to acceptthe appointment within five days.

• Mayo School of Health Sciences upholds all federal and state laws thatpreclude discrimination on the basis of race, sex, age, religion, nationalorigin, marital status, sexual orientation, disabilities or veteran’sstatus.

• Mayo School of Health Sciences is committed to developing andmaintaining the very best education programs. Changes may be madeto the curriculum and other aspects of this program as necessary toassure the highest quality training.

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Tuition & Financial Aid

PROGRAM COSTS

A $25 nonrefundable application fee is due upon submission of theapplication documents. Tuition for Dietetic Internship Program inJacksonville is $2,400.

You also must purchase a professional liability insurance policy for$35 when you begin the program. Other expenses include lab jackets,books, program lapel pins, field trips and meetings. These costs aresubject to change.

It is necessary to have an insured vehicle at all times throughout theprogram. Jacksonville is geographically the largest city in the UnitedStates, 800 square miles. Rotations occur throughout the Jacksonvillearea and surrounding counties.

You are responsible for providing your living accommodations.

You may hold outside employment during the program, if it does notconflict with your program responsibilities.

FINANCIAL AID

Mayo School of Health Sciences offers financial incentives for studentsto participate in many of its health sciences training programs.Scholarships, grants and low-interest loans may be available for thosewho demonstrate financial need.

The Mayo Clinic Student Financial Aid Office can provide moredetails about the financial aid or incentives offered for the DieteticsInternship Program.

Dietetics Career Overview

FIELD DESCRIPTION

Dietitians promote health, prevent disease and shape the food choicesand dietary habits of patients and the public. They combine extensivescientific knowledge of food, nutrition, biochemistry, physiology andmanagement with the behavioral and social sciences to perform theirwork.

Dietitians work in clinical and community settings, performingnutrition screenings and assessing patients’ needs. They also providecounseling and regular follow-up to patients to reinforce behavioralchanges. Dietitians have a high level of contact with patients andinteract closely with physicians, residents, nurses and allied health-care staff.

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Dietitians also work in food service management, coordinating allaspects of food service in both hospital and industry settings withpeople of all ages, cultures and economic status. Those who enjoybeing with people and want to assist them in leading healthier liveswill find satisfaction in this field.

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

Dietitians are employed in health care, education, research, businessand industry and private practice settings.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment ofdietitians is expected to grow about as fast for the average for allprofessions through the year 2012. Employment in hospitals isexpected to show little change. Faster growth is anticipated in nursinghomes, residential care facilities and physician clinics.

Clinical dietitians are a vital part of the medical team in hospitals,nursing homes, health maintenance organizations and other health-care facilities. They work with doctors, nurses and therapists to helpspeed patients’ recovery and lay the groundwork for long-term health.Opportunities for advancement are available by specializing in aparticular area of nutrition, such as diabetes or pediatrics.

EARNING POTENTIAL

Based on the nationwide American Dietetic Association (ADA) 2002Dietetics Compensation and Benefits Salary Survey, the median salaryfor registered dietitians is $45,760.

Salary levels vary with geographical location, scope of responsibility,employment settings and supply of registered dietitians. Salary alsoincreases as experience increases and many registered dietitians,particularly those in management, business and consulting, earnincomes above $60,000.

PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS

Visit the following Web sites to learn more about dietetics:

• American Dietetic Association (www.eatright.org)

• International Confederation of Dietetics Associations(www.internationaldietetics.org)

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Program Contacts

For an application form or more information about the DieteticsInternship Program in Jacksonville, please contact:

Kate Ray, Enrollment and Student Services Director(507) 266-4077(800) 626-9041Fax: (507) 284-0656E-mail: mshsenrollment@mayo.edu

Mayo Clinic College of MedicineMayo School of Health SciencesSiebens Medical Education Building 1138200 First Street SWRochester MN 55905

or

Sherry Mahoney, Dietetics Internship Program Coordinator(904) 296-3733E-mail: mahoney.sherry@mayo.edu

Mayo Clinic College of MedicineMayo School of Health Sciences4500 San Pablo RoadJacksonville, FL 32224

You can also request more information on education programs offeredby Mayo School of Health Sciences.

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Notes

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Notes

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MINNESOTA•

•ARIZONA

FLORIDA•

MAYO CLINIC COLLEGE OF MEDICINE C A M PU SES

Rochester

Jacksonville

Scottsdale

4500 San Pablo RoadJacksonville, FL 32224

200 First Street SWRochester, MN 55905

13400 East Shea BoulevardScottsdale, AZ 85259

www.mayo.edu

© 2004, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). All rights reserved.MAYO, MAYO CLINIC, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and the triple-shield Mayo logo are trademarks and service marks of MFMER

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