Dietetic Internship Preceptor Orientation

Intern Evaluation and Feedback Process

To ensure that all interns have comparable experiences when at different practicum site placements, the following plan has been developed:

1. The Dietetic Internship Program Director and/or Clinical Coordinator will meet with all new preceptors to review DI program materials, including the competencies, learning outcomes, and activities related to the specific practicum.
2. For each practicum, there will be designated assignments completed by all interns, regardless of site placement, to assess student learning outcome achievement.
3. Dietetic Interns will submit weekly logs throughout each practicum identifying the competencies they met, activities they observed, and activities they performed.
4. A living document (e.g., Google document, etc.) will be maintained for each practicum and updated weekly to reflect the completed competencies and activities for each intern. This document will be reviewed weekly by the instructor of record for the practicum course, allowing for assessment of comparability of intern experiences.
5. Mid-point evaluations will be incorporated into each practicum and will be completed by both preceptors and interns. Evaluations will provide additional insight into intern achievement of learning outcomes and comparability of experiences between practicum sites.
6. If, based on assessment of weekly logs and mid-point evaluations, it is determined that an intern’s educational experiences are not comparable at a specific site, the DI Program Director and/or Clinical Coordinator will contact the lead preceptor for the site to discuss concerns and to develop a plan to provide interns with the necessary learning experiences. The DI Program Director and/or Clinical Coordinator will follow-up weekly with the intern/preceptor to assess follow-through with the established plan. If there continues to be deficiencies in the learning experiences, interns will be reassigned to a new site placement where comparable learning experiences can be provided.
7. Preceptors from each practicum will be invited and encouraged to provide feedback annually regarding practicum competencies and rotation activities via direct communication, participation in Advisory Board meetings, and/or completion of an anonymous Qualtrics survey.

Roles and Responsibilities of DI Preceptor

The preceptor is to teach the intern the skills and knowledge required to function as an entry-level dietitian or manager in the preceptor’s area of specialty.

• Orient the intern to the facilities, objectives, learning experiences and due dates.
• Review the schedule and competencies of the rotation with the intern.
• Complete orientation to unit checklist on the first day of the rotation with the Intern.
• Inform other employees of the dates when the Intern will be in his/her area.
• Meet with the Intern at least once each week to discuss projects/concerns.
• Correct, return, and review written projects within one week after receiving them from the intern.
• Complete appropriate Intern evaluation forms by the last day of the rotation. Any deviation from this rule must be pre-approved by the Internship Director.
• Provide immediate positive feedback and constructive criticism throughout the rotation to the intern.
• Give guidance throughout the rotation and especially with written projects to the intern.
• Act as a resource person when the intern has questions.
• Refer the intern to appropriate resources when needed.
• Be aware of internship policies and procedures.
• Enforce policies and procedures when needed.
• Discipline the intern as needed.
• Act as a mentor and function as a team player.
• Serve as a role model at all times.
• Empower Intern to an interdependent, but autonomous level of function.
• Review, in a timely manner, the intern’s progress with the Internship Director at the midpoint and end of the rotation.
• Provide constructive feedback on the Program Evaluation Form