OSU Dietetic Internship Alumni Survey
The American Dietetic Association has identified knowledge and skills required for entry-level dieticians. Accredited supervised practice programs, such as dietetic internships, are designed to provide supervised practice to enable interns to meet entry-level position requirements. Even if you are not currently practicing as a Registered Dietician your answers are still applicable.
Please indicate your perceived level of skill as an entry-level dietician for each of the following knowledge, skills, and competencies. Although your current position may not require performing all the skills listed, please indicate your level of skill when you entered your first position. Your candid responses will assist our evaluation of the scope and intensity of the internship program and enable us to improve our performance to enable entry level dieticians to perform well.
Yes (Answer questions 2 – 47)
No (Answer questions 2 – 15 & 26 – 47)
Rate your skill level in your first position:
1 = no skill
2 = some skill
3 = adequate skill
4 = highly skilled
NA = not applicable/did not do this type of work
2. Work effectively with colleagues as a team member to determine the most appropriate action plan (Example: Working with colleagues to develop a policy)
1
2
3
4
NA
3. Participate in legislative and public policy processes (Example: Writing letters to Congress about certain issues)
4. Foster excellence and exhibit professionalism
5. Work with clients to assess needs and resources to establish mutual goals (Example: Working with clients to enhance services provided to them)
6. Base practice on sound scientific principles, research, and theory (Example: Applying up to date information in work setting)
7. Collect measurable data and document outcomes within the practice setting (Example: Completing satisfaction surveys with clients in order to improve services offered to them)
8. Utilize effective oral and written communication in practice
9. Use current technologies for information and communication activities (Example: use of email, PowerPoint, internet)
10. Use resources effectively such as personnel, financial resources, equipment and time in the provision of services
11. Interpret data from financial, human, physical, resources and services to manage (Example: Staying within budget)
12. Participate in the design and evaluation of quality management programs (Example: Quality improvement projects)
13. Compare actual performance to expected outcomes (Example: Evaluate quality improvement performance or evaluate employees against expected outcomes)
14. Conduct self-assessment at regular intervals to identify professional strengths and weaknesses
15. Identify needs for professional development
DIETETICS SPECIFIC QUESTIONS
16. Review and interpret research findings for their application in dietetics practice
17. Provide counseling and education to consumers, clients, and professionals for health promotion, maintenance, and treatment
18. Participate in the use of mass media for community-based food and nutrition programs (Example: TV, radio or newspaper interviews)
19. Provide nutrition care for individuals and groups of all ages through assessment, planning, intervention, evaluation, and documentation (Example: Performing nutrition assessment of clients or writing a care plan for a client)
20. Participate in activities which promote improved nutrition status of consumers and market the profession of dietetics (Example: Participate or plan National Nutrition Month activities)
21. Integrate food and nutrition services with other services in the practice setting (Example: Interdisciplinary planning or collaborating with others to promote health and wellness)
22. Participate in the management of cost effective nutrition services (Example: Determining the cost of services and supplies in order to balance revenue and expenses)
23. Utilize food, nutrition, and social service resources in community programs (Example: Collaborate and build partnerships with other programs and services)
24. Supervise foodservice operations to meet the food and nutrition needs of target audiences
25. Supervise documentation of nutrition assessment and interventions (Example: Evaluate performance of Diet Techs or other Dieticians)
Please provide the following information:
26. What skills should receive more emphasis during the internship to better prepare dieticians?
27. What skills were not effectively addressed during your internship experiences?
Please give additional feedback regarding the weaknesses of each area of the internship:
28. Community Nutrition Rotations
29. Foodservice/Management Rotations
30. Medical Nutrition Therapy Rotations
Please give additional feedback regarding the strengths of each area of the internship:
31. Community Nutrition Rotations
32. Foodservice/Management Rotations
33. Medical Nutrition Therapy Rotations
34. Have you obtained and additional graduate degree or certificate?
Yes
No
35. If you have obtained and additional graduate degree or are in the process of obtaining and additional graduate degree or additional certification, please indicate the degree (or certificate) and the academic area.
36. Are you a Registered Dietician?
37. Upon completion of the internship, how long did it take to acquire a position?
Had a position before completion of the internship
Within the first 3 months
4 - 7 months
8 - 12 months
Longer than 12 months
38. What is your current employment status (including self-employment or contractual work)?
Full-time
Part-time
Not employed (DON'T ANSWER QUESTIONS 42 - 45)
39. Have you ever worked as a registered dietician?
Yes (GO TO #40)
No (GO TO #41)
40. If YES, how many years have you or were you employed in DIETETICS?
GO TO #42
41. If NO, please indicate the reason(s) (mark all that apply):
Position not available
Salary unacceptable
Continued education in a different area
Personal reasons
Other - Please specify:
42. What is your primary job function in your current position?
Clinical services
Public health/Community nutrition
Food services
Wellness/disease prevention
Education
Research
Sales/marketing
Product development
Nutrition information/communication
43. What is your current official job title?
44. Which of the following best describes the setting in which you currently work?
Acute-care facility
Long-term care facility
Home care agency
School foodservice operation
Commercial foodservice operation
Community/public health facility or organization
Ambulatory/outpatient clinic or office
Pharmaceutical company
Manufacturer/distributor/retailer
College/university faculty
HMO, physician or other health care provider
Private practice, primarily individual client counseling
Consultation to health care facilities, industries, other organizations
45. What is your annual total salary range for your current position? (NOT HOUSEHOLD)
< $25k
$26 - 35k
$36 - 45k
$46 - 55k
$56 - 65k
$66 - 75k
$76 - 85k
$86 - 99k
> $100k
46. Do you have additional comments about your internship experience at Oklahoma State University you would like to share with us?
47. What was your first official job title?
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