Step 3: Finding Your Preceptors and Facilities

The design of the USU Dietetic Internship provides interns with the opportunity to railroad train shut to home. Applicants planning to trainOUTSIDE of Utah or as a UTAH-HYBRID are responsible for locating and securing facilities and preceptors willing to work with them during their internship. Preceptors must exist secured by the fourth dimension of awarding.

A preceptor is someone who is willing to mentor yous through your rotations, educational activity you what an RD might do, and evaluating your performance and ability to role every bit an entry-level dietitian. Your preceptor should be a professional advisable for the facility where you volition train.

Please read through the guidelines on the Preceptor Facility Choice List for detailed data on the types of facilities and preceptors that meet the requirements of the USU DI.

HOW TO FIND PRECEPTORS:

i. Review preceptor and facility requirements earlier you start contacting potential preceptors

  • Review preceptor and facility requirements before y'all start contacting potential preceptors:
    • Preceptor Facility Option List
  • If you're reading this, kickoff contacting potential preceptors afterward you've read through the data on this folio.

2. Create a list of potential preceptors

  • The USU DI can provide you with a database of preceptors in your state if there accept been interns in that area in the past. To request a database, please emaildietetic.internship@usu.edu with your proper noun and the proper noun of the country for which you lot would similar a database. The preceptor database from USU DI does not include the proper noun of every potential preceptor in your state. In that location is no guarantee that the preceptors you contact volition be willing or able to train you.
    • Delight note: The USU DI will send preceptor databases starting October 1.  Contact us on or later that date to asking a database. Requests prior to that date will not be returned.
  • Use your resources and network of dietetics professionals. Talk to your DPD Managing director, the RD at the local hospital, the local school district nutrient service director, etc.
  • Contact members of the land or chapter affiliate of the Academy of Diet and Dietetics.
  • Search for hospitals, clinics, school districts, customs organizations online.
  • The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics has apreceptor list available to student members.
  • Contact USU DI gradutes in your area.
  • If you are using a preceptor database, don't be agape to contact someone who isn't on the listing.

iii. Start contacting potential preceptors

  • We suggest contacting preceptors by phone when possible. Emails can exist overlooked and some preceptors may non check their email regularly.
    • If y'all have not heard back from someone you've contacted, we suggest following upwards with them every ii-three weeks.
  • Be familiar with the length of the rotation and the preceptor paperwork required by the USU DI because your preceptor may not have worked with USU before.
  • Information you lot will desire to share with potential preceptors:
    • You lot are applying to the USU Dietetic Internship. It may be helpful to send them the link to the USU DI website.
    • You will exist notified of your acceptance in the April.
    • They are making a committment to railroad train you if you are accepted to the USU DI.
    • You and your preceptor volition determine the best dates for you to complete the rotation with them afterward you are accustomed. Run across USU DI Rotations & Curriculum for a sample schedule.
    • Potential preceptors may ask you about a contract or affiliation agreements, these volition be completedafter you have been accepted into the USU DI. Yet, if a potential preceptor states that they cannot agree to precept y'all unless an affiliation agreement is in place, contact the USU DI for boosted instructions and guidance.
      • You can share a copy of this with them: Standard Amalgamation Understanding Sample
  • Potential preceptors may desire to interview you and/or review your resume or experience. Dress professionally and approach the meeting like a job interview. Recollect that they demand to experience confident that this will be a good training partnership.
  • Take a re-create of the learning activitiesfor them to review:
    • Clinical Abbreviated Learning Activities Guidelines for Preceptors
    • Community Abbreviated Learning Activities Guidelines for Preceptors
    • FSSM & CNP Abbreviated Learning Activities Guidelines for Preceptors
  • Leave your contact data with them and follow upwards with them past email after your meeting.
  • If they take questions that you cannot reply, document their questions, and contact the USU DI for answers.

four. Complete the required forms

  • Review the required forms available in Step 6: Required Forms
  • Send your preceptor the forms and request that they return them to you with enough time to submit with your other awarding materials.
    • Some preceptors may prefer to email the forms straight to the USU DI which is as well acceptable. Please annotation on your Rotation Summary Form that your preceptor sent the forms straight to the DI.
  • Rather than send the forms direct to your preceptor to complete, y'all may also direct them to our online grade where they can provide the necessary information.

If y'all are planning to railroad train in Southern California, please contact Lacie Peterson earlier contacting potential preceptors for your Community/WIC rotations.