Program Information

The Henry Ford Hospital Dietetic Internship is part of the Department of Food and Nutrition Services which plays a vital role within the facility as one of the largest support service departments. It is a self-operated department with about 150 employees working in a variety of positions to serve patients, visitors and hospital staff. With a conventional, cook-serve operation and centralized patient food service, the main kitchen, patient service kitchen, and cafeteria serve approximately 1,200 patient meals and 3,800 customers daily. The patient food service is comprised of a house specialty service as well as room service options.

The internship program is planned to provide the students the knowledge, skills, methods and tools to achieve professional expertise and competence plus establish life-long learning within the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics “Standards of Professional Practice” and the “Code of Ethics for the Profession of Dietetics.”

The 42 week program is designed with a nutrition therapy concentration. Competency statements specify what every registered dietitian nutritionist should be able to do at the beginning of his/her practice career.

The program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND).

The Henry Ford Hospital Dietetic Internship mission is compatible with Henry Ford Health; Department of Food and Nutrition Services; and ACEND missions and visions.

HFH Dietetic Internship Program Mission, Goals and Objectives

Mission: The Mission of the Henry Ford Hospital Dietetic Internship Program is to provide patient-centered, supervised practice experiences and practical application, in an intellectual, collaborative and compassionate atmosphere, to prepare entry-level registered dietitian nutritionists for career excellence. The program is structured with a nutrition therapy concentration focusing on evidence based practice across the continuum of care. Dietetic interns will develop outstanding critical thinking skills and be exposed to a highly diverse environment of people, experiences and practices.
Goal 1: To facilitate the development and maintenance of Medical Nutrition Therapy knowledge and skills through interactive learning experiences while cultivating outstanding critical thinking skills to individualize interactions in diverse areas of dietetics practice.

Objectives

At least 80% of program students complete program/degree requirements within 15 months (150% of program length).
80% 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%.
100% of program graduates rate staff guidance, to meet basic competencies, as outlined for each supervised practice experience, as satisfactory or above.
85% of employers rate the graduates Medical Nutrition Therapy Knowledge and skills and development of critical thinking skills to individualize each interaction, as satisfactory or above.

Goal 2: To prepare competent entry-level dietitian nutritionists who demonstrate a commitment to professional growth and career excellence.

Objectives

100% of program graduates rate their overall confidence level that the internship prepared them as competent for entry level practice, as satisfactory or above.
Of graduates who seek employment, 75% are employed in nutrition and dietetics or related fields within 12 months.
85 % of employers are satisfied with graduate preparation for entry-level practice.
85% of employers, will rate the graduates organizational skills, customer service skills, communication skills and overall commitment to professional growth and career development, as satisfactory or above.

Henry Ford Health Mission and Vision

Mission: We improve people’s lives through excellence in the science and art of health care and healing.
Vision: We will be the trusted partner in health, leading the nation in superior care and value -- one person at a time.

Henry Ford Hospital Department of Food and Nutrition Services Mission

Mission: The department of Food and Nutrition will be effectively organized, directed, staffed and integrated with other departments of the hospital, to assure the preparation and delivery of quality food and optimal nutritional care and service to our patients, employees, and guests.

Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) Mission, Vision and Principles

ACEND Mission: Accelerate improvements in global health and well-being through food and nutrition
ACEND Vision: A world where all people thrive through the transformative power of food and nutrition
ACEND Principles

The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and our members:

Amplify the contribution and value of diverse nutrition and dietetics practitioners to the public
Position registered dietitian nutritionists as the experts in food and nutrition
Expand workforce demand and capacity
Incorporate research, professional development, technology and practice to foster innovation and discovery
Collaborate with key stakeholders to solve the greatest food and nutrition challenges, now and in the future
Focus on making a system-wide impact across the food, well-being and health care sectors
Have a global impact in eliminating all forms of malnutrition.

Contact information for ACEND:

120 South Riverside Plaza
Suite 2190
Chicago, IL 60606-6995
Phone: (800) 877-1600 X 5400
Fax: (312) 899-4817
Email: ACEND@eatright.org
Website

General Program Information

The program outcomes data are available upon request.

Hard copies of the Program Handbook which includes all Dietetic Internship Policies and Procedures is available upon request.

Contact the Internship Director, if you would like to receive a hard copy of the Program Outcomes data and or the Program Handbook.

Dietetic Intern Responsibilities/Commitments

Dietetic Interns must be courteous, respectful, and compassionate toward fellow interns, employees, patients and visitors. Defining statements:
Attitude is everything. Create a lasting impression
"Is there anything else I can do for you? I have the time."
Every interaction is important
Promote and maintain a clean environment
Act as an ambassador of Henry Ford Hospital and Health network by living the values and taking pride in this organization
Dress for respect and success - Interns wear professional business clothing or black scrubs with a white lab coat. The departmental dress code must be followed. Jeans and similar casual clothes are not worn in the Hospital at any time. All interns are required to wear black closed-toe water and slip resistant shoes during all foodservice experiences.
Respect the need for privacy in all instances
Timing is everything, keep the patient/customer updated on what is going on when there is any delay in service, and when they should expect another update
Be a team player, and know that by helping each other we help our patients.

Transportation

Interns should have a car as the availability of public transportation is very limited. Traveling is required, especially when assigned to community experiences.

Employment

The Internship Program is demanding and challenging, requiring organization, self-discipline and stamina. Because of these demands, the Program faculty strongly recommend that interns not be employed during the Program.

English Fluency

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

Financial Aid

The Dietetic Internship Program does not participate in any financial aid or scholarship programs. The Internship Director, will supply documentation, as requested for a loan deferment or to continue participation on a parent’s health insurance policy. The document states that the Dietetic Intern is a full time student in a 42 week, hospital based program and has paid tuition of $7,500.00.

Pre-Placement Screening

Pre-placement screening includes verification of negative TB tests, Flu vaccination and COVID-19 Booster.

Drug testing is not required as part of the Pre-Placement Screening however, Henry Ford Health reserves the right to conduct testing of a dietetic intern who is reasonably suspected of using alcohol or illegally using drugs. Any dietetic intern that who refuses to submit to a drug and alcohol screening test will be considered to have voluntarily resigned from Henry Ford Hospital’s dietetic internship program.

Dietetic interns are required to sign a Disclosure and Release of Information Authorization and a Criminal Offence form.

Benefits

Health Care: There are on-site employee health services for infection control screening and occupational health for work related injury evaluations.
Medical Insurance: Students must have medical insurance coverage during their program. Evidence of medical coverage must be provided when your educational program begins.
Liability Insurance: Interns have full professional liability insurance from Henry Ford Health. Interns must carry their own personal liability insurance.
Library: Interns have free use of the Sladen Medical Library. This includes computer searches, internet, interlibrary loans and copy service.
Loans: The Dietetic Internship Program does not participate in the Guaranteed Student Loan program.
Meals: Interns may receive a meal allowance on scheduled workdays.
Living Accommodations: There is a variety of moderately priced apartments available within easy access to the Hospital. Housing is available for dietetic interns in the hospital owned and operated apartment building located on the hospital campus for $350.00 / month.
Parking: Interns have guarded, assigned parking. From the parking lot, they ride the free shuttle directly to the Hospital.
Security: The Hospital is very conscious of the safety of its staff and students. Security personnel, on request, will provide security escorts to staff and students.

Expenses

Application Fee: An application fee of $100 is nonrefundable. It is sent with the completed application. Applicants are not considered without the accompanying fee.
Tuition and Fees: Tuition is $7,500.00.The check for tuition must be postmarked no later than September 1, of the year the Internship begins. Tuition includes Registration at a Registration Exam Review Course. Tuition is refundable at 50% up to the end of week two (2) and is non-refundable after week two (2) of the program. Travel expenses are usually about $300-500. Other costs vary according to each intern's needs. There may be costs for lab coats and uniforms, as well as textbooks and miscellaneous other supplies that interns might find helpful.
Professional Memberships: Proof of Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics membership and for the South Eastern Michigan Dietetic Association (SEMDA) is required by the beginning of the Program.
Open House: The Henry Ford Hospital Dietetic Internship holds an open house every November or December. This gives students an opportunity to visit the hospital, learn about the internship program, and meet with the internship director and the current intern class. Please contact Ashlee Carnahan acarnah1@hfhs.org Internship Director for further information.

Awards, Grants, Scholarships and Stipends

Consult the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Education and Accreditation Team at education@eatright.org for information regarding awards, grants, scholarships and stipends.

Earning Potential

Salary levels vary with geographical location, scope of responsibility, employment settings and supply of registered dietitian nutritionists. The Bureau of Labor Statistics has predicted that jobs in the dietitian/nutritionist category will increase by approximately 11% between 2018 and 2028.

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