Post Degree Dietetic Internship

MANITOBA PARTNERSHIP DIETETIC EDUCATION PROGRAM
Winnipeg Regional Health Authority, Nutrition and Food Services
345 DeBaets Street, Winnipeg, Manitoba  R2J 3V6

To become and practice as a Registered Dietitian in Canada 4 steps are required:
1.     Complete a baccalaureate degree from a Partnership for Dietetic Education and Practice (PDEP)
        accredited university program majoring in human nutritional sciences.
2.     Complete a PDEP accredited dietetic internship program.
3.     Pass the Canadian Dietetic Registration Examination.
4.     Register with a provincial regulatory body to practice as a Registered Dietitian.

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
The Manitoba Partnership Dietetic Education Program ensures dietetic interns gain practical experience in all aspects of dietetic practice utilizing principles of adult education and self-directed learning. The program offers diverse dietetic practice experiences and the provision of nutrition care/intervention occurs across the health care continuum. There is an enhanced emphasis on community-based practice, primary health care, long-term care, rural health care and Indigenous nutritional health. Learning opportunities occur throughout the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority (WRHA) and other health regions in Manitoba, to support dietetic interns in developing skills in all five areas of competence: Professional Practice, Communication and Collaboration, Nutrition Care, Population and Public Health and Management consistent with The Integrated Competencies for Dietetic Education and Practice developed by PDEP. This post-degree dietetic education program is accredited under Partnership for Dietetic Education and Practice (PDEP) and prepares individuals for eligibility for registration with a provincial dietetics regulatory body.
For more information about PDEP, see http://www.pdep.ca
For more information about the WRHA, see https://www.wrha.mb.ca.

DIETETIC INTERNSHIP PROGRAM MISSION AND VISION
Mission -The Manitoba Partnership Dietetic Education Program is committed to providing dietetic interns with practical learning experiences, which demonstrate best practice in a professional setting, building on academic learning to further develop skills, knowledge and judgments necessary to meet entry-level practice standards.
Vision - To provide excellence in dietetic internship education that acknowledges a dietetic intern’s interests/strengths and fosters self-directed, supportive learning leading to the achievement of entry-to-practice competence.

NUMBER OF DIETETIC INTERNSHIP POSITIONS
Two (2)
Available to University of Manitoba Students/Graduates Exclusively

START DATE
September 2019

LENGTH OF PROGRAM and PROGRAM OUTLINE
41 week program includes:
Orientation/Education Session - 3 weeks
Clinical Nutrition/Nutrition Care - 12 weeks
Community Nutrition/Population and Public Health and Primary Care - 6 weeks
Renal, Pediatric and Population/Public Health Nutrition Group Education - 2 weeks
Nutrition and Food Service Management - 9 weeks
Professional Staff Experience (clinical nutrition/nutrition care) - 3 weeks
Practice-based Research Project - 4 weeks
Vacation - 2 weeks

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Selection Criteria
Applicants must be graduates of a PDEP accredited undergraduate university degree program and have a minimum 3.0 degree (cumulative) GPA or B average. The College of Dietitians of Manitoba (CDM) must also approve the university program. Applicants who are currently university students must be expecting to complete their baccalaureate degree majoring in human nutritional sciences/dietetics by May of this academic year.  Required courses must be successfully completed and verified by an official university transcript prior to the start of the internship program.
Individuals applying for dietetic internship more than 3 years since graduation must provide evidence of academic upgrading. All dietetic interns within the province of Manitoba are registered with CDM, and therefore, academic upgrading must be assessed by the CDM prior to dietetic internship application (contact information: office@collegeofdietitiansmb.ca). CDM requires 4 weeks for academic assessments.

We are seeking confident individuals with passion for the dietetic profession and who have leadership potential and initiative. Learning in self-directed environments and being flexible/adaptable to learning situations and open to feedback are essential for success in our program. Strong critical thinking and decision making skills are necessary. Time management and organizational skills Well-developed written, verbal and interpersonal communication skills as well as the ability to collaborate with others are assets. It is a requirement to be proficient in the English language and be eligible to work in Canada.

Application Requirements
     1.  Applicants must follow the Dietitians of Canada Program Match Application process and all forms
          contained in the application package are submitted online through Match System.
          A $30 application fee is required with the application and payment is through the Match System.

     2.  Program Specific Application Requirements include the following:
          a)  Cover Letter:  Written in business format, one page typed, single-spaced with your signature included.
               You need to indicate your professional goals, your reasons for choosing the Manitoba Partnership Dietetic
               Education Program and your personal qualities and skills which are relevant to the dietetic profession/
               future dietitian career (limit to one page typed, single-spaced).

          b)  Confidential References:  References should be from individuals who have evaluated your work (either
               paid or volunteer work) and have the authority to monitor your performance such as a previous/current
               employer or supervisor of volunteer experience.  A personal reference from a family member, friend or
               co-worker is not accepted. One of the three references must be a registered dietitian (member number is
               required).

          c)  Interpersonal Skills ReportThis report must be emailed directly to our program address:
               NutritionandFoodServices@wrha.mb.ca on or before the application due date.

               Illustrate your skill set related to the following:
                    -   Successful problem solving
                    -   Conflict resolution
                    -   Effective teamwork

               -    Use an example for each of the skills listed above from either your work, volunteer or life experience.
               -    Use a different example for each skill.
               -    Length - Each illustration must be one typed page, double-spaced.

Application Scoring
Applications will be scored out of a total of 100 points. Points will be awarded according to the following criteria:
Academic Rating – 20 points                      Resume – 30 points                                   Cover Letter – 10 points
Confidential References – 20 points           Interpersonal Skills Report – 20 points

Travel and Accommodation Requirements
All dietetic interns participating in the Manitoba Partnership Dietetic Education Program will complete a minimum of nine weeks of their training outside of Winnipeg. In more remote locations, rural placement experience will be scheduled as a continuous period of time to reduce travel requirements. In areas closer to Winnipeg, where dietetic interns have the option to commute, the experience may be scheduled in 2-3 time periods. Travel and accommodation arrangements and costs will be the responsibility of the dietetic intern.

Access to a Vehicle
It is recommended that dietetic interns have access to a motor vehicle, specifically, if an individual chooses rural placement locations within commuting distance from Winnipeg. Dietetic interns will be responsible for their own transportation to various training sites within and outside of Winnipeg.

Program Expenses
Prior to beginning internship:
1.  Official university level transcript of marks
2.  DC Student Status membership
3.  Criminal record check/Vulnerable Sector Search, Child abuse and Adult abuse registry check
4.  Updated immunization and communicable disease record
5.  Accident Insurance (offered through DC)
6.  Liability Insurance (offered through DC)
7.  College of Dietitians of Manitoba registration as a Dietetic Intern
During internship:
1.  $350.00 registration fee (paid on first day of program, non-refundable)
2.  Transportation/travel costs
3.  Accommodation costs

Working Hours
Normal hours of work in a week are approximately 37.5 hours. Extra hours of work will be required to complete readings, assignments and projects.

Prior Learning Experience
Dietetic interns who can demonstrate achievement of dietetic internship Practice Competencies from work or volunteer experience can apply for credit for prior learning, potentially resulting in a shortened program length.

Quotes from Past Dietetic Interns
“My internship has been much better than I ever could have anticipated. I am very excited to start my career and I feel well equipped to do so.”
“The program allowed me to experience a variety of areas related to the dietetic practice. Having the experience in clinical, community, and food service management provided me the exposure to several fields of practice. I enjoyed all areas.”
“All preceptors provided a supportive learning environment. I was pushed to think critically and any questions I had were answered in a timely manner. All preceptors checked in daily and/or weekly to provide feedback regarding my areas of skill development and performance in the dietetic profession.”
“I have gained confidence, skill and strength as a dietetic intern as a result of the wonderful guidance and tutelage I have received from my preceptors.”
“I learnt a lot during this internship through all of the hands on learning that I was provided with. I am very pleased with this program and the variety of experiences and knowledge that it provided me with, which has equipped me to be a competent dietitian in the near future.”
“I feel very fortunate to have had the opportunity to be a Dietetic Intern with the MPP program. I appreciate the challenges that I have faced throughout this internship and feel that I have grown and developed exponentially through this internship experience.”

DIETETIC INTERNSHIP MANAGER:
Alison Cummins, RD
Telephone: 204-654-6554
Email: acummins@wrha.mb.ca

DIETETIC INTERNSHIP RESEARCH and EDUCATION DIETITIAN:
Kathy Vagianos, MSc, RD
Telephone: 204-787-4387
Email: kvagianos@hsc.mb.ca