Southwestern Dietetic Internship (SWDI)

Program Description  |  SWDI Handbook  |  Interns  |  Mission  |  Calendar  |  Graduation  |  Cost  |  Application  | FAQ  |  Deadlines |  Accreditation

Internship Description

The Southwestern Dietetic Internship (SWDI) is an accredited dietetic internship offered by the Phoenix Indian Medical Center (PIMC) in Phoenix, Arizona and the Pinon Health Center (PHC) in Pinon, Arizona. The PIMC and PHC are Indian Health Service (IHS) healthcare facilities. The IHS is an agency within the United States (U.S.) Department of Health and Human Services. The IHS provides federal health care services to American Indian and Alaska Natives (AI/AN). The mission of the IHS is to raise the physical, mental, social, and spiritual health of AI/AN to the highest level. This internship has an emphasis in AI/AN nutrition.

The SWDI is designed to produce competent, well-rounded dietetics professionals prepared to work in AI/AN communities. Interns will have the unique opportunity to learn about and gain hands on experience in both rural and urban Native American communities. The SWDI is a full-time program with a minimum of 40 hours per week for a total of 32 weeks. The SWDI participates in the Dietetic Inclusive Centralized Application System (DICAS) Spring Computer Match and selects 2 interns per year. The internship program begins each year in August.

Upon successful completion of the SWDI, interns will be awarded a Dietetic Internship Verification Statement and will be eligible to take the Registration Examination for Dietitians given by the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR). Passing the Registration Examination is the final requirement to becoming a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN).

SWDI Handbook

The internship handbook provides detailed information on the internship, preparing to be a SWDI intern, what to expect in the SWDI, and how to successfully pass the SWDI.

Intern Handbook [PDF 356 KB]

Intern Learning Experiences

Interns begin supervised practice experience at the PIMC while training and working alongside PIMC RDNs who provide nutrition care to hospitalized and ambulatory care patients, manage hospital food services, and provide community nutrition services by traveling to tribal communities located in the Phoenix Area.

Interns will work in the acute care setting and participate in nutrition intervention for hospitalized patients with complex conditions. Interns will function as members of interdisciplinary teams. Outside the hospital, interns will travel to field clinics and participate in tribal nutrition programs located in the Phoenix Area. Aside from direct patient and community practice, interns will learn about managing a hospital food service operation.

Interns will continue their experience in Pinon, Arizona. Pinon is located on the Navajo Reservation in the scenic "Four Corners" region of the Southwestern United States. The Navajo Reservation is the country's largest Indian Reservation. Interns will participate in the development of community health promotion and disease prevention programs. Interns are not expected to pay for housing cost during this rotation. Government housing will be secured and provided for interns.

Becoming a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN)

Students must complete the following steps to become a RDN:

1. Complete a Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) accredited by the ACEND and obtain a DPD Verification Statement from the program. Students who have not yet graduated may obtain an Intent to Complete DPD Statement when applying for an internship, but must provide a final DPD Verification Statement prior to beginning the internship. A DPD grants at least a bachelor's degree (some grant a master's degree) and is ACEND-accredited for only the required dietetics coursework. A list of accredited programs is available on the ACEND website.
2. Complete an accredited Dietetic Internship (DI) program and obtain a Dietetic Internship Verification Statement. After you complete DPD requirements you will then need to apply for and be accepted into an ACEND accredited DI to complete the supervised practice experience requirement. You must successfully complete an accredited DI and obtain a Verification Statement from the internship director in order to be eligible to take the Registration Examination. Successfully completing the SWDI makes interns eligible to take the Registration Examination for RDNs as required by the CDR.
3. Pass the Registration Examination for RDNs.

SWDI Mission, Goals and Expected Outcomes

Mission

The mission of the SWDI is to prepare entry-level RDNs to provide culturally appropriate, comprehensive nutrition services in AI/AN communities. It is consistent with the mission of the IHS, which is to raise the physical, mental, social, and spiritual health of AI/AN to the highest level.

Goals

1. Prepare graduates to be competent entry-level RDNs.
2. Program graduates will improve access to nutrition care provided to AI/AN communities by qualified dietetics professionals.
3. Increase diversity in the dietetics profession by increasing the numbers of AI/AN dietetics professionals.

Objectives

• At least 80% of program interns complete program requirements within 15 months (150% of the program length).
• 80% of program graduates take the CDR credentialing exam for RDNs 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 RDNs is at least 80%.
• 90% of employers will evaluate graduates’ entry-level skills as meeting overall competency requirements.
• Of graduates who seek employment, 70% are employed in nutrition and dietetics, or related fields within 12 months of graduation.
• At least 30% of employed graduates will be employed in programs serving AI/AN people.
• At least 30% of graduates will be registered with a federally-recognized tribes.
• Each year the mean program score on the CDR credentialing exam for RDNs will meet or exceed the national mean score.

The SWDI program outcomes data are available upon request.

2022-2023 SWDI Calendar is available here. [PDF 101 KB]

Graduation and Program Requirements

In order to complete the SWDI program, interns must have received the following:

• Passing grades (at least a 3 or above on all curricula and “meets expectations”, or above, on all professional attributes) for all rotations.
• All curricula completed and signed by preceptors.
• Passing grades on all projects.
• All work must be completed and competencies met within 150% of the 34 week schedule for completion (i.e., 2400 hours).

If an intern does not successfully pass a rotation, the rotation may be repeated one time only. If the intern fails to successfully complete a rotation after the second attempt, the intern will be dismissed from the program. Please see internship handbook for How to Successfully Complete the SWDI.

Upon successful completion of all requirements, including evaluations, interns will receive a DI Verification Statement indicating their eligibility to sit for the Registration Examination for RDNs administered by the CDR.

• Applicants must be a U.S. citizen.
• Applications must be submitted through the AND DICAS. The SWDI participates in the spring computer match. Items to be submitted include:
  • A completed application
  • Official Transcripts from all colleges and universities attended with a DPD grade point average of at least 3.0. If the degree has been conferred, the official transcripts must show a minimum of a graduate degree granted by a U.S. regionally accredited college/university or  foreign equivalent Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov . Effective January 1, 2024 all candidates will be required to have a Master's degree.
  • Original DPD Verification Statement that is dated within 5 years of the application deadline. Outdated Verification Statements will not be considered.
  • If the applicant has not yet graduated from a DPD program, a current Declaration of Intent to Complete must be submitted. Application packets with outdated Intent to Complete statements will not be considered.
  • Current resume documenting work experience related to nutrition and dietetics. Examples include: dietetic technician, food service worker, dietary manager, nutrition educator, etc. For full credit during applicant scoring, 1000 hours is required.
  • 3 letters of reference, preferably one from a professor and one from an employer. No letters from relatives will be considered.
  • Required supplemental documents:
    • Short essay discussing 3 health-related problems prevalent in AI/AN communities (rural and/or urban). The essay is limited to one-page with 1" margins, singled spaced (1" line spacing), Times New Roman 12 Font, and must include creditable resources on a second page.
    • Personal Statement describing and explaining: 1) why you are applying to the SWDI, 2) your short- and long-term career goals, and 3) your strengths and weaknesses as a student and prospective intern and your expectations of a DI. Your personal statement is limited to 2 pages.
  • Physical Requirements: Must be able to stand for extended periods of time and must be able to lift objects weighing 20 lbs. (unassisted) and 40 lbs. with assistance from one other person.
  • Must be able to read, write, and communicate effectively in English, and type on a computer daily for extended periods of time.
  • Must have a valid driver’s license, own transportation and have valid auto insurance.
  • The SWDI does not grant credit for prior learning or for graduate work.

  All documents must be uploaded to DICAS by the deadline corresponding with the Spring Computer Match.

   

  Deadlines

  Application with DICAS

  The SWDI uses the on-line DICAS. The on-line application must be completed for our program by 11:59PM Central Time on the deadline date. Please refer to the DICAS website for applicable dates and fees. Official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended must be sent to DICAS. When completing the application form, applicants must include the name and contact information (specifically an e-mail address) for each reference.

  Contact information for DICAS

  • Website: Dietetic Internship Centralized Application Services (DICAS) Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov 
  • Customer Support phone: 617-612-2855

  Computer Matching

  Applicants to the SWDI must participate in computer matching. See D & D Digital website for computer match information and deadlines.

  Contact information for D&D Digital

  • Website: D&D Digital Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov 
  • Phone: 515-292-0490
  • Email: dnd@sigler.com
   

  Accreditation Status

  The SWDI is currently accredited by the ACEND of the AND.

  Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics
  Email: ACEND@eatright.org
  Phone: 800-877-1600, ext. 5400
  Mail: 120 South Riverside Plaza
  Suite 2190, Chicago, IL 60606-6995
  Website: Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov 

  SWDI Contact Information

  LCDR Charisse Holiday, MPH, MS, RD, CDCES, BC-ADM
  Director, Southwestern Dietetic Internship
  Phoenix Indian Medical Center
  4212 N. 16th Street
  Phoenix, Arizona 85016
  Phone:602-581-6052
  Email: Charisse.Holiday@ihs.gov

   

  FAQs

  • Do I have to be Native American to apply to this internship?
    No. All graduates of DPD programs are encouraged to apply.
  • If selected, are there any additional requirements?
    Yes, the applicants selected must have the following:

    • BLS/CPR certification. If the applicant does not have this, it will be scheduled during the first rotation.
    • Background check. This will be completed in Phoenix and Pinon. The following documents are required as proof of identification: (a) Passport or (b) Driver's license PLUS Social Security card OR birth certificate.

    The SWDI Handbook details additional requirements that must be submitted.

  • Is housing provided during this program?
    You are responsible for your own housing while in Phoenix. During the Pinon rotation, government housing arrangements will be made for you by the Site Coordinators. Family, friends and pets may not occupy government housing.
  • Is transportation provided for me?
    No, you are responsible for your own transportation, including auto insurance and a current driver’s license.
  • Are job placement services available?
    No, but our program provides information to interns on available jobs in the Indian Health Service and on the Arizona Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics listserve.