Dietetics Supervised Program (SP)

Evaluation

Graduation and ISPP Completion Requirements

The Verification Statement from University of Hawai'i at Mānoa Individualized Supervised Practice Pathway (ISPP) that establishes eligibility to take the national registration exam is granted only when the student has demonstrated competence as an entry-level practitioner through satisfactory completion of all components of all scheduled supervised practice rotations, projects and requirements.

In order to receive the verification statement, the Supervised Practice within the Didactic Program in Dietetics requires that the students:

• Meet all Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) core competencies prior to completion of the ISPP. These core competencies specify what every dietitian should be able to do at the beginning of his or her practice career. The core competency statements build on appropriate knowledge and skills necessary for the entry-level practitioner to perform reliably in the professional practice setting.
• Demonstrate professional and ethical behaviors and academic integrity as well as competence in the areas of communication, time management, problem solving and critical thinking.
• Exhibit satisfactory performance in accordance with the Professional Code of Ethics for the Profession of Dietetics on all required assignments, projects, curricula, rotation objectives, case studies, presentations, and exams.
• Comply with policies and procedures of the ISPP as specified in this manual as well as the policies and procedures established by all affiliating institutions. It is important that students familiarize themselves with all policies and procedures of the ISPP and all facilities. 
• Complete a minimum of 1000 hours of supervised practice
• Meet professional practice expectations as outlined by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics' Code of Ethics
• Demonstrate expert performance and competency throughout SP rotations as evaluated by ISPP faculty members and facility preceptors
• Beginning Fall 2022 and moving forward, a graduate degree will also be required for issuance of verification statements.

ISPP Completion and Verification Statement

Upon completion of the ISPP students will receive (either via email or mail) a verification of completion certificate and be eligible to take the national Registration Examination for Dietitians within 2 weeks of completion of the ISPP program. The program director utilizes Trajecsys evaluation reports and submitted assignments from FSHN 667 and 668 to determine completion of the ISPP program. The Director will notify Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) when students have completed all requirements for eligibility for the Registration Examination. Upon notification from CDR, it will be the graduate’s responsibility to make arrangements to take the exam.

Note: Beginning Fall 2022 issuance of verification statement will also require a graduate degree. For ISPP students completing the MS Nutritional Sciences degree program, the verification statement will be emailed or mailed to students within 2 weeks of the graduate degree being awarded by the University of Hawaii at Manoa's graduate division.

Requirements for Preceptors and Facilities

• The Preceptor must be a full-time employee at the selected facility. The primary Preceptor may be a part-time employee if a qualified secondary preceptor is available to supervise the student when the primary Preceptor is not available.
• Each Preceptor must submit a resume or curricula vitae. He/she must have appropriate credentials and work experience to mentor the student in the specified rotation.
• A facility form will be submitted for each rotation. The following is a list of acceptable types of facilities:


Facilities for Clinical Dietetics
• Acute care and/or long term institution. The Preceptor must be a registered dietitian with the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) with a minimum of one-year of work experience after credentialing.

Food Service
• School food service, University Dining Services or a health care facility. The Preceptor must be a food service director or supervisor.

Community
• All students must complete a rotation in public health. Students will be placed in a facility to provide community management experience. Other types of facilities to complete the community nutrition experiences include: The Cooperative Extension, (WIC) Women Infant Children, Food Bank, Head Start, Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP), and Child-Adult Care Feeding Program.

Throughout the Supervised Practice Students are expected to obtain learning experiences with a variety of populations, diverse cultures and in various settings. Student rotations to include experiences with Populations: infants, children, adolescents, adults, pregnant/lactating females, and the elderly, Settings: acute care, critical care, outpatient, long-term care, wellness program and public health/community settings (schools and WIC or WIC equivalents as outlined in the community rotation section),Conditions/Disease States: weight management/obesity, diabetes, cancer, cardiovascular diseases, gastrointestinal diseases and renal diseases.

Preceptor Responsibilities

• Preceptors need to read all application materials provided for the student. They must have adequate time to supervise, mentor and evaluate the student.
• The Preceptor must assure that the student will be able to accomplish all the learning experiences outlined in the rotation materials.
• The Preceptor is responsible for scheduling all learning experiences for the student during the specified rotation.
• It is expected that the Preceptor will provide feedback to the student regarding observed strengths and weaknesses on a regular basis. The Preceptor will conduct the performance evaluation of the student and act as the point of contact in the facility with the Supervised Practice faculty. SP faculty will schedule a time to discuss the performance evaluation by meeting with the student and preceptor at the facility or by telephone conference during the last week of the rotation.
• Preceptors must agree to fulfill the curriculum and abide by the policies and procedures of the University of Hawaii Supervised Practice.

ISPP Faculty Responsibilities

• Provide curriculum and evaluation materials.
• Review and grade all student assignments.
• Contact Preceptor and/or student periodically to discuss rotation experiences.
• Track student progress via an online journal and learning log.
• Be available for consultation as necessary.
• Be available for all evaluations in person or via telephone conferencing.

Formal Assessment of Student Learning

Formal assessment of student learning and regular reports of performance and progress are provided at specified intervals  throughout supervised practice rotations using specifically prepared SP forms. Evaluations include both assessments of the student’s progress as well as assessments of the student’s knowledge and performance. Preceptors completing the evaluation use the provided form and review with the student prior to signatures. 

It is the student’s responsibility to be familiar with the various evaluation forms so that he/she is aware of the criteria and timing for each evaluation. The form is returned to the Preceptor and/or Director. Student forms are provided for the student to evaluate his/her experience in the rotation as well. These forms are used to facilitate improvements in the SP and provide feedback to Preceptors.

• Written Evaluations from Preceptors and Director
• Competency Achievement (Rating Scale 0-5; passing with a minimum score of 4 out of 5)
• Exams
• Assignments, Presentations and Projects
• Demonstration of minimum supervised practice hours 
• MNT for Conditions and Populations

Many opportunities exist for informal feedback about performance. These should be viewed as positive opportunities to gain insight and adjust performance. Examples of informal evaluation include, but are not limited to, daily feedback/discussions with Preceptors on skill development, clinical documentation, presentations and projects.

A self-evaluation by the student is also required at the end of each rotation. In addition, daily feedback on performance will be given to each student by the Preceptor.

Student achievement is designated with a letter grade A - F.