Number of Interns
The MetroHealth Dietetic Internship Program accepts three interns per year.  General information regarding our program is outlined below.

Work Hours
There is one full-time class each year, starting in August. The length of the program is 48 weeks. The Dietetic Intern will be scheduled for a 40-hour work week, including some weekends as necessary. Additional time will be required to complete all projects, assignments, and other intern responsibilities. The intern will need to participate fully in the program; therefore, outside employment is discouraged.

Class Schedule
Classes are provided during orientation and throughout the Internship year. These classes are designed to expand and strengthen theory and basic knowledge in clinical, community, and administrative dietetics. In addition, seminars and lectures are periodically scheduled as part of departmental continuing education.

Housing
No housing is available on the MetroHealth campus. Cost of housing in the Cleveland area averages $600 to $800 a month.

Insurance
The intern will be responsible for his/her own medical coverage during the internship year. Interns are considered volunteers by the hospital and do not qualify for medical benefits. Interns are required to carry liability insurance at a cost of approximately  $45 per year. Insurance forms will be provided when acceptance is confirmed.

Financial Aid
Interns may be eligible for deferment of student loans. Check with your lending organization. Apply for scholarships through The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Note that the deadline for scholarship applications are usually the year prior to starting an internship. Students should contact the Academy for this information.

Transportation
While the majority of experiences are completed at MetroHealth Medical Center, the Intern is responsible for transportation to and from 0utside or MetroHealth satellite affiliations. Also, travel expenses include gasoline, food and or lodging  incurred for a one-day Student Public Policy Day in Columbus.

Professional Membership
Once accepted into the program Interns are required to join The Cleveland Dietetic Association and attend a minimum of three meetings during the Internship year. Membership forms are distributed during orientation. The cost of membership for students is approximately  $10. Interns are also encouraged to be a member of The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

Stipend
No stipend is available at this time.

Vacation
Each Intern will be given a one-week vacation around the Christmas holiday. In addition, Interns will not be required to work when the following holidays are observed: Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas, or New Year's Day. 

Evaluation and Graduation
Objectives and standards of performance have been developed for each division of the program to define performance requirements of the dietetic intern. The Dietetic Intern and the supervisory Dietitian each complete an evaluation and verbally discuss them at the end of each rotation. The evaluations are based on the stage of the intern’s program and the specific objectives and performance standards of the rotation.

If the Intern’s performance is unsatisfactory in a rotation they will be placed on probation. Failure to perform satisfactory or greater in a second rotation would result in termination from the program.

Upon successful completion of the program, graduates are provided a  Verification Statement.

Internship Fees
A non-refundable internship fee of $350 is due once accepted into the program. This fee is generally due by June 30.

Parking
Parking costs approximately $8  per week.

Dress Code
Lab coats are required in the clinical and community rotations. Interns should wear professional attire at all times as  required by hospital dress code regulations

Exam Results
The MetroHealth Medical Center Dietetic Internship Program passage rate for first-time test takers of the Registration Examination for Dietitian is 85%.

The MetroHealth Medical Center Dietetic Internship is accredited by the Accreditation Council of the Acacemy of Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) a specialized accrediting body recognized by the Council on Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) and the United States Department of Education.

ACEND may be contacted at: 312-899-0400, ext. 5400

The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2000
Chicago, IL 60606