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Supervised Practice

Supervised Practice Responsibilities & Timeline

Responsibilities of A‑State Students in Supervised Practice
Expectations for Student Conduct
  • Initiate contact with your preceptor prior to the first day to confirm time, location, dress code, and parking.
  • Prepare for and actively participate in all supervised practice activities, taking responsibility for your own learning.
  • Follow all policies outlined in the Dietetics Student Handbook.
  • Adhere to the policies and procedures of the assigned facility.
  • Avoid personal calls, texts, and emails while at the facility.
  • Communicate regularly with preceptors about expectations, progress, questions, and challenges.
  • Plan and organize daily and weekly assignments, ensuring that learning objectives are met.
  • Submit required paperwork and evaluations to preceptors well before deadlines to allow time for review and signatures.
  • Be willing to step outside your comfort zone to grow and learn.
  • Show respect for the knowledge and experience gained through professional practice.
  • Recognize that preceptors volunteer their time without additional pay or tangible rewards, giving back to the profession.
  • Accept both positive feedback and constructive suggestions with gratitude, recognizing their value to your growth.
  • Manage personal health and responsibilities to ensure you can devote full focus and energy to supervised practice.
Policies During Supervised Practice
  • Student Replacement of Employees: Students do not replace employees for routine work responsibilities unless staff relief is planned as part of the CP supervised practice experience to meet specific competencies.
  • Professional Dress Code: Students must follow the dress code outlined in the handbook. Improper attire will result in dismissal to change clothes, and time lost is considered absence time.
  • Professional Behaviors: Students are expected to demonstrate ethical performance, punctuality, completion of assignments, positive relationships, compliance with dress code, and responsiveness to feedback.
  • Cell Phones & Electronic Devices: Use of personal devices is restricted to professional purposes or emergencies. Unauthorized photography or storage of patient information is strictly prohibited under HIPAA.
Responsibilities of Preceptors in Supervised Practice
  • Provide a thorough orientation to the supervised practice setting.
  • Meet regularly with the student you are precepting.
  • Allow students to shadow and learn from your professional practice.
  • Foster a positive and supportive learning environment.
  • Offer opportunities for students to apply what they have learned.
  • Provide assistance and supervision as needed.
  • Evaluate student progress through verbal and written feedback.
    • Notify the student and practicum instructor early in the rotation if expectations are not being met. Evaluation results should never come as a surprise at the end of a rotation.
  • Complete required supervised practice documentation in a timely manner.
  • Serve as a positive role model.
  • Participate in preceptor training:
    • Read the preceptor handbook
    • Complete online training (Appendix B) and self‑assessment tool (Appendix C)
    • Attend university training sessions
    • Note: ACEND updated the online training in 2023. If you completed it prior to 2023, you may retake it to earn CEUs. The training provides 8 CPEUs at no cost.
  • Protect student privacy by adhering to FERPA. Refer to the graduate bulletin for the complete policy.
Responsibilities of Practicum Instructors in Supervised Practice
  • Communicate promptly any changes in procedures, curriculum, rotation descriptions, or competencies/learning outcomes to both preceptors and students.
  • Monitor student progress using competency evaluation forms.
  • Address concerns raised by preceptors or students in a timely and professional manner.
  • Conduct regular site visits to engage with preceptors and students.
  • Incorporate preceptor feedback into ongoing program assessment and improvement.
  • Collaborate with preceptors to develop solutions and alternatives when challenges arise.
Practicum Rotation Timeline
  • ➡️ Practicum I (NSP 6123) – 3 credit hours
    School and long-term care food service
    Onsite Hours: 180
  • ➡️ Practicum II (NSP 6223) – 3 credit hours
    Hospital food service
    Onsite Hours: 180
  • ➡️ Practicum III (NSP 6323) – 3 credit hours
    Community nutrition practice
    Onsite Hours: 180
  • ➡️ Practicum IV (NSP 6424) – 4 credit hours
    Clinical practice in long-term care and hospital settings
    Onsite Hours: 270
  • ➡️ Practicum V (NSP 6524) – 4 credit hours
    Clinical practice in hospital and outpatient settings
    Onsite Hours: 270

Total Supervised Practice: 17 credit hours (1,080 onsite hours)

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