Position Overview:
Directs, manages, and facilitates ACEND accredited Dietetic Internship program at U.C.O. Oversees, evaluates, and manages dietetic internship student recruitment and supervision. Recruits and facilitates agreements with sites and schedules student experiences with preceptors. Ensures the program follows the guidelines, specifications, policy and procedures are enforced and followed. Provide direct oversight and vision for the programs technological or educational needs and goals. Provides information to and facilitates communication between administrators, faculty, staff, and students concerning program/services. Maintains relevant databases to ensure accurate and accessible records. Prepare reports summarizing statistical data or describing program objectives and accomplishments. Performs needs-assessment, planning, data collection and analysis in order to make continual improvement to on-going programs. May develop, design, and or coordinate curriculum and requirements for the program. Secures funds through annual budget, grant writing or other means.
Department Specific Essential Job Functions:
The program director responsibilities must include but are not limited to:
1. Provision or delegation of responsibilities to assure year-round coverage of director responsibilities in the absence of the director or in cases where the director's full-time appointment does not cover all 12 months. In programs where the program director assigns some responsibilities to other individuals, the director must ensure that all program director responsibilities are accomplished throughout the year.
2. Development of policies and procedures for effectively managing all components of the program and to ensure fair, equitable and considerate treatment of prospective and enrolled students/interns (such as program admission, retention and completion policies).
3. Intern recruitment, advisement, evaluation and counseling.
4. Maintenance of program accreditation, including: - Timely submission of fees, reports and requests for major program changes; - Maintenance of the program's student/intern records, including student advising plans and verification statements; - Maintenance of complaints about the program received from students/interns or others, including disposition of the complaint; - On-going review of program's curriculum to meet the accreditation standards; - Communication and coordination with program faculty, preceptors and others involved with the program; - Facilitation of processes for continuous program evaluation and student learning outcomes assessment, and; - Timely submission of required documentation supporting the graduate's eligibility for a Commission on Dietetic Registration credentialing exam.
This position carries a minimum instructional load of 6 credit hours per semester and a minimum instructional support load of 3 credit hours per semester for service and scholarly activities. The primary responsibility for this role is teaching. This role comprises more than 50% of its time teaching (including prep time) and providing instructional support. Teaches six to nine credit hours each semester. Coordinates placement and evaluation of dietetic interns. Develops curriculum and system assessments. Serves as liaison in developing new internship sites. Evaluates preceptor effectiveness and provide necessary training. Receives and responds to inquiries about the program. Establishes informational programs for undergraduates seeking internship placement. Administers the application review process from selection of each intern class (twice per year). Attends professional meetings to represent the program. Counsels with students throughout the program. Coordinates the Portfolio Review/Evaluation process for each class. Provides review courses and necessary study programs for the registration examination for dietitians. Administers an exam review course to graduates to assist the program in meeting the 80% pass rate objective specified by the ACEND Accreditation Standards. Oversees an application workshop to ensure the best interns are accepted into the program at UCO. Enforces necessary curriculum and a system of assessment and evaluation of competency to meet ACEND standards. Plans, organizes, and trains preceptors for onsite experiences for interns. Performs other related duties as assigned.
Qualifications/Experience Required:
The program director must:
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Have earned at least a master's degree.
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Be credentialed as a registered dietitian nutritionist by the Commission on Dietetic Registration.
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Have a minimum of three years professional experience post credentialing.
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Be a full-time employee of the sponsoring institution as defined by the institution, or a full-time employee of another organization that has been contracted by the sponsoring institution.
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Not direct another ACEND-accredited nutrition and dietetics education program.
Must have a valid driver's license, clean driving record, and be able to operate a typical motor vehicle.
Qualifications/Experience Preferred:
Must be Registered Dietitian, eligible for licensure in the state of Oklahoma. Membership required with the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Background in clinical dietetics as well as teaching experience in higher education. Currently active in state and local dietetics associations and have relationships with Oklahoma City metropolitan area Dietitians. Experience with ACEND accreditation requirements and standards is preferred.
Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:
Excellent oral and written communication, interpersonal, human relations, public relations, networking and organizational skills. Computer proficiency preferably in Microsoft Office. Ability to work independently, handle multiple tasks simultaneously, and interact professionally with all segments of the University community. Ability to maintain confidentiality. Ability to make policy and procedure decisions. Must be detail-oriented and organized. Capacity for growth and leadership.
Physical Demands:
Reasonable accommodations (in accordance with ADA requirements) may be made, upon request, to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.
