Orlando VA Dietetic Internship
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Application Information
The Orlando VA Healthcare System (OVAHCS) participates in the SPRING online centralized internship application, DICAS, which may be accessed at https://dicas.liaisoncas.com/. We will receive applications from November 18, 2024, to January 15, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. (Eastern Time). The fee to use DICAS is $50 for the first application submitted and $25 for each additional application. There is no separate application fee for applying to our internship program.
Admission Requirement
Orlando VA Healthcare System Dietetic Internship Program Admission Requirements
- United States Citizen.
- Completion of ACEND approved Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD).
- Graduate degree.
- A minimum cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.0 is preferred.
- Males MUST have registered for Selective Service or be exempt to be eligible to be admitted to the program.
- Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
- Student graduate more than 5 years before the application deadline, must submit the recent work experience and education form with their DICAS application.
Applying to the Orlando VA Healthcare System Dietetic Internship Program through DICAS includes the following materials:
- Complete the online centralized internship application through Dietetic Internship Centralized Application Services (DICAS) (https://portal.dicas.org).
- On the DICAS application, the applicant should specify the type of program applying: DI/Only Track: This option is designed for students who have completed a DPD program or are in the process of finishing it before the DIP and for students 1) with a master's degree or are in the process of finishing it before the DIP, OR 2) are enrolled in a master's degree program and have completed most of the graduate degree courses before starting the DIP in August. They need to provide evidence of completion or status of the master's degree through an official transcript.
- Resume or CV.
- Official transcript(s) from all universities and colleges attended should be sent to the below address. Note: this may take time and each applicant should allow plenty of time for transcripts to be received.
DICAS-Transcript Dept.
PO Box 9118
Watertown, Ma 02472
- Declaration of Intent to Complete a Degree and Didactic Program in Dietetics or Verification Statement of Program Completion.
- Three letters of recommendation uploaded to the DICAS website. References should include academic faculty, a work a supervisor reference and/or volunteer services. When completing the application, applicants must include their name and contact information (specifically an e-mail address) for three references. This will trigger an e-mail message requesting the completion of a reference form. The form will be completed online by your reference. Letters must have been written within the past 3 months. DO NOT send more than three letters.
- DD214 form if you are a Veteran.
- Letter of Application. Applicants will be asked to complete a personal statement in 1,000 words or less. This can count for your DICAS personal statement. Questions to be addressed in the personal statement include:
- What sparked your interest in the nutrition and dietetics field?
- Why are you interested in the Orlando VA Dietetic Internship program?
- List 3 goals you'd like to accomplish if you were accepted into this program
- Please identify and elaborate on your personal experiences, strengths, and values that would help you excel in the program.
- Candidates for admission will be scheduled for an interview with our selection committee via virtual interview (to be scheduled following review of complete application).
*A Selection Committee consisted of the dietetic internship director and staff dietitians who serve as preceptors, will review the application package. Candidates will be scored based on work experiences, volunteer experiences, letters of recommendation, academic achievements, and the personalized statement/letter of application. The best qualified-applicants will be contacted and virtual interviewed using the Performance-Based Interviewing method. No in-person/telephone interviews are conducted. It is highly recommended that applicants selected for an interview review the following website to learn about the Performance-Based Interview process and how to prepare for the interview. When reviewing these materials, focus on Level 1 and 2 examples. Applicant packets are retained for one year and thereafter shredded. No materials are returned or copied.
The Orlando VA Healthcare System Dietetic Internship is operated in a federal facility that is compliant with all federal laws and regulations guided by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission regarding diversity, equity and inclusion. Recruitment and admission policies of the internship program will comply with these laws and regulations and will not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, gender, national origin, disability, or age.
Link to information on performance-based interviewing: Performance Based Interviewing (PBI) Home (va.gov)
Appointment Procedure
- By March 1st, the DIP Director or their designee will email the notification letter. Make sure to add multiple email addresses to your DICAS application.
- This letter will indicate whether you have been accepted, waitlisted, or rejected. If you're on the waitlist, you'll receive a decision letter by March 16th.
- You have until March 15th to accept or reject the offer. Although you can send your decision as soon as you receive an offer, the deadline to submit your answer is March 15th.
- Applicants should contact Giselle M. Diaz Luquis, the Dietetic Internship Program Director, by email (giselle.diaz-luquis@va.gov) to accept or reject the offer.
- Please be mindful that once an applicant agrees to join our program, they are expected to uphold ethical and professional conduct. Kindly refer to the ACEND’s Dietetics Applicant and Program Code of Conduct and Traffic Rules (dietetics-code-of-conduct-and-traffic-rules.pdf (eatrightpro.org).
- Please note that the program reserves the right not to hold the spot for any applicant who does not accept the appointment by the required date and time.
- Males must have registered for Selective Service or be exempt from admission into the program. Males will be required to verify status through Selective Service Online Registration Search.
- An orientation meeting will be done during April to discuss all things related to the onboarding process.
