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Dietetic Internship Program

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VA Sierra Nevada Health Care System

Application Procedures

The VASNHCS program participates in the Spring DICAS application process. Our application period began August 5th, 2024. Applications must be received and completed in DICAS by January 15th, 2025 at 11:59pm Central Standard Time (CST).

This program uses the on-line centralized internship application, DICAS, which may be accessed at http://dicas.liaisoncas.com beginning in August 5th for the Spring 2025-2026 Application; Customer service can be e-mailed at DICASinfo@Dicas.org. The on-line application must be completed for our program by 11:59 p.m. CST by the January 15, 2025 program deadline. The fee to use DICAS is $50 for the first application submitted and $25 for each additional application. No paper applications will be accepted.

As part of the application process you will be asked to complete a personal statement in 1,000 words or less.  

Please address the following questions in your personal statement:

  • Why are you specifically interested in the VA Sierra Nevada Health Care System Dietetic Internship Program? What makes you a 'fit' for our program? Be specific. Sell yourself. Please do not send us a generic personal statement.
  • Why do you want to enter the dietetics profession?
  • What are some experiences that have helped to prepare you for your career?
  • What are your short-term and long-term goals?
  • What are your strengths? What areas do you feel you need to improve in?

Important application notes:

  • Please note: The DPD verification statement remains a requirement for application.
  • If you are a veteran, please notate this on your application under personal information.
  • When completing your work and volunteer history, please include everything even though you are also submitting a resume. This section of the application asks for more detail than your resume includes.
  • References may be from two professors (including the DPD director) and one work supervisor; however you may use alternate references with approval from the VASNHCS DI Director. Please call with questions.
  • The VA requires all VHA Health Care Personnel, which includes Dietetic Interns, be vaccinated for COVID-19. Otherwise interns may not be able to complete this program. 

Registered Dietitian Nutritionist Eligibility:

Please note starting with the Fall 2023 cohort of interns, a Master's degree will be required for admission to meet the change in standards to be eligible to sit for the RD exam.

Send all official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended to DICAS Transcript Dept., PO Box 9118, Watertown MA 02472.

When completing the DICAS application form, applicants must include the name and contact information (specifically an e-mail address) for each reference. This will trigger an e-mail message requesting completion of a reference form. The form will be completed on-line.

Special Instructions for this internship: 
The VASNHCS DI Program is committed to providing equal opportunity to qualified persons for employment and for any educational programs. There is no discrimination with regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, handicap or national origin. Applicants must meet the following requirements to be considered for admission into the VASNHCS DI program:

  • Completion of a master's degree prior to the start of dietetic internship.
  • Applicants must have a DPD Verification Statement demonstrating completion of an accredited ACEND program.
  • Applicants MUST be a US citizen to apply for the VASNHCS Dietetic Internship.
  • Males MUST have registered for selective service or be exempt to be eligible to apply to this program. If matched to our program, males will be required to provide verification of their status through Selective Service Online Registration Search.
  • If your DPD requirements were completed greater than 5 years ago you must also provide a transcript which includes six or more recent credit hours from Advanced Level Nutrition or Medical Nutrition Therapy classes to meet our programs Recency of Education requirements.

The internship program will accept maximum of four interns Fall of 2025. A selection committee will review your application. We do not charge an application fee or tuition. You must be a United States Citizen to apply for this internship. Upon appointment to the internship, interns must submit proof of health insurance, immunization records and provide documentation of an employment physical examination by their personal health care provider. Drug testing is not done at this time for dietetic interns; however background checks and fingerprinting will be done prior to starting the internship and is paid for by the VA. Please contact the Internship Director, Lauren Kester, MS, RD, CDCES, at Lauren.Kester@va.gov with any questions about the program. 

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