Technical Standards
These technical standards are provided to applicants to the combined MS/DI program to facilitate understanding of the profession of dietetics and its requirements.
In order to successfully complete the combined program and thereby be prepared for dietetics practice, students must possess or develop abilities and skills in the areas of sensation, communication, motor function, intellectual capability, and behavioral/social proficiency. All dietetic interns must be able to perform in an independent manner and are expected to present appropriate academic credentials. The following skills are required.
Sensation
Students must possess sufficient visual, auditory, and tactile sensation
to receive appropriate information in the classroom, laboratory, and clinical
settings. Sensation must be sufficient to receive verbal and nonverbal
information while interviewing patients and to perform inspection and
palpation techniques necessary for complete nutritional assessment of
the client.
Communication
Students must be able to communicate effectively with patients, family
members, and other clinicians. This includes expressive and receptive
modes of verbal, nonverbal, and written communication. Further, it includes
the ability to accurately assess receptive communications in order to
make appropriate and timely responses. Finally, it includes the ability
to listen with attention, empathy, and sensitivity.
Motor function
Students must have sufficient strength and coordination to perform the
activities required of a dietitian in both clinical and foodservice activities.
These include sufficient coordination to move about patient care environments,
strength to lift 50 pounds, and dexterity to operate equipment in a commercial
kitchen. Students must have sufficient stamina to sit, stand, or move
about classroom, laboratory, kitchen, and patient care areas for as long
as 10 hours at a time.
Intellectual capability
Clinical problem solving, a critical ability for dietitians, encompasses
abilities to accurately measure, calculate, reason, analyze, integrate,
learn, and retain information and make decisions in a timely manner. Students
must be able to comprehend two- and three-dimensional structures. They
must be able to understand diagnostic testing and treatment regimens.
Behavioral/social
proficiency
Students must possess the ability to establish and maintain appropriate
professional relationships. Factors included in this requirement are the
abilities to prioritize competing demands, to function in stressful circumstances,
to exercise good clinical judgment, to act ethically, and to be compassionate,
empathetic, responsible, and tolerant toward patients and other health
care professionals.
