What is a Preceptor?

A preceptor is an expert or specialist, such as a Registered Dietitian/Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, who provides guidance, practical experience and training to a Dietetic Intern.  A preceptor should be someone involved with the field of nutrition and dietetics, who is in a position to guide a prospective dietetic intern experience in the internship at the local level (where you live).

A Preceptor and Facility Form for each preceptor and facility MUST be completed and submitted with your application, except for preceptors listed on the UNC Master Preceptor List. Preceptors on the UNC Master Preceptor List are not required to complete a Preceptor and Facility Form. Instead, a Preceptor can write a memorandum stating willingness to precept you. 

• What are the responsibilities of a preceptor?

  Evaluate every intern’s progress, model evidence-based practice and professional behavior, complete documentation during the rotation, provide assistance, set appropriate goals, and facilitate learning activities that support the required competencies.

• Who can be a preceptor?
  • Registered Dietitians Nutritionists  (RD / RDN)
  • Licensed Dietitians (LD)
  • Certified Dietitians (CDN)
  • Nutritionists 
  • Registered Nurses (RN)
  • Nurse Practitioners (NP)
  • Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS)
  • Physician Associates (PA)
  • Food Service Directors (Schools, Hospitals, Long-term Care Facilities, Youth/Adult Correctional facilities)
  • Licensed Social Workers/Psychologists (ex: someone who works with eating disorder, weight management, terminally ill patients, feeding specialists in pediatrics)
  • Certified Diabetes Educators
  • Health and Wellness educators/facilitators(ex: Sodexo)
  • Administrators (such as in LTC facilities) 
  • Medical Doctors
  • Professionals who work at local community organizations such as United Way, food banks, Salvation Army, non-profit organizations that serve community members and/or provide nutrition education, campus fitness centers (can fulfill competencies 2.1-2.13)
  • Researchers in the field of Nutrition 
  • Board Certified Specialist in Gerontological Nutrition (CSG), Sports Dietetics (CSSD), Renal Nutrition (CSR), Pediatric Nutrition (CSP)
  • Dialysis Center Employees
• What are the minimum qualifications for preceptors:
  • It is highly encouraged to seek Registered Dietitians as preceptors and is a requirement for your clinical rotation but for your other rotations it is not mandatory.
  • For the clinical rotation (Inpatient and Outpatient) you MUST have a RD/RDN as a preceptor
  • Preceptors must be able to document appropriate continuing education for the previous two years.
  • Sufficient variety in the overall combination of facilities must be available to support the breadth and depth of experiences required by the ACEND Accreditation Standards
  • Preceptor must provide educational resources to support an intern (resume on file).
  • Preceptors must have adequate time to provide required supervision of the student.
  • For any preceptor having supervisory responsibility for the intern or verification of work completed, Preceptor and Facility forms must be submitted. They are available in the Application Process.
• How many preceptors do you need?

  You will need a minimum of 3 preceptors.

  Ideally you will have a minimum of one preceptor for each rotation.

  Your concentration area is separate from your clinical, foodservice, and community, therefore it is best to secure a different preceptor for those hours and ideally it will be with an RD/RDN.

• How can you find a preceptor? 
  • If you are applying to the UNC DI, or are currently an MSDI student, email dietetic.internship@unco.edu to receive UNC's list of preceptors. 
  • Discuss with your academic professor’s, your DPD program director, advisors.
  • Ask previous interns for assistance and suggestions.
  • If you have contacted a preceptor and have a rapport with them, ask if they have suggestions.
  • Email/cold call, be creative.  However, prior to contacting a potential preceptor, make sure you read about the facility, what they have to offer, who the contact person is so you can address them by their first and last name. Do NOT email or call without being prepared.
  • Contact previous employers, where you have volunteered, etc….
  • The accrediting body of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics maintains a list of RDs who have indicated that they are willing to be Preceptors.  You may find the list on the Find a Preceptor link on eatright.org if you are a Student Member.
  •  Attend local conferences, meetings, community events and network.  Introduce yourself to nutrition professionals and ask if it would be ok to contact them regarding a potential rotation.