Arizona WIC Track

This track allows the WIC staff to work toward completion of internship competencies while retaining their employment with their WIC agency.

What types of Practicum Experiences are offered by the AZ WIC Internship Track?

Our AZ WIC Dietetic Internship Track will offer the same curriculum as the Full-Time program for an internship class of four. The AZ WIC Track will begin in mid-August with a completion date in the first week of July. Interns participating in this track will be exposed to a wide variety of nutrition services from metropolitan and rural areas of Arizona. Opportunities are provided to interact with individuals and groups from multi-ethnic backgrounds representing all ages and levels of education. Community, clinical, and food services experiences offered will challenge interns to integrate knowledge gained from dedicated study with opportunities for practice and application.

Practice sites for the AZ WIC Track Dietetic Internship will be determined based on the geographic location of the candidates selected. Travel to areas around the state will be required for some rotations.

Because of the great diversity among the residents in Maricopa County, interns able to speak Spanish are highly valued by the rotation sires. However, the ability to speak Spanish is not a requirement for admission into the internship program.

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What are the Admission Requirements?

• Completion of a baccalaureate or Master's degree from an accredited college or university.

• Completion of the required academic Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) course work or verification of intent to complete *

• Cumulative grade point average of 2.8 or greater on a 4.0 scale preferred

• Currently employed in any contracted Arizona WIC Local Agency

• At least one year of full-time employment in a contracted Arizona WIC Local Agency

* Additional course work is required to update DPD coursework if completed five or more years prior to application to this dietetic internship.

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What are the applicant's responsibilities involved in the application process?

Please refer to the MCDPHDI AZ WIC Track Application Checklist

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What are the selection criteria?

Candidates application packets will be reviewed by a selection committee and scores assigned for grade point average, DPD grade point average, work experience, letters of recommendation, honors and activities, and applicant's responses in the personal statement. Grade point averages and quality and quantity of dietetic related work experience are given significant consideration. The selection committee may ask applicants to participate in an interview.

The ability to speak a language in addition to English is beneficial to working within the local community. It is not a program requirement in the selection process.

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What is the timeline if applying to the 2012-2013 AZ WIC Track?

Please refer to the MCDPHDI AZ WIC Track 2012-2013 Application Timeline - UPDATED!

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What does the program cost?

Total program costs will vary according to the needs and lifestyles of each individual. Food, housing, and transportation expenses are variable and the responsibility of the student. Interns must provide their own health and professional liability insurance in order to participate in the program. Arizona law does require drivers to carry automobile insurance and Arizona residents to have annual emission inspection completed on their vehicle.

• Application Fee
  $52.00

• Program costs that are applicable if the applicant is accepted to the internship; proof required first day of internship

• Student Professional Liability Insurance
  $35.00

• ADA Associate Membership
  $50.00

• Arizona District Dietetic Association - Central Membership
  $25.00

• Text book/journals
  $75.00

• Fingerprint Clearance Card and Criminal Background Check
  $69.00

• Urine Drug Screen Panel
  $50.00

• CPR Certification
  $45.00

• Health Insurance (varies)

• Flu Shot (varies per insurance coverage)

• Hepatitis B Series (varies per insurance coverage)

• MMR and TB Skin Test (varies per insurance coverage)

 

• Average cost of living expenses, etc.

 

• Gasoline/month
  $150.00 - $200.00 per month estimate

• Housing: 1 bedroom apt./month (varies)
  $650.00 - $750.00

• Vehicle Emissions Inspection Fee
  $15.00

• Ink Cartridges for home printing
  $100(estimate)

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What is the program schedule?

The AZ WIC Dietetic Internship program begins in mid-August and is completed by the first week in July. Vacation times is scheduled near the end of December which includes Christmas and New Year's Day. Other holidays honored are Martin Luther King Day, President's Day, Memorial Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day, and Veteran's Day.

Affiliate Rotations will be determined based on the geographic location of the intern. However, some travel is necessary.

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What are entrance requirements for matched applicants?

Applicants matched to a dietetic internship must accept or reject the match within 24 hours of Notification Day.

Candidates matched with the program will need to complete the Hepatitis B series to participate. The series should be initiated in May to allow adequate time to complete the immunizations prior to program initiation in August.

Additional documentation required at the start of the dietetic internship:

• Statement of good health to participate in the program from a medical provider

• Documentation of TB (PPD)Skin Test

• Documentation of two rubeola and one rubella vaccinations, or positive rubeola and rubella titers

• Documentation of varicella exposure or positive varicella immune titer

• Evidence of current tetanus toxoid (within the past ten years)

• Evidence of a seasonal flu shot (at the beginning of flu season)

• Completed criminal background check and a state sex offender search

• Membership in ADA

• Membership in the Arizona Dietetic Association - Central

• Professional Student Liability Insurance - $1,000,000 per occurrence/$3,000,000 aggregate

• Health Insurance

• Automobile Insurance

• Driver's License

• Signed verification statement of the Didactic Program in Dietetics

• Official transcripts showing completion of degree

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