Information for Enrolled Students

Policies and Procedures

Required Supervised Practice Hours

The Nutrition and Dietetics program requires 450 hours of Supervised Practice rotations at approved and contracted off-campus facilities. This experience is completed concurrently with classroom coursework. Internships provide students with hands-on application of knowledge and skills learned in the classroom and laboratory. See the Nutrition and Dietetics Program Handbook for full details.

Requirements for Starting Supervised Practice

Prior to starting supervised practice, copies of the following must be provided to the Program Director:

Full Allied Health physical, including immunizations, vaccinations, and TB test (COVID-19 may also be required).
Background check, with drug screen
Proof of student liability insurance
Signature page of the School of Allied Health Student Manual
Signature page of Nutrition and Dietetics Program Handbook
Specific sites may request additional requirements

Insurance Requirements

Prior to starting supervised practice, students are required to purchase professional liability insurance from HPSO. The insurance has an approximate cost of $28 per year. Your program instructor will provide more information before you begin internship courses. See the School of Allied Health Program Handbook for full details. Liability for travel to and from internship sites is the responsibility of the student.

Injury

Should an injury occur while in a facility for supervised practice, the student should follow the workers compensation process as outlined in the Allied Health Student Injury Protocol.

Illness

Notify the clinical preceptor and the program coordinator when you will be absent or late, due to illness, transportation issues, family emergency or any other reason. Notify the clinical preceptor and the program coordinator if you must leave the facility early due to illness, family emergency or any other reason. See the Nutrition and Dietetics Program Handbook for full details.

Drug testing and criminal background checks

Prior to starting supervised practice, students are required to complete a background check and drug screen. The approximate one-time cost is $126. Your program instructor will provide more information before you begin internship courses. Full details of screening are available in the School of Allied Health Student Manual. If requested by the clinical site, the results of the background/drug checks must be provided to them by the student.

Student Conduct and Compensation

Students are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner at all times. While students are assigned a variety of tasks and activities to practice professional and practical skills, they are not used to replace employees. Students are not compensated for supervised practice. Refer to the Nutrition and Dietetics Program Handbook for the Student Conduct and Evaluation policy.

Complaints

Students or preceptors who wish to file a complaint about the program should follow the procedure outlined in the Nutrition and Dietetics Program Handbook. The handbook also outlines the procedure for filing a complaint to ACEND if all other options with the program and college have been exhausted.

Credit for Prior Learning

The program will consider granting credit for prior supervised practice hours completed through other accredited dietetics programs. The student is responsible for initiating a review of prior supervised practice through the Orange Coast College Academic Petition process. The student must schedule an appointment with an academic counselor who initiates the petition form.

Assessment of Student Learning

Students are assessed in their didactic courses throughout the semester. Instructors use a variety of methods to assess learning outcomes, such as projects, presentations, and exams. Students are required to pass all courses with a grade of 'C' or higher. Instructors report on student performance and progress through assignment grades, exam grades, verbal/written comments and communications. Students at risk of not earning the required grade are encouraged to meet with their instructor to create a plan for success.

For supervised practice courses, students meet with their OCC instructor once per week. Students are required to submit weekly work logs outlining their progress on hours and competencies. The weekly work logs are used to track supervised practice hours at assigned internship sites, and at alternate practice activities such as Science Night.

A formal assessment of student learning is completed at the end of each supervised practice site, using the Competency Record and Student Performance Evaluation forms. Students will be evaluated at the midpoint of each supervised practice on attitudinal behaviors, professional strengths, and areas for improvement by the preceptor and program director. Students may be withdrawn for serious issues.

Retention and Remediation

Students have access to tutorial support through the Orange Coast College Student Success Center. Students with minimal chances of success in the program, as demonstrated through unsuccessful supervised practice or coursework, are given the opportunity to complete another nutrition certificate.

Discipline and Termination from the Program

The Nutrition and Dietetics Program Handbook outlines the conditions that may cause withdrawal from the internship site. In addition, the School of Allied Health Student Manual covers disciplinary and termination procedures.

Graduation and/or Program Requirements

To graduate from the Nutrition and Dietetics Technician program and obtain a Verification of Program of Completion statement from the program director, students must successfully complete the following:

General education course requirements satisfying the Associate of Science Degree
All Required program courses with a grade of ‘C’ or better
A minimum of 450 hours of supervised practice in community agencies and health care facilities.
A portfolio of accomplishments
The Nutrition and Dietetics Technician, Registered Practice Exam, administered by Orange Coast College Dietetic Technician Program instructors, with a 75% score or better.

At this time, the program does not have a maximum amount of time allotted for program completion. The program is designed to be completed in 2 years, attending full time. However, students can take courses part-time. Please also refer to the Nutrition and Dietetics Technician, Associate in Science Degree requirements

Verification Statements

All students completing OCC’s Nutrition and Dietetics Technician program requirements will receive verification statements and are submitted to CDR for eligibility for the DTR examination. After the Program Director confirms that the student has met all program requirements, verification statements are emailed to students within 45 days of program completion.

Distance Education

Some courses in the program may only be offered via distance (online) education. There are no additional fees per credit hour. In an online course, students work independently using their own devices and technology. Regular access to a computer and internet connection is required. Students should be familiar with using web browsers and simple applications.

Because it is a different way of learning, OCC offers support for online learners through the Instructional Innovation Center. All students are entitled to a technology loan if they do not have access to a computer or Internet services, while supplies last. Distance learning students can utilize all of the college's support services such as the Accessibility Resource Center, career center, academic advising, and tutoring virtually or in person.

Student Verification for Distance Education or Online Testing

All students that use online resources, including the learning management system for coursework, will be required to register for multi-factor authentication. Multi-factor authentication (MFA) is a security process that requires more than one method of authentication from independent sources to verify the user’s identity. A student is given access to their account only after providing two or more pieces of information uniquely identifying them. Some instructors may choose to use additional security software for testing, such as Respondus Lockdown Browser.

Withdrawal and refund of tuition and fees

The Dietetic Technician Program adheres to the Student Manual of Allied Health, ‘Termination of Program’ and the refund policy of OCC.

Program schedule, vacations, holidays, and leaves of absence

The Dietetic Technician Program schedule and holidays follow the Academic Calendar of OCC. There are no vacations during the academic semesters. Students are expected to schedule their vacations during summer or winter breaks. The Program’s policy for leaves of absence adheres to the Student Manual of Allied Health, ‘Policies for Extended Absences’.

Protection of privacy and access to student information

Students’ information is confidentiality maintained by the Program Director. Students have access to their Complio account, the clinical onboarding program used for the School of Allied Health Programs, at any time. Students may also request access to their student file from the Program Director.

Access to Support Services

All students have access to support services, including basic needs, health services, counseling, tutoring and testing, and financial aid resources. Students may refer to OCC’s Services and Support webpage which provides information for student support services.

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