Dietetics Practicum

• Program: Dietetics
• Pathway: Health Science

Placements

Your instructor determines your placements. The options depend on the availability of preceptors and supervised practice facilities.

All supervised practice facilities must:

• Have qualified preceptors
• Meet program requirements
• Have a current affiliation agreement with TCC

Practicum students are not employees and do not receive compensation from the facility.

Schedule

You must complete a minimum of 12–14 practicum hours per week.

Typical practicum hours:

• Days: Wednesday & Friday
• Times: 8 a.m.–5 p.m.

Some facilities may require earlier or later hours depending on hours of operation. 

Attendance & Punctuality

Strict attendance in supervised practice courses is necessary to satisfactorily accomplish the objectives of the courses and to avoid detracting from or interrupting the ongoing work of the facility.

Make-up work is often difficult to so you are responsible for:

• Being available for practicum during practicum hours
• Having reliable transportation
• Being flexible with site placement

Dress Code

You must follow dress code as stated in the TCC Dietetics Program Student Handbook.

Requirements

Before Your Practicum

CPR Certification

Current Texas Healthcare Provider CPR Certification

ServSafe Certification

CHEF-1305 Sanitation & Safety offers the opportunity to take the ServSafe Manager Certification

Food Handler Card

The permit is specific for the city of the practicum site. You may be required to get 1 or more permits depending on your practicum sites.

You may attend the training provided by the health department or through one of the following online programs:

• State Food Safety: Food Handler Training
• Texas Food Handlers Card
• Texas Food Handler Course

Health and Car Insurance

TCC does not offer College-sponsored student health insurance.

Criminal Background Check/Drug Screening

You must undergo and pass a criminal background check and a drug screening before starting Practicum classes.

These screenings will be administered through the College and will be at your expense. There are no exceptions.

Immunizations

The Texas Administrative Code (TAC) requires the following immunizations or proof of serologic immunity of the diseases prior to direct patient contact.

The Dallas-Fort Worth Hospital Council also places requirements on students to assure the safety of both the students and the patients they encounter. You must be immunized before enrolling in coursework where direct patient contact is a component.

• Tetanus-Diphtheria–1 dose within the past 10 years
• Measles/Rubeola–2 doses since 12 months of age
• Mumps–1 dose since 12 months of age
• Rubella–1 dose since 12 months of age
• Hepatitis B–a complete 3-dose series or proof of immunity prior to beginning direct patient care (Clinical Practicum)
• Varicella–1 dose of varicella (chickenpox) vaccine on or after your first birthday
  • If the first dose was administered on or after your 13th birthday–2 doses of varicella (chickenpox) vaccine
• Additional Hospital Requirements
  • Influenza–once yearly
  • TB Skin Test–once a year
    (If skin test is positive, a documented negative chest X-ray by physician is required.)

Signed Waiver and Indemnity Agreement

You are required to sign a release of College and facility liability in the case of accident or injury before reporting to the facility for the first day: Waiver and Indemnity Agreement (PDF)Listen.

Physical Requirements

Practicum / supervised practice courses involve active participation in activities such as quantity food production in institutional kitchens and the delivery of certain patient nutrition care functions in healthcare facilities. 

Inherent in successful performance is the physical ability to:

• Lift heavy objects of up to 25 pounds for women and 35 pounds for men, such as:
  • Pans of food
  • Cases
  • Bulk-packed food
  • Some activities may involve repetitive lifting, such as loading food carts
• Push equipment, such as loaded carts or tray racks
• Handle sharp equipment or utensils, such as:
  • Knives
  • Commercial slicers
• Work with hot items, such as:
  • Pans of food
  • Hot surfaces, such as grills, steamers and kettles
• Stretch, such as:
  • Putting up or pulling stock
  • Loading or unloading dish machines
  • Assembling food trays
• Stand or sit for long periods of time
• Move yourself, such as moving between patient rooms, work stations and units, which may involve going up and down stairs
• Carry materials, such as:
  • Papers
  • Books
  • Charts
  • Food items
• Hear, use your hands skillfully, speak and see for tasks such as:
  • Screening for malnutrition risk
  • Interviewing and teaching individual patients or classes
  • Entering data into a computer
  • Documenting medical records

If You Have Physical Limitations

It is your responsibility to notify your instructor of physical limitations that might interfere with meeting course requirements.

If you are not able to participate in all class activities due to physical disability, injury or limitations, you will be required to provide a doctor's statement explaining your limitations before going to the practicum facility for the first time. Because you may be in areas where emergency situations arise, you must be able to move quickly to avoid interfering with access of other health care providers. However, nonparticipation, regardless of the reason, may be reflected in your performance appraisal.

Contact

Updated August 02, 2024