2021 - 2022 COM Student Handbook

Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine (KPCOM)—Department of Nutrition 2021–2022 312 I. Leave of Absence RDN students are required by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) standards for supervised professional practice and to achieve the competencies listed in the Standards of Education for entry-level dietitians before they can be issued a Verification Statement, and thus, be eligible for the national Registration Examination for Dietitian Nutritionists. Because unexpected life situations arise and illnesses and accidents do occur, this policy is in place to provide direction related to personal leave of students in the professional practice concentration who need time away from the RDN program to attend to matters that impact their individual lives, that are unrelated to their program, and that significantly interfere with their ability to meet their practice responsibilities. If injury or illness occurs, the student must provide documentation to the program director indicating the severity or extent of the injury/illness, including any required work limitations. If a leave of absence is indicated, the student should submit a written request to the program director. If the student is unable to personally contact the program director, the student may designate someone to make such contact on his or her behalf. The written request should indicate a date when the student will meet with the program director to discuss reentry into RDN program. In the case of a medical leave of absence, the student will be required to submit a physician’s release before returning to the program. Timely completion of the program, following an approved leave of absence, is within one year from the program start date. Once a leave of absence is established, specific arrangements will be made on an individual basis in coordination with the program director. The student’s accomplishments to date will be evaluated and a written plan for completion will be determined. The written plan for completion will include, but is not limited to • the number of program hours completed • specific rotations, assignments, projects, and competencies successfully completed, and preceptor evaluations of the student’s work and capabilities • the number of required hours remaining to meet the standards set • specific rotations, assignments, projects, and competencies required to be successfully completed by the student • the plan also will take into consideration the availability of preceptors to work with the student, as well as the reasonable expectation that the student will successfully complete the program J. Professionalism The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and its credentialing agency, the Commission on Dietetic Registration, believe it is in the best interest of the profession and the public it serves to have a Code of Ethics in place that provides guidance to dietetics practitioners in their professional practice and conduct. The Code of Ethics can be found at eatright.org/healthprofessionals/content.aspx?id=6868 . Students in RDN program will abide by this professional standard.