Professional Practice Requirements
Note: For updates on changes to health and safety requirements refer to the Faculty of Agricultural, Life and Environmental Sciences website.
Immunization
See University Infectious Diseases Regulation .
Police Information Check
Under the Protection for Persons in Care Act, all students going to any clinical placement in Alberta are required to complete a Police Information Check (also known as a Criminal Record Check, Security Clearance Check, or Police Clearance), which must include a Vulnerable Sector Check. Clinical agencies/practice sites may require additional background checks, such as a Child Intervention Record Check. Students will be advised if a clinical agency/practice site requires any additional background checks. This includes students in the Dietetic Specialization who are placed in any of these designated agencies.
The host agency will determine the criteria for acceptance/denial of an intern placement. Students enrolled in the Dietetic Specialization are responsible for having a Police Information Check completed prior to commencement of their professional practice placements. See Requirement for Police Information Checks for more information on the general requirements concerning Police Information Checks and the fees associated with them.
Students who have concerns related to their ability to provide a clear Police Information Checks should consult with the Director, Dietetic Internship immediately upon being admitted to the program.
The ultimate responsibility for ensuring that the requirements of a placement site are met lies with the student. Students should be aware that in addition to the Police Information Check, other background checks may be required by a placement agency, such as a child intervention record check. Students will be advised if any additional background checks are required by a clinical agency.
Respiratory Mask Fit Testing
Prior to all clinical practice placements, students must be fitted for N95 Respiratory Masks in accordance with the contractual placement agreements with Alberta Health Services and other placement sites. These masks are worn when caring for patients with highly infectious diseases. The Faculty of Agricultural, Life and Environmental Sciences coordinates mask fit testing and will notify students of fitting dates. A fee may be charged for mask fit testing. This fee is the responsibility of the student.
Professional Ethics, Standards of Practice or Care, Policies and Procedures
All students enrolled in the Dietetics Specialization are bound by, and shall comply with the Professional Codes of Ethics governing the profession and practice of Dietetics, as well as the policies and procedures of the placement site and those of the Dietetics Specialization:
- “Professional Codes of Ethics” means the current College of Dietitians of Alberta’s Code of Ethics for Registered Dietitians and Registered Nutritionists, as well as all other relevant professional codes and practice standards for Registered Dietitians.
- It is the responsibility of all students enrolled in the Dietetics Specialization to obtain, and be familiar with, such Professional Codes of Ethics, and their amendments as may be made from time to time.
- Students enrolled in professional practice placement courses are required to follow the administrative procedures and regulations (including dress requirements) of the placement site. Students are responsible for their transportation to practice placements and for the costs of travel and accommodations.
- For current information on the policies and procedures of the Dietetics Specialization, refer to the Faculty of Agricultural, Life and Environmental Sciences website.
Practicum Intervention Policy
The Dean, or supervisor acting on behalf of the Dean, may immediately deny assignment of a student to, withdraw a student from, or vary terms, conditions or site of a practicum/clinical placement if the Dean or supervisor has reasonable grounds to believe that this is necessary in order to protect the public interest (See Practicum Intervention Policy ). For unprofessional, incompetent or unsafe practice on the part of the student not directly related to medical issues, the transcript will reflect the practices and sanctions delineated in the Student Conduct Policy and Student Academic Integrity Policy . The student has the right to appeal the Dean’s decision to the GFC Practice Review Board (PRB).
Clinical and Professional Practice Performance
- Students must complete both theory and professional practice work in order to receive credit. Students who have not received a pass in the clinical/professional practice portion of a professional practice course are not given credit for the course and must repeat both the clinical and non-clinical portions of the course. The clinical component, explained in the course outline, must be completed for credit to be granted.
- A student who is absent more than one clinical day in any one clinical course may need to make up the lost time before being allowed to continue in the program.
- Students who fail the same professional practice course twice will be required to withdraw from the Specialization.
Rural Placement Requirement
All students enrolled in the Dietetics Specialization are required to relocate to rural centres across Alberta on one or more occasions during their professional practice course work in order to acquire an understanding of this setting.
- “Rural” is defined as towns or municipalities outside the commuting zone of larger urban centres (with 10,000 or more population).
- Access to transportation and accommodation is not considered in arranging rural professional practice placements. The student is responsible for transportation to and from work each day and for finding their own accommodation while engaged in all professional practice courses. All costs associated with relocation to rural centres are the responsibility of the student. This includes transportation, accommodations, food, clothing, and learning resources.
Academic Accommodations for Internship Placements
The Faculty of Agricultural, Life and Environmental Sciences follows the University of Alberta Duty to Accommodate procedure and makes all reasonable efforts to meet the disability-related needs of students enrolled in the Dietetics Specialization. Students with approved accommodations through the University of Alberta’s Duty to Accommodate procedure (as administered through the Academic Success Centre) are eligible for reasonable accommodations during professional practice courses. Please discuss your needs with your student advisor at least one full term prior to your planned start of your professional practice courses.