Mar 29, 2024  
2020-21 Gaston College Catalog 
    
2020-21 Gaston College Catalog [THIS CATALOG IS OUT-OF-DATE. USE THE CURRENT CATALOG TO FIND CURRENT PROGRAMS.]

Nutrition and Dietetics Technician, A.A.S. (A45860)


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The Nutrition and Dietetics Technician Program prepares individuals to promote optimal health through proper nutrition by providing personalized services to meet client’s needs, and ensure balanced diets. Nutrition and Dietetics Technicians work under the supervision of a registered, licensed dietitian. Graduates of the Nutrition and Dietetics Technician program are eligible for the national registration examination for Nutrition and Dietetics Technicians.

There are two (2) components to the Nutrition and Dietetics Technician courses: online and supervised practice. All course work is offered online via the Internet. Gaston College offers students within two-hours or 100 miles travel proximity to complete the supervised practice at Gaston College and facilities in the surrounding communities. Supervised practices completed under the supervision of someone other than Gaston College faculty must meet credentialing agencies requirements.

Course work includes content related to food, nutrition, communication, and management. The physical, biological, behavioral, and social sciences support these areas.

Employment opportunities include hospitals, correctional facilities, public health agencies, Meals on Wheels and community health programs, retirement centers, clinics, nursing homes, home healthcare programs, schools, child nutrition programs, wellness centers, medical offices, research facilities, food companies, contract food management companies, or foodservice vending and distribution operations.

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates will:

  1. Communicate and perform effectively as a health care professional to a diverse population.
  2. Demonstrate knowledge of social, physical and biological sciences.
  3. Incorporate and apply the dietary guidelines in the provision of services to the general population.
  4. Demonstrate a general understanding of research as it applies to dietetics.
  5. Apply basic food preparation skills.
  6. Develop basic menus for conditions such as hypertension, obesity, and cardiac.
  7. Perform nutrition screening for at-risk populations.
  8. Gather basic nutrition assessment information to assist the registered dietitian.
  9. Demonstrate knowledge of management principles required to deliver food and nutrition programs and services.
  10. Demonstrate knowledge of health care systems and community setting that deliver nutrition services.

Accreditation Status


The Nutrition and Dietetics Technician  Program at Gaston College received continual accreditation on August 12, 2016 from the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND). ACEND is the accrediting agency for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

Accreditation Agencies

Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND) Headquarters
120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2000
Chicago, Illinois 60606
800.877.1600

Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND)
800.877.1600, ext. 5400
Fax: 312.899.4817
acend@eatright.org

Commission on Dietetic Registration
The Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) is the credentialing agency for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. CDR also re-certifies a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) and Nutrition and Dietetics Technician, Registered (NDTR).

Approved Training Program for the Dietary Manager Certificate

Association of Nutrition & Foodservice Professionals (ANFP)
406 Surrey Woods Dr.
St. Charles, IL 60174
Tel: 800.323.1908
Fax: 630.587.6308

Admission Information


Admission to the general college does not guarantee admission to the Nutrition and Dietetics Technician Program. Applicants applying for admission to the Gaston College Nutrition and Dietetics Technician Program MUST meet the Gaston College admission requirements.

To be eligible to participate in the selective admission process, an applicant must complete the following application steps:

  1. Complete Residency Determination
  2. Submit a Gaston College application
  3. Apply for financial aid
  4. Meet with an advisor and/or attend an information session
  5. Submit official high school (and college, if applicable) transcripts
  6. Provide proof of course placement requirements:

Students must demonstrate readiness for College level reading and math. Students can demonstrate that readiness in the following ways:

  1. Provide proof of unweighted US High School GPA of 2.8 or higher within the last ten years.
  2. Provide proof of an associate or bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution.
  3. Provide proof of satisfactory scores on RISE, ACT, SAT, GED, NCDAP, COMPASS, ASSET or ACUPLACER within the last ten years.

Students who do not have recent high school transcripts or test scores within the past 10 years should prepare to take the placement test and demonstrate:

Mastery on RISE (Reinforced Instruction for Student Excellence) English placement Tier 2 and RISE Math placement Tier 2; OR successfully complete ENG 002 through TIER 2 (grade of P2) and MAT 003 through Tier 2 (grade of P2).

Selective Admission Criteria

The following criteria will be utilized by the Nutrition and Dietetics Technician Admissions Committee in the selection process of recommending qualified applicants for admission to the Nutrition and Dietetics Technician Program:

  • The total number of required general education courses completed (with a minimum grade of C) prior to submitting an application.
  • All of the required Biology and Chemistry courses must have been completed within 10 years from the date of application to the program

Admission points are calculated based on the above criteria. The final selection of applicants into the program is made by the Department Chair in consultation with the Nutrition and Dietetics Technician Admissions Committee.

Additional Program requirements Upon Admission into the Nutrition and Dietetics Technician Program

In addition to maintaining a 2.0 GPA and earning a minimum grade of “B” (80%) in all Nutrition and Dietetics Technician curriculum courses, applicants accepted into the Nutrition and Dietetics Technician program must meet the following requirements in order to enroll and continue in the Nutrition and Dietetics Technician program courses:

  • A completed Gaston College Health and Human Services Student Medical form documenting satisfactory emotional and physical health signed by a health care practitioner. This is required by the due date stated in the applicant’s email from the compliance specialist.
  • Current Adult, Child, and Infant CPR and AED certificate.
  • Students will be required to submit documentation of additional non-academic criteria such as, but not limited to, criminal background checks, urine drug testing, a 2-step negative TB skin test (after initial 2-step annually), flu shot (annually), and proof of immunizations. If the clinical facility refuses to allow the student to complete his/her supervised practice at the facility based on said findings, the student would not be allowed to continue in the program. Students are to complete these requirements by registering and paying a fee to a third-party vendor. Instructions will be provided by the compliance specialist.
  • Provide proof of medical/health insurance. Insurance must cover an injury or illness while in a facility for supervised practice.
  • Provide proof of car insurance coverage. Insurance is for safety in travel to and from assigned areas.
  • Professional liability insurance (malpractice insurance) is arranged through the Gaston College Business Office
  • Acknowledge that travel “out-of-service” areas may be required for the supervised practice.

Clinical agencies reserve the right to deny a student access to the facility based on failure to meet the above requirements. If a student is denied access to any clinical agency, the student will not be allowed to continue in the Nutrition and Dietetics Technician program. Detailed information regarding these agency requirements will be provided upon conditional acceptance in the Nutrition and Dietetics Technician program.

FIRST YEAR


SECOND YEAR


Total Program Hours: 71-72


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