Dietetic Technician, A.A.S. (A45310)

Admission Information

Admission to the general college does not guarantee admission to the Dietetic Technician Program. Students applying for admission to the Gaston College Dietetic Technician Program MUST meet the Gaston College admission requirements.

Additional Requirements

To be eligible to submit an application to the Dietetic Technician Program applicants must have:

1. Prior to entering the Dietetic Technician Program, you should complete coursework up to DMA 040  DMA 050 , and DRE 098 .
2. Applicants must acknowledge that travel “out-of-service” areas may be required for clinical fieldwork.
3. Must have an overall grade point average of 2.0 or better in required college courses.
4. Must have grades of “C” or better in all related courses.
5. Must have completed the required Biology and Chemistry courses within 10 years from the date of application to the program.

All above information must be provided and approved prior to enrollment in the program.

Program Admission Criteria

The following criteria must be utilized by the Dietetic Technician Admissions Committee in the selection process of recommending applicants for admission to the Dietetic Technician Program:

1. The number of related courses completed prior to submitting an application.
2. Grade Point Average (GPA) in related courses.

Students admitted to the Dietetic Technician Program must have:

1. Compliance - Criminal Background Check, Fingerprint, and Annual Drug Screen. In order to comply with current Student Facility Affiliation Agreements students admitted into the Dietetic Technician Program will be required to complete a successful Criminal Background Check, Fingerprint, and Drug Screen according to Gaston College procedures before being placed in a clinical facility. The facility reserves the right to deny the student access to the facility. If the student is denied access, the student will not be allowed to complete the program. Completion of supervised practice clinical experience is required for the satisfactory completion of the program. More information will be provided upon conditional acceptance into the program.
2. Complete CPR Certification. The student must be currently certified in Adult/Child/Infant (BLS) CPR. Student may take a localcourse at the American Red Cross, the American Heart Association, or take an online BLS CPR course at www.CPRTODAY.com ($29.95) or www.onlineAHA.org ($19.95).  Students must submit a copy of the CPR certification card prior to beginning the program.
3. Complete the North Carolina Community College Student Medical Form documenting satisfactory emotional and physical health, immunizations, TB Skin Test and flu shot. Students are required to complete a Medical Form before entrance into the program by the date announced by the Dietetic Coordinator.
4. Purchase a Dietetic Technician Uniform. Uniform may be ordered at PRN Uniform, (http://prununiforms.biz/) 1420 Costner School Road, Bessemer City, NC 28016 or by calling 704.922.9516.

Note: Criminal Background Check - Students must complete a background check using https://bib.com/securevolunteer/gst/ Please click, I Want toVolunteer on the website. Be prepared to pay a base fee of $24 at the time of submission with a Visa or MasterCard. Additional fees may apply if you the student has have resided in other states or used other names. The student will be given a code to go back into the program to access the search results. Allow at least 2-5 days for the search to be completed. The student must forward the results or code to the Compliance Specialist.

Note: Please follow the instructions on Gaston College Website. (1) Obtain your fingerprint card from your local law-enforcement office; (2) Complete the FBI Applicant Information Form; (3) Obtain a money order or certified check payable to the Treasury of the United States for the cost of processing; and (4) Mail all documents to the FBI address given on the instruction sheet. The results will be mailed to the student. The student must forward the FBI report to the Compliance Specialist.

Note: Drug Screens -Students will be required to complete an annual drug screen. Campus students will complete a drug screen on-site at Gaston College. Distance students should request an authorization form from the Dietetic Programs Coordinator. The results should be sent by fax (704.922.8943) or mail to the Compliance Specialist.

Gaston College
Attn: Compliance Specialist
David Belk Cannon Building, Room 159
201 Highway 321 South
Dallas, NC 28034
For further questions, please call 704.922.2275

Health Requirements

1. Physical health is defined as being free of disabling or contagious disease, being able to perform fine and gross motor skills, and being able to perform normal weight bearing activities.
2. Emotional health is defined as reacting appropriately to stressful situations, withstanding everyday environmental stresses with little difficulty, using healthy coping mechanisms, and understanding one’s own ability to cope with stressful situations.  Assessment of emotional health of applicants is made through the use of physical examinations, references, letters from psychiatrists or therapists if intensive therapy is in progress or has occurred, and psychological evaluations, if necessary.
3. A completed health form documenting satisfactory emotional and physical health is required before entrance into the program.  Date required will be announced by the Dietetic Technician Department Chairperson.

Immunization Requirements

All students must have the results of a tuberculin skin test done within one year prior to enrollment in the Gaston College Dietetic Technician Program.

An up-to-date TB Skin Test is required for each additional year of program enrollment. The TB Skin Test can be obtained at your physician’s office or local health department. You must be prepared to return to the physician’s office or health department within 48 hours to have the results read.

Students must complete a two-step PPD test within the last six (6) months.

Guidelines for Completing Immunization Record

IMPORTANT - The immunization requirements must be met; or according to N.C. law, you will be withdrawn from classes without credit.

Acceptable Records of Your Immunizations May be Obtained from Any of the Following: (Be certain that your name, date of birth, and ID Number appear on each sheet and that all forms are mailed together. The records must be in black ink and the dates of vaccine administration must include the month, day, and year. Keep a copy for your records.)

• High School Records - These may contain some, but not all of your immunization information. Contact Student Affairs for help if needed. Immunization records do not transfer automatically. Students must request a copy.
• Personal Shot Records - Must be verified by a doctor’s stamp or signature or by a clinic or health department stamp.
• Local Health Department.
• Military Records or WHO (World Health Organization Documents).
• Previous College or University - Immunization records do not transfer automatically. Students must request a copy.

1. DPT (Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis), Td (Tetanus, Diphtheria): One Td booster within the last ten years.
2. Measles: One dose on or after 12 months of age; second at least 30 days later. Must repeat Rubeola (measles) vaccine if received even one day prior to 12 months of age. History of physician-diagnosed measles disease is acceptable, but must have signed statement from physician.
3. Two measles doses if entering college for the first time after July 1, 1994.
4. MMR: One dose on or after 12 months of age. Only laboratory proof if immunity to rubella or mumps disease is acceptable if the vaccine is not taken. History of rubella or mumps disease, even from a physician, is not acceptable.
5. Varicella - there must be proof of two (2) doses OR a positive antibody titer (history of disease is not acceptable proof).
6. The Hepatitis B Vaccine (recommended immunization) must be completed (series of three (3) injections) by the end of the spring semester, Freshman Year.

FIRST YEAR

SECOND YEAR

Humanities Electives

Select 1 course from the following:

• ART 111 Art Appreciation (3 Credit Hours)
• MUS 110 Music Appreciation (3 Credit Hours)

Total Program Hours: 76