Patton State Hospital is a major forensic mental hospital operated by the California Department of Mental Health. It is located in San Bernardino, California, a community of approximately 181,000 people. The hospital was first opened in August 1, 1893. In 1927 it was renamed Patton State Hospital after a member of the first Board of Managers, Harry Patton of Santa Barbara.


Dietetic Internship - GENERAL INFORMATION


Patton State Hospital Dietetic Internship Program is currently granted an accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation for Dietetics Education of the American Dietetic Association.

The program is full-time and 10-months (43 weeks) in duration starting in August. There are six (6) intern positions available next year. Work schedule generally consists of 40 hours/week (5 days, 8 hours/day) with additional time required for completion of projects and assignments. A one-week vacation is provided during the winter holiday season in addition to all the state approved holidays.

Upon successful completion of the program, the intern will be eligible for the Registration Examination. This is the final step towards becoming a Registered Dietitian (RD) and an active member of the American Dietetic Association.

PROGRAM MISSION

The mission of the Patton State Hospital Dietetic Internship Program is to prepare entry-level dietitians for service to the community and society as a whole. The program is committed to educating interns in developing skills to promote health and prevent diseases utilizing evidence based practice. The program will provide various supervised practice settings to interns to help empower optimum nutrition to every persons served.

PROGRAM GOALS AND OUTCOME MEASURE

The program will prepare competent, entry-level dietitians for employment in local community.

Outcome Measures:

1. Eighty percent (80 %) of the graduates will pass the registration examination on the first try.
2. At least 33% of the graduates will be employed in San Bernardino and Riverside counties.
3. At least one new graduate will be employed at Patton State Hospital every year.
4. After a year of employment, 85% of the graduates will rate equal in performance to graduate dietitians from other dietetic internship program

The program will provide exposure to variety of settings for supervised practice.

Outcome Measures:

1. The program will utilize at least seven rotation sites for supervised practice for every intern.
2. Ninety percent (90%) of program evaluations completed by interns will state that the program provided experience in a variety of settings.