Visiting dietitians
Policy & Procedures for Visiting Dietitians
The Department of Clinical Dietitians offers both observational and practical placements for registered dietitians looking to enhance their knowledge and/or clinical practice in paediatric nutrition. In view of the fact that these requests far exceed current resources to accommodate them, the following information is requested so that those most benefiting from the placement will be approved.
Are You Eligible For This Placement?
- If you are an international dietitian, please apply for your experience through the International Learner Program.
- You must be a Registered Dietitian. For practical placements, you must also be eligible to practice in Canada. Please provide a photocopy of your registration form.
- You must have very detailed learning objectives for this placement.
- Objectives need to be specific, achievable in the proposed placement timeframe, and relevant to your clinical practice.
- A list of program areas in which you wish to shadow a dietitian is insufficient and your application will not be considered.
- Please address why you wish to complete a paediatric placement and why you wish to do this at The Hospital for Sick Children.
- You must submit a curriculum vitae. Please be sure to include your past experiences (work or volunteer) in the area of paediatric nutrition.
- You must submit your application materials for consideration by July 1st of each year for a placement during the upcoming Fall or by November 1st for the term beginning January 1st.
- An incomplete package of materials will not be considered.
Placement Options and Duration
Observational placements are normally of 1 to 5 days in duration. The general thrust of this type of placement is knowledge acquisition. Due to the duration, this type of placement will have fewer "hands on" activities (eg. direct patient care). A formal evaluation of clinical skills obtained will not be provided and hence we will be unable to assess or attest to your competence in any specific area.
- A written schedule for the placement will be provided.
- Protocols and educational material will be provided.
- You will be included in patient and education rounds, journal clubs and other patient/clinical related activities.
Practical placements are generally appropriate for practicing clinical dietitians who are about to begin a job that includes paediatric nutrition as a component. These placements are typically at least three weeks in length.
- A written schedule for the placement will be provided.
- You will assume some direct patient care responsibilities toward the end of the placement under the supervision of the preceptor dietitian.
- Protocols and educational material will be provided.
- You will be included in patient and education rounds, journal clubs and other patient/clinical related activities.
- A formal evaluation that specifically addresses your preplanned learning objectives will be provided at the end of the placement.
Fees, Transportation and Accommodation
- The visiting dietitian is responsible for their own transportation and accommodation. A list of local hotels, residences and bed and breakfasts will be provided upon request.
- A fee of $125.00 Canadian dollars/day will be required for observational placements. Alternatively, for observational placements only, this fee may be waived if the visitor provides a seminar on their best clinical practice to the Dietitians' group that meets the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of each month. Examples of a suitable seminar could include a presentation of the development of a nutrition protocol or the results of a research study that has changed your clinical practice.
- A fee of $300.00 Canadian dollars/week will be required for practical placements. Alternatively, for practical placements only, this fee may be waived upon mutual agreement if the visitor can provide a rotation of equivalent duration for a SickKids dietetic intern in their place of practice.
Where to Send Your Application Materials or Direct Inquiries
Aneta Plaga
Senior Secretary
Clinical Dietetics
The Hospital for Sick Children
Toronto,
ON
Canada
email: aneta.plaga@sickkids.ca