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This program prepares students for employment in the areas of nutrition care and food service management. As an integral part of a healthcare team, the Dietetic Technician, Registered (DTR) is qualified to work in a variety of settings, including acute and long-term care facilities, health departments, schools, community nutrition programs, business and industry, and food service management.
Department of Food, Nutrition and Hospitality
Accreditation
The Dietetic Technician Program is fully accredited through December 31, 2022 by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND). For more information concerning accreditation standards contact the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND), 120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2000, Chicago, Illinois, 60606-6995, phone number 800-877-1600, ext.5400, email acend@eatright.org, web address www.eatright.org/ACEND/.
Professional Organizations
Career Information
The Dietetic Technician Program prepares students for employment in the areas of nutrition care and food service management. As an integral part of a healthcare team, the Dietetic Technician, Registered (DTR) is qualified to work in a variety of settings, including acute and long-term care facilities, health departments, schools, community nutrition programs, business and industry, and food service management. DTRs work under the supervision of a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN).
To become a Dietetic Technician, Registered the student must complete academic coursework and 450 hours of supervised practice from an accredited program. Programs are accredited through the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND). Courses and supervised practice “clinicals” are scheduled over five semesters. Upon completion of all courses and clinicals, students are eligible to take the dietetic technician registration exam through The Commission on Dietetic Registration. Upon passing the credentialing exam, graduates earn the title of “Registered”. In the State of Ohio, Dietetic Technician, Registered must work under the direction of a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist and follow the Scope of Practice.
More information on how to become a Dietetic Technician, Registered can be found at http://www.eatrightpro.org/resources/career/become-an-rdn-or-dtr.
Admission
The Dietetic Technician Program (DTTP) is open enrollment with technical professional courses beginning in Spring Semester. To begin the program, students must:
- Currently be enrolled as a student at Owens Community College with all placement testing completed.
- Complete all Dietetic Technician prerequisite courses by the end of Fall semester for Spring technical professional courses. Students must earn a grade of “C” or better in all
program courses (see Progression/Completion Requirements).
- Maintain a total grade point average (GPA) of 2.5 or higher at Owens Community College or the school or college most recently attended (high school, technical program or other college).
Progression/Completion Requirements
Prior to beginning the Dietetic Technician program, students must have successfully completed all developmental courses into which they have tested. Developmental courses include: MTH 091, MTH 096, ENG 091, ENG 096, ENG 097 and CHM 095.
Students testing at college level may move to the prerequisite (Level 1) courses. Prerequisite Level 1 courses include ENG 111, BIO 211, IST 100, FNH 105, FNH 121, and FNH 123. All courses must be completed with a grade of “C” or better.
Successful completion of Prerequisite (Level 1) courses will allow students to enroll in the Dietetic Technician Program courses beginning Spring Semester. Note that completion of FNH 105 includes passing a background check and health requirements for supervised practice (clinical) facilities. Courses follow a specific sequence (cohort) and must be taken together as indicated. Courses within the cohort are offered once per academic year.
Students wishing to go part-time or who have not successfully completed prerequisite courses by the end of Fall semester (earned grade of “C” or better), may continue in the Dietetic Technician Program taking general education and open enrollment FNH courses (FNH 112, FNH 135, FNH 270). Part-time enrollment or additional academic time in prerequisite courses will extend the length of study to three (or more) academic years. Students have a maximum of five years to complete the Dietetic Technician Program. The five year completion period begins with enrollment in FNH 102 and FNH 190. It is extremely important to meet with the Academic Advisor and Program Director to plan your course of study.
All Dietetic Technician students must earn a “C” or better in each program course and maintain a GPA of 2.5 or better. Students who do not earn these grades must participate in a mandatory review of their progress with the Program Chair and meet with their Academic Advisor to assess their potential and aptitude to meet program standards and Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND). Courses may be repeated one time to meet Dietetic Technician Program standards.
Prerequisite (Level 1) Courses
Program Courses
Academic Probation Policy
Students must maintain a cumulative grade point average of 2.5 throughout program. Falling below a 2.5 GPA will result in academic probation. A grade of “C” or better must be earned in all program courses. Students falling below a 2.5 GPA for more than two semesters will be dismissed from the program.
Academic Probation:
- Students will be referred to their advisor to develop a written remediation plan. The remediation plan should address the academic problems so that the student can succeed.
- A 2.5 GPA in Biology (BIO), Chemistry (CHM) and Food, Nutrition & Hospitality (FNH) courses is required to continue in the program.
- Failure to improve cumulative GPA over two semesters will result in academic dismissal from the program.
Academic Dismissal:
- Failure to comply with student code of conduct and Dietetic Technician program requirements as defined in the student handbook may be grounds for academic dismissal.
- Failure to maintain a 2.5 GPA will result in academic probation leading to academic dismissal.
- Students dismissed from the program for academics may be admitted one time only based on space availability.
Non-academic Readmission:
- Students that elect to leave the program prior to completion for other than academic reasons may request readmission and be reaccepted providing there is an opening in the program.
- Requests for readmission must be approved by the Chair of the program. Age of coursework will be evaluated to maintain compliance with accrediting body.
Health Requirements
Before supervised practice clinicals begin, students are required to submit evidence of a physical examination, laboratory tests (titers), and required immunizations. Some clinical sites also require a 10-panel drug test and the influenza vaccination.
All costs of the physical exam, laboratory testing and immunizations, are the responsibility of the student. It is imperative that students adhere to ALL of above requirements. Failure to comply will result in the student being denied access to the supervised practice site and therefore be unable to complete the course.
Background Checks
Students must participate in a state and federal background check for criminal convictions prior to attending supervised practice rotations. Additional costs will be incurred by the student to cover these expenses. Depending on the outcome of the background check, it is possible that the student will be denied access to the clinical/management environment and therefore be unable to complete the program.
The Ohio Attorney General’s Bureau of Criminal Investigation and Identification (BCI & I), www.ohioattorneygeneral.gov
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), www.fbi.gov
Essential Functions
Essential functions are the basic skills and activities that you must be able to perform to complete the Dietetic Technician Program and perform entry-level professional job responsibilities. You must determine your ability to achieve the essential functions of the Program. If you require special accommodations to fulfill Program requirements, schedule an appointment with Disability Services at (567) 661-7007 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. 7007.
- View Essential Functions
Clinical Experience
The supervised practice experience is important in preparing students and in giving them the skills they need to be entry level practitioners. The Dietetic Technician Program consists of four supervised practice rotations with a Registered Dietitian instructor in acute/skilled care, community and food service management. The following is a list of some of the supervised practice placement sites for Dietetic Technician students.
- View Clinical Affiliations
Credentialing Exams
Program graduates are eligible to write the computer-based Registration Examination for Dietetic Technicians administered by the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR). CDR is the credentialing agency for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. The Commission certifies that dietetic technicians have acquired, maintained and continue to advance their professional skills within their chosen area of practice.
After successful completion of the Registration Examination, examinees are awarded their desired credential: Dietetic Technician, Registered (DTR). DTRs must then earn 50 hours of continuing education every five years to maintain their “DTR” status.
Program graduates are also eligible to complete an examination to become a Certified Dietary Manager (CDM), Certified Food Protection Professional (CFPP) through the Association of Nutrition and Foodservice Professionals, which affirms the graduate is well prepared to manage a busy foodservice operation. For additional information, visit www.anfpoline.org
Employment and Wage Earnings
The knowledge acquired along with 450 hours of supervised practice (clinical) and passage of the CDR credentialing exam prepares graduates to work as a NDTR independently or in teams with Registered Dietitians in a variety of healthcare and foodservice facilities including hospitals, skilled and long-term care facilities including, schools, community health programs, health clubs, food companies and senior nutrition programs. Projected job openings (2016-2026) in Ohio are expected to grow 6% with 60 annual job openings. In Ohio, median wages are $36,840.
https://www.onetonline.org/link/summary/29-2051.00
(visited 5/24/2019)
Program Cost
Cost of attending and completing the Dietetic Technology Program is estimated for all general education and program requirements. Information current as of Fall 2019. Cost assume full-time status and Ohio residency. The College reserves the right to change or add any fee without advance notice.
| Tuition and academic fees (62 credit hours) |
$ 13,363 |
| Lab and supervised practice fees |
$ 939.25 |
| Books (new) |
$ 616.94 |
| Health screening and immunizations |
$ 450 |
| Background check |
$ 104 |
| Uniforms and supplies |
$ 243 |
| Estimated total costs |
$ 15,716.19 |
Scholarships and Financial Aid
Owens Community College maintains an Oserve Office on each campus. Oserve is the place for you to ask questions related to financial aid. Contact: 1-800-GO OWENS ext. 2387 or (567) 661-2387 Email: oserve@owens.edu. There are a variety of financial aid programs, scholarships and on-campus employment opportunities available at Owens Community College. For more information, visit the College scholarship website.
The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Foundation (ANDF) offers scholarships to encourage eligible students to enter the field of dietetics. Student members of the Academy enrolled in the first year of study in an ACEND-accredited dietetic technician program may apply for a Foundation scholarship for use in the second year of study. More information about ANDF scholarships can be found at, http://www.eatrightfoundation.org/foundation/scholarships/.
Policy and Procedure
Academic and Program Schedule
The Dietetic Technician Program follows the Owens State Community College academic schedule, https://www.owens.edu/schedules/index.html. Supervised practice (clinical) make-up hours, service learning events and experiences may be scheduled, outside of normally scheduled class meeting times based on student learning needs.
Insurance Requirements and Professional Liability
It is highly recommended that students have both medical and automobile insurance coverage. Liability for safety in travel to or from assigned supervised practice clinical experiences is the student’s responsibility when traveling in their own vehicle. Students are covered by the College when traveling in a college vehicle.
Professional liability insurance is a requirement of all Dietetic Technician students before entering any supervised practice phase of the curriculum. The program will purchase liability insurance for you as part of the course lab fee. This policy only covers students during scheduled supervised practice clinical experiences. It will not cover you during employment hours.
Personal Injury or Illness during Clinical Labs
In case of injury or illness, students should seek appropriate medical attention of their choice. Students are responsible for costs associated with medical care received. In non-emergency situations, students are not obligated to accept service from the clinical facility in which the incident occurred.
In case of personal injury complete an incident report at the clinical facility immediately and at the College within 24 hours. Incident reports may be requested by your health insurance carrier.
Students are required to make-up missed clinical hours (see student handbook).
Purpose of Supervised Practice (clinical)
Supervised practice hours provides students with the opportunity to apply knowledge learned and gain entry-level competency as a dietetic technician. It is the policy of the program that students will not replace site facility employees. Students may assist employees or provide relief to meet learning outcomes. Students are not compensated for clinical hours.
Program Complaints
If a Dietetic Technician student feels that a complaint has not been satisfactorily resolved through the college he/she has the right to issue a complaint to the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND). ACEND will not intervene on complaints other than those that relate to ACEND accreditation standards, student rights to due process and appeal mechanisms.
Students can contact ACEND staff at: Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, 120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2000, Chicago, Illinois 60606-6995, 1-800-877-1600 Ext. 5400 or at acend@eatright.org. Students can visit www.eatright.org/acend to receive a copy of the accreditation standards and/or the policy and procedure for filing a complaint with ACEND.
Transfer Information
Articulation agreements to Bowling Green State University and Eastern Michigan University provide graduates with a guide to transferring into dietetic programs to earn their Bachelor Degree. Ohio Transfer Module (OTM) options guide students in transferring to other Ohio four year higher education institutions. Advising staff are available to assist you with this process.
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