Work and Volunteer Experience
My work and volunteer experience started out by working full-time as a corporate wellness coach for three years. During this time I became a Certified Health and Wellness Coach through Wellcoaches.
In 2008, I volunteered 25 hours in the Head Start and Early Head Start kitchen of Head Start of Northeastern Nevada. I also put on a presentation at the same Head Start for the parents with the topic of Childhood Obesity. I also conducted it in 2009 along with a healthy cooking class.
In 2009 I shadowed with the Registered Dietitian from Highland Manor, a long-term care facility for a total of 15 hours. In addition to this I completed a continuing education course through (at the time) the American Dietetic Association on Motivational Interviewing Skills for Behavior Change. I also attended The Ultimate One-Day Diabetes Course put on by PESI
HealthCare.
In 2010, I started working as the Health and Mental Health Manager at Head Start of Northeastern Nevada. Some of my duties include tracking food allergies and monitoring the kitchen and classrooms teachers on omitting foods and providing appropriate substitutes. I also conducted growth assessments, discussed growth charts with families and developed Nutrition Care Plans. A part of the Nutrition Care Plans included a session with our consultant Registered Dietitian, in which I would attend. I also would provide growth charts for the Nevada Early Intervention Dietitian that works with our Early Head Start children. I also coordinate the “I am Moving, I am Learning” (IMIL) program for our agency which is a Head Start initiative to combat childhood obesity. It incorporates moving and learning together in the classroom. I attended a four day training and currently what we do is have one day a month where I go into each classroom to do some sort of physical activity, one day a month of nutrition education and every day the teachers should include activities that get the children moving while they are learning (i.e. lessons in writing your name by drawing it in the air with different body parts). I also send home a monthly newsletter, send daily e-mails to the teachers on simple activities, have a two hour pre-service training on the topic and have an IMIL committee that comes up with staff activities.
In 2011, I was a part of the State of Nevada Department of Education Wellness Policy Team for Nevada Fit Kids to develop a Guide for Wellness Best Practices. I dedicated around 40 hours to this project and the results can be seen within my portfolio. I also began working as the W.I.C. Nutritionist which I do eight hours each month.
In 2012, I returned working for the workplace wellness program approximately 10 hours each month. I also shadowed the clinical dietitian at the hospital for a total of 10 hours. I took a Signs and Symptoms of Illness and Bloodbourne Pathogen class this fall and completed my recertification in CPR and First Aid this past spring. I also conducted a healthy grocery shopping on a budget presentation. I've also recently started the American Council on Exercise Personal Trainer Certification program.
I believe that my experiences have prepared me for the didactic program and an internship because I have had a number of various experiences in different settings. I have been able to work in the three realms of dietetics including clinical, public nutrition and foodservice. My experience has been hands on, due that the fact that most of it have been places of employment, which has allowed me to grow and learn a lot about the field of dietetics as a whole.