Dietetic Internships
Launch Your Career as a Registered Dietitian
Get real-world experience in clinical and foodservice settings through Thomas Cuisine’s dietetic internship partnerships.
Launch Your Nutrition Career
Dietetic Internships for Students and RD Graduates
At Thomas Cuisine, we know that the future of clinical nutrition depends on developing and supporting the next generation of dietitians. That’s why many of our locations partner with universities, dietetic internship programs, and professional organizations to offer internship experiences, practicum opportunities, and entry-level roles that help students and graduates take the next step in their careers.
Dietetic Internships
While opportunities vary by location, you’ll often find...
Clinical Rotations & Practicum Experiences
Get hands-on training in hospitals, senior living, and specialty care.
Entry-Level Roles for Dietetic Students
Gain experience as a Nourish Ambassador or in a similar role to build knowledge in therapeutic diets, patient interaction, and foodservice operations.
RD-Eligible Employment
Some locations hire graduates who are preparing for the RD exam, offering mentorship and clinical practice while you earn your credential.
Specialty Experiences
Gain exposure to unique areas of practice, including behavioral health, diabetes care, critical care, pediatrics, geriatrics, and highly specialized fields such as burn nutrition.
Dietetic Internships
Find Available
Internship Opportunities
Thomas Cuisine partners with healthcare, senior living, and professional sports organizations across the U.S. to provide supervised practice opportunities for dietetic interns.
Important Note for Applicants
Some sites have existing university affiliation agreements, but these do not restrict placement. Many locations can still accept interns from other ACEND-accredited programs. If you’re interested in any site, please apply. Our team will review your information, confirm availability, and coordinate any needed affiliation paperwork.
Thomas Cuisine offers supervised practice opportunities for dietetic interns at the hospitals, senior living communities, behavioral health centers, and medical facilities where we provide foodservice across Illinois, Washington, Oregon, California, Arizona, and Montana. Our client sites host interns through active affiliation agreements with programs including Arizona State University, Fresno State University, CSU Fresno, California State University Chico, Oregon State University, Montana State University, Bastyr University, Central Washington University, OHSU, Harper College, Iowa State University, Russell Sage College, University of Northern Colorado, Maricopa Community Colleges, the University of New England, and Utah State University. These partnerships support high-quality rotations in clinical nutrition, community nutrition, and foodservice management.Thomas Cuisine partners with hospitals, medical centers, senior living communities, behavioral health facilities, and regional health systems across the U.S. to provide supervised practice opportunities for dietetic interns enrolled in accredited programs.
We welcome resumes from interns seeking clinical nutrition, community nutrition, and foodservice management rotations for the 2025–2026 academic year.
Grow with Thomas Cuisine
Investing in Your Professional Journey
Beyond dietetic internships, Thomas Cuisine supports dietitians through continuing education credits (CEUs), mentorship, and specialty certification support. Our commitment to professional growth ensures that whether you’re just starting your career or preparing for advanced practice, you’ll find opportunities to thrive.
Dietetic Internships
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I find current dietitian job openings?
Thomas Cuisine hires Registered Dietitians and Clinical Nutrition Managers nationwide. Roles may include sign-on bonuses, relocation incentives, and referral programs depending on location. Visit our careers site to find open positions.
Does Thomas Cuisine offer internships for dietetic students?
Yes. Many of our locations partner with universities and ACEND-accredited dietetic internship programs. Depending on the site opportunities may include:
- Clinical nutrition rotations
- Foodservice management training
- The specialty practice areas include diabetes care, neurology, behavioral health, pediatrics, geriatrics, critical care, or niche specialty fields like burn nutrition.
Do all Thomas Cuisine locations take dietetic interns?
Internship opportunities vary by location. Some sites partner directly with universities or accredited dietetic internship programs, while others may not host interns at every point in time. This flexibility allows us to offer high-quality, focused experiences where partnerships are in place. We offer postions nationwide with focus across Idaho, Utah, Arizona, Texas, California, Oregon, Montana, Colorado, and Illinois.
If my school doesn't have a partnership with a company, can I still secure a dietetic internship?
Most of our interns come through university partnerships, but in some cases students from distance or coordinated programs are able to arrange a placement. We encourage interested students to connect with their program directors and explore whether opportunities are available at Thomas Cuisine sites.
Can dietetic students work at Thomas Cuisine before becoming RDs?
We don’t offer a stand-alone, paid internship program. Instead, students and RD-eligible graduates can apply for paid entry-level positions like UnitHost and Nourish Ambassador in healthcare, or server roles in senior living. These positions provide valuable, hands-on experience in therapeutic diets, patient or resident interaction, and foodservice operations—often serving as a stepping stone toward future RD careers.
What kind of jobs can dietetic students get while in school or training?
Students and interns can apply for entry-level roles that offer direct exposure to acute care or senior living healthcare dining and clinical nutrition. These positions help build skills in client communication, nutrition education, and foodservice leadership. Some locations also hire RD-eligible graduates as dietitians, providing mentorship and valuable experience while they prepare for the RD exam.
What career paths can dietitians pursue at Thomas Cuisine?
Thomas Cuisine hires for a variety of nutrition-focused positions, including:
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Registered Dietitians (RDs)
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Clinical Dietitians
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Clinical Nutrition Managers
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Healthcare Managers – combining clinical and operational responsibilities
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Foodservice & Wellness Dietitians
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Sports & Performance Dietitians
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Food Service Directors
What types of places hire Registered Dietitians at Thomas Cuisine?
Thomas Cuisine dietitians work in a variety of settings, including:
- Hospitals and healthcare systems – supporting patients with specialized nutritional needs.
- Senior living communities—improving resident health and quality of life.
- Corporate dining and wellness programs aid in keeping employees energized and healthy during their work hours.
- Professional sports organizations provide performance nutrition services specifically designed for athletes.
Can RD-eligible graduates be hired before passing the exam?
Yes. Some Thomas Cuisine sites welcome RD-eligible graduates into dietitian positions before they sit for the exam. This pathway allows graduates to build confidence, receive mentorship, and gain clinical practice while completing their credentialing requirements.
What kind of experience do interns gain at Thomas Cuisine?
Internship experiences are rich and varied and may include:
- The internship program may involve clinical and foodservice rotations in various settings such as hospitals, senior living facilities, and specialty care.
- The internship provides exposure to specialized fields like behavioral health, diabetes management, critical care, or burn nutrition.
- Examples of projects and initiatives include developing patient education materials, conducting menu nutrient analysis, supporting quality improvement programs, and engaging in community-focused wellness activities.
How do dietitians usually continue their education after becoming an RD?
We view mentorship as a chance to contribute and enhance our professional growth. Our RDs enjoy guiding interns because it:
- Helps students gain valuable real-world experience.
- Encourages preceptors to stay current with new practices and perspectives.
- Builds a strong pipeline of skilled dietitians who share our mission of Real Food and Real Impact.
What’s changed recently with dietetic internships?
The most significant recent change is that a master’s degree is now required to sit for the Registered Dietitian (RD/RDN) credentialing exam. Previously, a bachelor’s degree plus an internship was sufficient. This shift has changed the pathway for many students, but Thomas Cuisine continues to create opportunities—through rotations, projects, and employment pathways—that prepare future dietitians for long-term success.