Program Details

Our Mission

To provide a comprehensive internship that prepares compassionate, culturally aware dietitians, allowing them to meet the nutritional needs and improve the health of their community.

When you join the CSV WIC Dietetic Internship, you’ll gain the tools, training, and mentorship you need to thrive—without the financial stress.

Here’s what makes our program different:

Earn While You Learn
One of the few WIC-based dietetic internships in the U.S. that pays full salary and benefits.
Guaranteed Job Placement
Secure a full-time Registered Dietitian position with Clinica Sierra Vista after passing your credentialing exam.
Accredited & Respected
Our program is fully accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) designed to prepare you for registration and career success.
Hands-On Community Experience
Work directly with families in Kern and Fresno Counties through WIC, helping improve health and nutrition across the region.
Professional Growth & Mentorship
Train under experienced dietitians and healthcare professionals, attend professional conferences, and gain over 1,000 supervised hours in community, clinical, and food service settings.
Career Stability
Graduate with job security, competitive pay, and room to grow within one of the Central Valley’s most trusted healthcare organizations.

Program Highlights & Structure

What You’ll Gain

  • 1,000+ hours of supervised practice
  • Experience in community nutrition, clinical care, and food service management
  • Attendance to annual professional conferences offered by the California Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and the California WIC Association
  • Cultural competency training to better serve diverse communities
  • Direct mentorship from registered dietitians and WIC professionals

Program Length & Schedule

  • 9-month program (January–September)
  • Includes exam prep and professional development sessions
  • Complete supervised practice hours combined with work time to total 40 hours per week
Eligibility
Program Objectives

supervised practice hours per intern

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complete the program within 9 months

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employment rate within 12 months of graduation

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pass the national Registered Dietitian exam on their first attempt

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continue serving Central Valley communities for at least two years

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How to Apply

Getting started is simple.

Apply for a Degreed Nutritionist position with CSV WIC.
Once hired, submit your Dietetic Internship application during selection period for the next cohort.
Gain hands-on experience while getting paid.
Pass your Registered Dietitian exam and continue your full-time career with CSV.

In order to apply, please see CSV job postings for Degreed Nutritionist.

Apply Now
Contact Us

Eligibility & Requirements

To qualify for the CSV WIC Dietetic Internship, you’ll need:

  • Bachelor's degree
  • Master's degree (in progress considered)
  • Completion of an ACEND-approved didactic program in Dietetics (with Verification Statement)
  • A GPA of 2.8 or higher
  • Current employment or eligibility to apply as a Degreed Nutritionist with CSV
  • A commitment to cultural competency and community health
Dates to Remember
Applications open in the fall
Internships begin in January

Why Choose Clinica Sierra Vista?

For over 50 years, Clinica Sierra Vista has provided quality, compassionate healthcare to families across California’s Central Valley. Our WIC program serves thousands of participants every month—and our interns play a vital role in supporting their health and wellbeing.

When you join our internship, you’re not just building a career—you’re joining a mission-driven team dedicated to making healthy living possible for everyone.

CSV WIC Dietetic Internship

  • One of only five WIC-based internships in California
  • Among the few that pays interns full-time
  • Focused on equity, access, and community impact
Apply Now

In order to apply, please see CSV job postings for Degreed Nutritionist.

FAQs

Is the internship paid?

Yes. Interns are paid a full-time salary with benefits.

The internship runs for about 9 months, depending on completion of 1000 practice hours.

Yes. The program is based in Kern County and focuses on community service in the Central Valley.

A DPD-verified nutrition degree, minimum 2.8 GPA, and eligibility to work as a Degreed Nutritionist with CSV.

Graduates are guaranteed full-time placement with CSV. Please note that graduates do not become Registered Dietitians until they have passed their exam.

Accreditation

The Clinica Sierra Vista Dietetic Internship has been granted accreditation by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

CSV Dietetic Internship does not utilize computer matching for selection process.

Acceptance into this program is not influenced by age, sex, race, marital status, national origin, or ancestry.

Program Objectives

  • At least 80% of interns complete program/degree requirements within 13.5 months (150% of planned program length).
  • Of graduates who seek employment, at least 100% are employed in nutrition and dietetics or related fields within 12 months of graduation.
  • At least 80% of program graduates take the CDR credentialing exam for dietitian nutritionists within 12 months of program completion.
  • The program’s one-year pass rate (graduates who pass the registration exam within one year of first attempt) on the CDR credentialing exam for dietitian nutritionists is at least 80%.
  • 80% of employers, who return surveys, rate graduates as “satisfactory” or “excellent” for ability to work effectively with multicultural populations from diverse backgrounds.
  • 90% of program graduates work as entry-level Registered Dietitian Nutritionists in community nutrition.
  • 90% of graduates work in Central Valley community programs for at least two years after graduation.

Do I Qualify for WIC?

WIC is a program that helps families with food and nutrition. Call us at (661) 862-5422 or send a message, and we’ll help you see if you qualify.

Here are some ways you might qualify:

  • You are pregnant
  • You are breastfeeding a baby who is less than one year old
  • You had a baby in the last six months
  • You have a child who is under the age of five
  • You experienced a loss of pregnancy or had a termination

You also need to think about your family’s income. Here are the monthly income limits for family sizes:

  • 1 Person: $2,413
  • 2 Persons: $3,261
  • 3 Persons: $4,109
  • 4 Persons: $4,957
  • 5 Persons: $5,805
  • More than 5 Persons: Add $848 for each additional member

This income limit is based on 185% of the Federal Poverty Level, and these amounts will be effective from April 1, 2025, to June 30, 2026.

Also, if you’re pregnant, the baby counts as part of your family size when figuring out if you qualify.

Get Care Right Away

Need care right away? Our health centers offer same-day appointments, and our walk-in clinics also offer extended hours. Whether you schedule ahead or stop by, we’re here to deliver fast, high-quality care when and where you need it.

Find a Walk-In Clinic
Call (833) 678-2781
Go to MyChart

Visit Your Preferred Location

We make it easy to choose the clinic that works best for you. Keep in mind that your preferred location may mean seeing a different provider. Either way, you’ll receive compassionate, expert care from our trusted team, no matter which clinic you visit.

Schedule Your Appointment on MyChart:
Go to MyChart
Call (833) 678-2781
Find a Location

See Your Preferred Provider

Our providers work across multiple clinics to make care accessible, so their location may vary based on availability. No matter where you’re seen, you can trust our dedicated team to deliver the high-quality care you deserve.

Schedule Your Appointment on MyChart:
Go to MyChart
Call (833) 678-2781
Find a Provider
Schedule Appointment
My Chart
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