Site:
Colorado Springs – Floyd K. Linstrom VA

Location:
3141 Centennial Blvd
Colorado Springs, Colorado 80907
United States

Description:
12 month externship in a busy VA clinic serving adult and geriatric Veterans

Number of externship positions:
1 OAA funded position, participation in GRECC optional at RMR VA

Funding is assigned by the Office of Academic Affairs and may not have been determined by the application deadline. OAA funding is announced nationally at the same time which should allow sites to know funding at approximately the same time. Historically, our site:
has been awarded funding for 1 extern

Clinical opportunities provided during the externship:
Audiologic evaluation
Immittance measures
Otoacoustic emissions
Hearing aid selection
Hearing aid fitting
Assistive listening devices
Central Auditory Processing Disorder
Tinnitus evaluation
Tinnitus management
Cochlear Implant evaluation
Cochlear Implant management
Cerumen Management
Telehealth program
Industrial/hearing conservation

Clinical opportunities not listed above:
GRECC program partnership optional

Externship site expects the extern to have mastered these skills before they begin their clinical externship:
Superior customer service skills
Ability to function in busy clinic setting
Solid foundation in basic audiometry
Experience selecting, fitting and verifying hearing aids
Basic knowledge of site of lesion and electrophysiologic testing
Basic knowledge of vestibular diagnostic testing
Ability and willingness to ask questions and take instruction from multiple preceptors
Externship site expects the extern to learn/demonstrate these skills during their clinical externship:
Ability to work as part of a team and jump in wherever there is the greatest demand.
Ability to identify when it is appropriate and refer to other specialties when indicated.
Proficient in selecting, fitting, verifying and troubleshooting hearing aids and accessories from all (most) of the major manufacturers.
Evaluate and treat tinnitus patients.
Provide cochlear implant evaluation
Perform CAPD evaluation
Ability to recommend a treatment plan based on the needs of the patient.

Number of audiologists at site:
6

Number of staff at site:
8

Audiologists holding CCC-A certification:
4

Audiologists holding ABA certification:
0

What level of supervision is provided:
100% until competence is proven, then slowly allow independence

Number of patients seen per year:
16000

How many students per year both interns and externs:
3

Continuing Education opportunities:
Hearing aid manufacturers provide in house and on site CEU training. Possibility to attend national JDVAC conference. Flexibility to attend local or national conferences with supervisor approval.

Travel to satellites required?:
Optional travel to Pueblo CBOC, 45 miles from Colorado Springs, transportation provided by government vehicle.

Are there interdisciplinary opportunities? If so what:
GRECC program participation OPTIONAL

Are there research opportunities? If so what?:
Students are not required to propose clinic improvement projects, however, would be supported if the student wanted.

Do you have a consortium or collaborative arrangements with other sites that provide additional experience?:
Possible participation in GRECC program via RMR VA location.

What communication or other support do you expect or require from university during externship?
Reminders to complete any evaluations required by the university. Tools to complete student evaluations efficiently, e.g., Calipso.

Site’s application requirements:
Letter of Intent
Resume/CV
3 Letters of Recommendation

Steps for the student/university to follow the application process:
Email application requirements directly to Sarah Coppinger, Au.D. CCCC-A

All application materials must be submitted as one PDF and should include all recommendation letters. Word documents will not be accepted. University clinical directors may submit materials on behalf of applicants.

Site’s application deadline:
Applications are due 8/21/26
Interviews will begin 8/31/26
Offers will be made 9/11/26

Site’s externship contact:
sarah.coppinger@va.gov

Anticipated decision date:
9/11/26