Site:
Aleda E. Lutz VAMC- Saginaw MI

Location:
2830 McCarty Rd
Saginaw, MI 48603

Description:

Our Audiology program offers a wide range of services including comprehensive audiometric testing, hearing aid fittings, tinnitus management, in-depth tele-audiology services (including diagnostic testing, hearing aid fittings/follow-ups, and remote programming), electrophysiology, cerumen management, and a small vestibular clinic including: Videonystagmography (VNG), posturography, Vestibular Evoked Myogenic Potential (VEMP) testing, and Video Head Impulse testing (vHIT).

Our clinic is located in a brand new off-site building that houses audiology, optometry, and blind rehab. We provide services to 9 CBOCs with our tele-audiology program, serving Veterans from the Mackinaw Bridge all the way to central Michigan. The Saginaw North clinic has 8 full-time audiologists. Our Cadillac CBOC has 3 more audiologists on our team. There are 4 audiology technicians split between the 2 clinic sites.

Number of externship positions:
1

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:
1 FUNDED

Clinical opportunities provided during the externship:

• Audiologic evaluation
• Immittance measures
• Otoacoustic emissions
• Hearing aid selection
• Hearing aid fitting
• Assistive listening devices
• Vestibular evaluation
• Electrophysiology evaluation
• Tinnitus evaluation
• Tinnitus management
• Cerumen Management
• Telehealth program

Externship site expects the extern to have mastered these skills before they begin their clinical externship:

Competency with routine diagnostic hearing evaluations and hearing aid selection. Familiarity with fitting hearing aids and performing real ear verification. Familiarity with vestibular and electrophysiology testing.

Externship site expects the extern to learn/demonstrate these skills during their clinical externship:

Develop competencies in routine and advanced diagnostic hearing evaluations, select and fit appropriate amplification with verification. Develop clinical decision making. Develop efficient patient management skills. Become proficient at telehealth.

Number of audiologists at site:
11

Number of staff at site:
15

Audiologists holding CCC-A certification:
7

Audiologists holding ABA certification:
1

What level of supervision is provided:
Graduated Levels

Number of patients seen per year:
16,190

How many students per year both interns and externs:
10

Continuing Education opportunities:
Yes

Travel to satellites required?:
No

Are there interdisciplinary opportunities? If so what:
At times with Speech pathology, blind rehab

Are there research opportunities? If so what?:
No

Do you have a consortium or collaborative arrangements with other sites that provides additional experience?:
No

What communication or other support do you expect or require from university during externship?
As Needed

Site’s application requirements:

2 Letters of Recommendation
Resume
Transcript (can be unofficial)
Cover letter

Log of clinical hours
Virtual Interview

Steps for the student/university to follow the application process:
Email complete application- cover letter, resume, unofficial transcripts, log of clinical hours, and 2 letters of recommendation to Kaylee.davenport@va.gov

Site’s application deadline:
Friday September 22, 2023

Site’s externship contact:
Kaylee Davenport, Au.D.; kaylee.davenport@va.gov

Anticipated decision date:
Monday October 23, 2023