Site:
VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System (VAAAHS), Packard Road Outpatient Clinic

Location:
Packard Outpatient Clinic 3800 Packard Rd.
Ann Arbor, MI 48108
United States

Description:
VAAAHS is proud to offer an Audiology Externship (4th year) position. The student will work out of our off-site Audiology clinic located within 3 miles from the main facility.  The student will be provided with experience in all Audiology specialty areas.

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:

Provided one paid position, however funding was not received for the 2022-23 academic year.

Clinical opportunities provided during the externship:

• Audiologic evaluation
• Immittance measures
• Otoacoustic emissions
• Hearing aid selection
• Hearing aid fitting
• Assistive listening devices
• Vestibular evaluation
• Vestibular rehabilitation
• Electrophysiology evaluation
• Tinnitus evaluation
• Tinnitus management
• Cochlear Implant evaluation
• Cochlear Implant management
• Auditory Processing management
• Cerumen Management
• Telehealth program
• ENT clinic
• Industrial/hearing conservation

Clinical opportunities not listed above:
Bone-anchored hearing systems, including the new Osia implant

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

• Audiogram interpretation
• Basic counseling skills
• Real ear measurements
• Basic hearing aid repairs (some experience with all leading manufacturers is preferred)
• Otoscopy
• Clinical report writing

Externship site expects the extern to learn/demonstrate these skills during their clinical externship:
Student is expected to develop into an independent and competent clinician, well-versed in audiometric testing, hearing aid selection, fitting and follow up care, vestibular and electrophysiological exams, tinnitus management and other clinical areas listed above.

Number of audiologists at site:
7

Number of staff at site:
5

Audiologists holding CCC-A certification:
1

Audiologists holding ABA certification:
0

What level of supervision is provided:
Graduated levels

Number of patients seen per year:
17982

How many students per year both interns and externs:
2

Continuing Education opportunities:
Student is encouraged to participate in professional conferences during their externship year. Historically, students have attended the VA’s Joint Defense VA Audiology Conference (JDVAC) or the American Academy of Audiology conference. Additionally, students will have the opportunity to participate in on-site and virtual hearing aid training provided by the hearing aid manufacturers currently on the government contract.

Travel to satellites required?:

No, however opportunity to train with Jackson and Toledo CBOCs clinicians is provided

Are there interdisciplinary opportunities? If so what:
The Audiology department works closely with ENT and Physical Therapy services. Traditionally, students are given an opportunity to observe at least one surgery and a full vestibular PT evaluation.

Are there research opportunities? If so what?:
Potential vestibular research in collaboration with GRECC and other VA facilities.

Do you have a consortium or collaborative arrangements with other sites that provides additional experience?:
University of Michigan

What communication or other support do you expect or require from university during externship?
Our University partners should outline the specific requirements they have to our Section Chief to ensure our facility is able to provide all required items for the Extern.

Site’s application requirements:
Cover letter, resume, and two letters of recommendation

Steps for the student/university to follow the application process:

VAAAHS Audiology Service will be adhering to the timeline recommended by the Audiology Clinical Education Network this year. Late applications will not be considered. All applications will be reviewed, and interviews (may be virtual) will then take place through Friday, October 21, 2022. Applicants will be notified via email whether they are selected for an interview.

Please submit your paperwork electronically or via mail to:

Elina Bagdasaryan, AuD
3800 Packard Rd.,
Ann Arbor, MI 48108
elina.bagdasaryan@va.gov

Site’s application deadline:
September 23, 2022

Site’s externship contact:
Elina Bagdasaryan, AuD