Site:
Birmingham VA Healthcare System

Location:
Birmingham Annex
2415 7th Ave S
Birmingham, AL 35233

Huntsville Outpatient Clinic
500 Markaview Rd NW
Huntsville, AL  35805

Description:
The Birmingham VA Healthcare System has been awarded one fully funded 4th year externship position for the 2027-2028 year with primary location at Birmingham Annex Clinic. One unfunded position, pending application for funding, is available with primary location at the Huntsville Outpatient Clinic. The Audiology service is comprised of 9 audiologists and 3 audiology technicians at the Birmingham Annex, 6 audiologists and 2 audiology technicians at the Huntsville Clinic, and 2 audiologists and 1 audiology technician at the Anniston Clinic. We offer diagnostic and rehabilitative services including comprehensive audiological evaluations, amplification fittings and hearing aid follow up care, tinnitus evaluations and treatment, telehealth, electrophysiological testing, vestibular evaluations, and cochlear implant evaluations and mapping. The Huntsville Clinic audiology staff supports the Shoals CBOC audiology patients two days a week.

Number of externship positions:
1 fully funded and 1 unfunded with application for funding pending (determination for funding will be received in August 2026)

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:  is funded for one position.

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
• Cerumen Management
• Telehealth program
• ENT clinic

Clinical opportunities not listed above:
Real ear measurements

Externship site expects the extern to have mastered these skills before they begin their clinical externship:
Basic foundation of knowledge for audiological evaluation, hearing aid fitting, and vestibular evaluation.

Externship site expects the extern to learn/demonstrate these skills during their clinical externship:
The extern will develop clinical knowledge and the skills to become independent in the areas of: audiological evaluations; hearing aid selection and fittings; real ear measurements; vestibular testing; tinnitus management; and cochlear implant evaluation and mapping. The extern will demonstrate best practices in Audiology, as well as integrity and professionalism that aligns with the VA core values.

Number of audiologists at site:
17

Number of staff at site:
26

Audiologists holding CCC-A certification:
10

Audiologists holding ABA certification:
0

What level of supervision is provided:
Graduated level of supervision

Number of patients seen per year:
22000

How many students per year both interns and externs:
3

Continuing Education opportunities:
There will be manufacturer training opportunities available on-site. There is also the possibility for manufacturer training off-site.

Travel to satellites required?:
Student located at Birmingham Annex may be expected to occasionally travel to Huntsville Outpatient Clinic and/or Anniston CBOC. Student located at Huntsville Outpatient Clinic may be expected to travel occasionally to Birmingham Annex and/or Shoals CBOC.

Are there interdisciplinary opportunities? If so what:
Externs will have the opportunity to engage with Speech-Language Pathology, Mental Health Services, and ENT Clinic.

Are there research opportunities? If so what?:
None

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?
Affiliation agreement with the university is required. Communication regarding expectations, evaluations, and deadlines.

Site’s application requirements:

• Cover Letter
• Resume or CV
• Two Letters of Recommendation
• Transcript

Steps for the student/university to follow the application process:
Interested applicants should submit the above electronically to janna.weier@va.gov

Site’s application deadline:
September 7, 2026

Applications will be accepted early and interviews scheduled on a rolling basis. Please indicate location for intended consideration (Birmingham, Huntsville, or Either Location). Externship positions may be filled prior to deadline based on strength of candidates

Site’s externship contact:
Janna Weier, Au.D.

Anticipated decision date:
October 2026