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VA Boston Healthcare System

Site:
VA Boston Healthcare System

Location:
150 South Huntington Avenue
Boston, MA
United States

Description:
The 4th year Externship at the Boston VA anticipates a start date of May/June 2025.  The clinical experience includes hearing evaluation, hearing aid selection/fitting/repair with real ear, AR, cerumen management, Telehealth, CAPD, and ABR. In addition, the Externs rotate through the Progressive Tinnitus Management program and vestibular program. Balance testing includes posturaography, VNG with calorics, and Rotary Chair testing. In addition, the department has close relationship with the GRECC department and Externs work closely with GRECC physicians to identify those patients with hearing and communication needs. Externs participate in a symposium for GRECC fellows once a year. There is also an opportunity for ENT observation.

Number of externship positions:
2

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:
Historically, our site has been assigned 3 funded positions.

Clinical opportunities provided during the externship:

  • Audiologic evaluation
  • Immittance measures
  • Otoacoustic emissions
  • Hearing aid selection
  • Real Ear Measures
  • Hearing aid fitting
  • Assistive listening devices
  • Vestibular evaluation
  • Electrophysiology evaluation
  • Tinnitus evaluation
  • Tinnitus management
  • Cochlear Implant evaluation
  • Cochlear Implant programming
  • Auditory Processing evaluation
  • Cerumen Management
  • Telehealth program
  • ENT clinic
  • Aural Rehabilitation
  • Remote Fine Tuning

Clinical opportunities not listed above:
Collaboration with GRECC Clinic, Aural Rehabilitation

Externship site expects the extern to have mastered these skills before they begin their clinical externship:
Basic Audiometry to include masking
Basic hearing aid selection and fitting skills
Good earmold impression skills
Good report writing skills
Professional attitude toward patients, colleagues, and staff
Willingness to learn from preceptors
Willingness to work hard and be a team player

Externship site expects the extern to learn/demonstrate these skills during their clinical externship:
Ability to integrate constructive suggestions into patient care
Proficient in hearing aid selection and fitting
Perform vestibular evaluations
Identify and treat tinnitus patients
Grow in confidence and professionalism

Number of audiologists at site:
12

Number of staff at site:
17

Audiologists holding CCC-A certification:
9

Audiologists holding ABA certification:
2

What level of supervision is provided:
Full supervision inially, then gradual step down as the student becomes comfortable. ABR, Vestibular exams, and PTM are under direct supervision.

How many students per year both interns and externs:
5

Continuing Education opportunities:
Externs attend all in-clinic manufacturer trainings and may attend one off campus training of their choice.

Travel to satellites required?:
No

Are there interdisciplinary opportunities? If so what:
Observation of ENT Physician
Collaboration with GRECC Clinic

Are there research opportunities? If so what?:
No formal research opportunities.

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?
Expectations and deadlines for evaluation

Site’s application requirements:
Cover letter
Resume
3 letters of recommendation – at least 2 from clinical placements/VA clinic (if applicable)
Transcript (unofficial is okay)

Steps for the student/university to follow the application process:
All submissions should be electronic to Danielle Stiles: Danielle.Stiles@va.gov
Letters of recommendation may be sent by the student or the writer.

Site’s application deadline:
September 6, 2024

Site’s externship contact:
Danielle Stiles

Anticipated decision date:
October 1, 2024

My AVAA