Site:
Captain James A. Lovell Federal Health Care Center

Location:
3001 Green Bay Rd
North Chicago, IL  60064
United States

Description:
The Captain James A. Lovell Federal Health Care Center is the nation’s only fully integrated VA and Navy Hospital. Our main facility is located in the suburb of North Chicago, IL, (about 1 hour north of the city of Chicago, which is accessible from the city/northern suburbs by train). We also provide services at 3 CBOCs – McHenry, IL (in-person & tele-health), Evanston, IL (in-person & tele-health) and Kenosha, WI (in-person).

Our audiology team offers a broad range of audiology services including a comprehensive vestibular program, progressive tinnitus management, tele-audiology, APD testing and – unique to the VA – pediatric audiology. The vestibular program is known for its wide range of diagnostic services including rotational chair, VNG, VEMPs, EcoG, vHIT, and posturography.

Number of externship positions:
2 funded positions

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 2 funded positions, for a total of two externs

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
Auditory Processing evaluation
Cerumen Management
Telehealth program
ENT clinic
Industrial/hearing conservation
Pediatric evaluations
Clinical opportunities not listed above:
(No response)

Externship site expects the extern to have mastered these skills before they begin their clinical externship:
-Ability to complete a basic audiologic test battery
-Ability to complete a basic hearing aid selection and fitting, including ability to take good ear mold impressions and perform real-ear measures
-Demonstrate comprehensive report writing skills

Externship site expects the extern to learn/demonstrate these skills during their clinical externship:
-Increase testing efficiency
-Increase knowledge and skill level in the areas of vestibular testing, tele-health, hearing aids and pediatrics
-Increase skills in interprofessional communication and clinical decision making

Number of audiologists at site:
11

Number of staff at site:
20

Audiologists holding CCC-A certification:
2

Audiologists holding ABA certification:
0

What level of supervision is provided:
100% supervision in that students do not have their own schedules

Number of patients seen per year:
14704

How many students per year both interns and externs:
6

Continuing Education opportunities:
Students are able to sit in on vendor trainings and other learning opportunities available to the Audiologists, which in the past have included training on real-ear equipment, new vestibular equipment and interdisciplinary discussions.

Travel to satellites required?:
Yes – Externs will spend 1-2 days a week for one semester at one of the three CBOC locations

Are there interdisciplinary opportunities? If so what:
Students have the opportunity to attend TBI team meetings.

Are there research opportunities? If so what?:
No formal research projects but some opportunity for independent study in areas of student interest.

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?
We expect frequent communication prior to having the extern start while setting up academic affiliations, once the student is on board we expect email communication a few times each semester.

Site’s application requirements:
1. Letter of interest
2. Resume, including the contact information for a supervisor at each clinical placement
3. A minimum of two signed letters of recommendation including at least one from a clinical supervisor
4. Transcripts

Steps for the student/university to follow the application process:
Interested applicants should submit the above documents to margaret.sweeney@va.gov by COB on 9/15/2023. Letters of recommendation directly from supervisors preferred. Interviews will be conducted virtually via TEAMS.

Site’s application deadline:
9/15/23

Site’s externship contact:
Margaret Sweeney margaret.sweeney@va.gov

Anticipated decision date:
10/13/2023