Site:
Edward Hines Jr. VA Hospital

Location:
5000 S. 5th Avenue, Audiology (126)
Hines, IL 60141
United States

Description:

The fourth year externship beginning in May/June 2023 provides clinical experiences to include, but not limited to, hearing evaluations, hearing aid selection/fitting/follow up/repair, real-ear measurements, electrophysiologic measures, balance testing, cerumen management, OAEs, CAPD, and tinnitus management. In addition, the clinic has a cochlear implant program and provides other implantable devices, has a robust telehealth program, and provides coverage to ENT clinic. COVID19 precautions in place.

This population allows for students to experience patients with multiple medical and psychological conditions including TBI and PTSD, and our clinic design allows collaboration with different preceptors throughout the year.

Number of externship positions:
3

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 we have had 1 funded 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
Auditory Processing evaluation
Auditory Processing management
Cerumen Management
Telehealth program
ENT clinic
Industrial/hearing conservation

Clinical opportunities not listed above:
Collaboration with Blind Rehabilitation Center
Externship site expects the extern to have mastered these skills before they begin their clinical externship:
-Basic audiometry including masking
-Basic hearing aid fitting, selection, real ear measurements, maintenance such as tubing changes, modifications
-Good ear mold impressions
-Knowledge of electrophysiological measurements
-Knowledge of vestibular evaluations
-Solid report writing skills
-Professional attitudes toward patients, colleagues, and staff
-Knowledge of billing and coding procedures
-Willingness to learn
-Willingness to work hard

Externship site expects the extern to learn/demonstrate these skills during their clinical externship:
-Increased clinical proficiency
-Increased professionalism
-Demonstrate various aspects of patient centered care
-Ability to integrate constructive suggestions
-Ability to make sound clinical judgments

Number of audiologists at site:
9

Number of staff at site:
13

Audiologists holding CCC-A certification:
3

Audiologists holding ABA certification:
0

What level of supervision is provided:
direct

Number of patients seen per year:
30,000

How many students per year both interns and externs:
7

Continuing Education opportunities:
Students are invited to participate in all staff training and encouraged to attend local and national conferences

Travel to satellites required?:
Yes, to the Joliet CBOC

Are there interdisciplinary opportunities? If so what:
Polytrauma and Blind Rehabilitation Center

Are there research opportunities? If so what?:
We are open to research but don’t do anything formal at this time

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, Support for all pertinent evaluation forms, Will provide timely awareness of all student deadlines, Coordinating on student expectations

Site’s application requirements:
An agreement of affiliation will need to be completed between the sponsoring University and the VA prior to the start of any externship. Student should submit resume, 3 reference letters, preferably from outside clinic supervisors and a personalized letter of intent regarding their goals in and for audiology. CCC supervised hours are limited.

Steps for the student/university to follow the application process:
Send resume, letter of intent, and reference letters to christine.ulinski@va.gov

Site’s application deadline:
9/16/2022

Site’s externship contact:
Christine Ulinski