Site:
Hershel “Woody” Williams VAMC

Location:
1540 Spring Valley Drive
Huntington, WV  25704
United States

Description:
The Hershel “Woody” Williams VA Medical Center in Huntington, WV is excited to announce 2 full-time openings for a one year externship opportunity.

Huntington, WV is located along the Ohio River and borders Ohio and Kentucky. It is the home of Marshall University, and the campus is located downtown. There are many shopping and dining establishments in Huntington and also in neighboring cities (Barboursville, WV and Ashland, KY). Huntington is within 3 hours of many larger cities including Cincinnati, Columbus, Louisville, and Lexington so there are many opportunities for weekend travel. There are also many state parks located a short drive away with hiking trails, lakes, and beautiful scenery, especially in the fall.

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:
is funded for two externships

Clinical opportunities provided during the externship:
Audiologic evaluation
Immittance measures
Otoacoustic emissions
Hearing aid selection
Hearing aid fitting
Assistive listening devices
Vestibular evaluation
Electrophysiology evaluation
Tinnitus management
Cochlear Implant evaluation
Cochlear Implant management
Auditory Processing evaluation
Cerumen Management
Telehealth program
Clinical opportunities not listed above:
(No response)

Externship site expects the extern to have mastered these skills before they begin their clinical externship:
Externs should be proficient in routine diagnostic testing, hearing aid selection, hearing aid fittings, and hearing aid adjustments prior to fourth year externship. Obviously we understand that help will be needed for some patients, but we feel extern should have a working knowledge of basic audiology skills at the beginning of placement.

Externship site expects the extern to learn/demonstrate these skills during their clinical externship:
Extern will become proficient in specialized audiology services such as vestibular testing, cochlear implant evaluation and mappings, and tinnitus management. Extern will also refine basic audiology skills and learn to function independently toward the end of their placement.

Number of audiologists at site:
9

Number of staff at site:
12

Audiologists holding CCC-A certification:
5

Audiologists holding ABA certification:
0

What level of supervision is provided:
Supervisor is always available. 100% supervision will be provided at beginning of placement and then gradually backed off during placement

Number of patients seen per year:
12000

How many students per year both interns and externs:
2

Continuing Education opportunities:
Externs participate in onsite trainings with manufacturer representatives. They can also attend 1 off-site conference.

Travel to satellites required?:
Possibly to 2 sites one hour away

Are there interdisciplinary opportunities? If so what:
Our externs consult ENT, physical therapy and other departments within our facility.

Are there research opportunities? If so what?:
No

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 dates for evaluations required

Site’s application requirements:
Interested students should submit the following to aimee.pannell@va.gov

1. Cover letter
2. Resume
3. Three recommendation letters
4. Unofficial transcripts

Please email application materials by 09/22/2023 to be considered for the position.

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

Site’s application deadline:
09/22/2023

Site’s externship contact:
Aimee J. Pannell, Au.D.
aimee.pannell@va.gov