Site:
Hines VA test

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

Description:
The fourth year externship at Edward Hines Jr. VA Hospital outside Chicago, beginning in May/June 2021 provides clinical experiences to include, but not limited to, hearing evaluations, hearing aid selection/fittings and follow up, real-ear measurements, electrophysiologic measures (i.e., ABR, ASSR, VEMP), balance testing, cerumen management, OAEs, CAPD and tinnitus evaluations and management. In addition, the clinic has a cochlear implant program and provides other implantable devices such as BAHA, has a robust telehealth program, and provides coverage to a busy ENT clinic. This population allows for students to experience patients with multiple medical and psychological conditions including traumatic brain injury and PTSD.

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:
Has 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
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

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:
4

Audiologists holding CCC-A certification:
1

Audiologists holding ABA certification:
0

What level of supervision is provided:
supervisors always in clinic area

Number of patients seen per year:
20000

How many students per year both interns and externs:
10

Continuing Education opportunities:
Students will participate in all in house trainings and be able to attend conferences

Travel to satellites required?:
no

Are there interdisciplinary opportunities? If so what:
TBI group team meetings
Cochlear implant team
ENT clinic
We work closely with blind rehab center

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?
As needed

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.

Steps for the student/university to follow the application process:
Submit the resume, 3 letters of recommendation, and personalized letter of intent regarding goals in and for audiology to christine.ulinski@va.gov.

Site’s application deadline:
TBD

Site’s externship contact:
christine.ulinski@va.gov

Anticipated decision date:
TBD