Site:
Lexington VA Health Care System

Location:
1101 Veteran’s Drive
Lexington, Kentucky 40502
United States

Description:
Lexington VA Health Care System is located in the heart of the Bluegrass with 9 full-time staff audiologists, 6 health technicians and 3 clerical support persons. In addition to our Lexington locations, we also have outpatient clinics in Berea, KY and Somerset, KY. We perform hearing evaluations, hearing aid fittings, compensation and pension examinations, ABR, OAE, VNG, rotary chair testing, VHIT, VEMP, Posturography, CAPD evaluations, tinnitus management program, group aural rehab classes and Cochlear Implant Surgery and Programming. 4th year Externs are given exposure to all aspects of our clinic as well as tailored experiences based on interests/needs.

Number of externship positions:
1

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:
Since 2013, the Lexington VA has been awarded 1 OAA funded position each year. Our site typically interviews Extern candidates in mid-October of each year with students notified by early November. However, we cannot guarantee funding until OAA announces the release of funds which typically occurs in January following the interviews.

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

Clinical opportunities not listed above:
group aural rehabilitation; Polytrauma team

Externship site expects the extern to have mastered these skills before they begin their clinical externship:
The Lexington VA is looking for Extern applicants who have a desire to learn and grow their skills within the field of Audiology. First and foremost, Externs are students and will be provided experiences to enhance their learning.

Externship site expects the extern to learn/demonstrate these skills during their clinical externship:
The approach to the Extern year at the Lexington VA is a graduated level of supervision/independence. Externs are expected to refine their skills throughout the Externship year to allow them to perform as independent providers following their experience.

Number of audiologists at site:
9

Number of staff at site:
15

Audiologists holding CCC-A certification:
7

What level of supervision is provided:
graduated level of responsibility

Number of patients seen per year:
16000

How many students per year both interns and externs:
6

Continuing Education opportunities:
Externs will be able to attend all in-house hearing aid manufacturer & vendor trainings which are typically scheduled once a month. Externs can attend off-site manufacturer trainings and additional professional conferences as requested.

Travel to satellites required?:
No

Are there interdisciplinary opportunities? If so what:
Externs will have the opportunity to work with a variety of interdisciplinary clinics including:

• Low Vision Clinic (VIST/BROS)
• Traumatic Brain Injury Clinic/Staffings
• Speech Pathology (directly related to CAPD)
• ENT – clinics & to surgery observation
• Physical Therapy (including vestibular rehab therapy)
• Community Living Center

Are there research opportunities? If so what?:
While the Lexington VA Audiology supports any research endeavors of Externs/Students, we do not currently have any ongoing research projects.

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?
Minimum of Mid-Term and Final Evaluations; other requirements as required by the University and as student needs dictate

Site’s application requirements:
-Cover Letter
-Resume/Curriculum Vitae
-2 Letters of Recommendation

Steps for the student/university to follow the application process:
-Applicants should e-mail Cover Letter and Resume directly to the Audiology Student Affairs Coordinator
-Letters of Recommendation should be e-mailed directly to the Audiology Student Affairs Coordinator

Courtney Cooper, Au.D.
Audiology Student Affairs Coordinator
Lexington VA Health Care System
Courtney.cooper2@va.gov

Affiliation Agreements will be established as needed once the Extern is selected

Site’s application deadline:
September 9, 2023

Site’s externship contact:
Courtney Cooper, Au.D.

Anticipated decision date:
November 6, 2023