Site:
Loma Linda VA Healthcare System

Location:
11201 South Benton Street (126)

Building 30, Audiology
Loma Linda, CA 92357
United States

Description:
The Loma Linda VA Healthcare System is looking to host 1-3 4th year externs. Externs will have the opportunity to participate in diagnostic evaluations, hearing aid fitting, hearing aid aftercare, progressive tinnitus management, VNG/Balance assessment, cochlear implants, osseo-integrated device fitting and aftercare, ABR, OAEs, innovation and process improvement projects (for example 3D scanning and 3D printing), as well as rotations in the Auditory Research Lab (both human and animal research activities).

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:
The Loma Linda VA has hosted 2 funded externships yearly and 1 unfunded externship yearly.

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
• Cerumen Management
• Telehealth program
• ENT clinic
• Industrial/hearing conservation

Clinical opportunities not listed above:

• Auditory Research, innovation and process improvement projects
• Externs should have mastery of adult hearing evaluations, hearing aid fittng, and hearing aid aftercare

Externship site expects the extern to learn/demonstrate these skills during their clinical externship:

• Cochlear implant management
• Progressive tinnitus management
• Vestibular evaluation

Number of audiologists at site:
20

Number of staff at site:
38

Audiologists holding CCC-A certification:
2

Audiologists holding ABA certification:
1

What level of supervision is provided:
Graduated levels of supervision. Initially 100% with decreased direct supervision as extern masters skills.

Number of patients seen per year:
28000

How many students per year both interns and externs:
3

Continuing Education opportunities:
Off-site manufacturer trainings as available (with paid externship only). Students are also involved in all staff on-site trainings.

Travel to satellites required?:
Yes, Externs will have the opportunity to complete rotations at the Palm Desert and Murrieta community based out-patient clinics

Are there interdisciplinary opportunities? If so what:
Yes. Externs will have the opportunity to work in the progressive tinnitus management program with mental health services as well as rotations observing in the ENT department and auditory research if interested.

Are there research opportunities? If so what?:
Yes. Externs will have the opportunity to complete rotations in the Loma Linda VA Auditory Research Lab including both human and animal studies.

What communication or other support do you expect or require from university during externship?
Evaluations and deadlines per the university clinic coordinator.

Site’s application requirements:
Please submit the following information in one packet:

• Resume
• Letter of Intent
• 3 Letters of recommendation

Steps for the student/university to follow the application process:
Application materials should be submitted as one packet/PDF document. The extern may submit the electronic application packet or if needed the university clinical coordinator may submit the application packet on the extern’s behalf.

Electronic application packet with all of the above materials enclosed should be submitted by e-mail to brittney.keyworth2@va.gov

After the application packets are received externs will be contacted to schedule a telephone interview in early October.

Site’s application deadline:
September 22, 2023

Site’s externship contact:
Brittney Keyworth, Au.D. e-mail: brittney.keyworth2@va.gov

Anticipated decision date:
As early as October 2, 2023