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 is a large, high-complexity healthcare system comprised of the main facility in Loma Linda, the Jerry L. Pettis Memorial Veterans Hospital, and several Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs) in various locations throughout the Inland Empire. The Audiology and Speech Pathology Service serves Veterans and families/caregivers at the main site and three CBOCs (Murrieta, Palm Desert, and Victorville).

We are a top-performing service both within our healthcare system and when compared to other VA Audiology sites throughout the nation. Our team is professional, friendly, diverse, and highly skilled.

Our externship program has a strong track record of producing well-rounded and capable AuDs, many of which have been hired as full-time staff at our site or other VA healthcare systems.

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 our site has received two funded externships and we typically offer a third unpaid position if there is interest.

Clinical opportunities provided during the externship:

• Comprehensive audiologic evaluations (pure-tones, speech, immittance)
• Hearing aid evaluations, fittings, and aftercare
• Assistive listening devices
• Vestibular evaluation (including rotary chair and vHIT)
• Electrophysiology (ABR, ECoG, cVEMP)
• Progressive Tinnitus Management
• Cochlear Implant evaluations, management
• Cerumen Management (curette, suction)
• Telehealth

Clinical opportunities not listed above:

• Auditory Research (both human and animal research activities)
• Innovation and process improvement projects
• Collaboration with ENT
• Industrial/hearing conservation (if desired)

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

• Time management
• Patient interaction / customer service
• Documentation for medical records

Number of audiologists at site:
18

Number of staff at site:
35

Audiologists holding CCC-A certification:
3

Audiologists holding ABA certification:
1

What level of supervision is provided:
Supervision is dependent on extern proficiency. Initially all students receive direct supervision for all appointment types. Externs are gradually offered increasing independence as their skills progress and are often transitioned to indirect supervision (preceptor still on site and available for questions) after 2-3 months.

Number of patients seen per year:
28000

How many students per year both interns and externs:
4

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

Travel to satellites required?:

Travel to satellite sites is encouraged but not required. Typically, externs float to a satellite site once or twice per week once they achieve independence at the main facility. Satellite sites include Murrieta, Palm Desert, and Victorville.

Are there interdisciplinary opportunities? If so what:
Yes. Regular collaboration occurs between Audiology and the following: ENT, Psychology, and Auditory Research.

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 charles.bishop3@va.gov

After the application packets are received externs will be contacted to schedule an interview (either in-person or through video conferencing).

Site’s application deadline:
September 18, 2024

Site’s externship contact:
C. Matt Bishop, Au.D. (e-mail: charles.bishop3@va.gov)

Anticipated decision date:
Depending on interview scheduling, initial offers may be extended in early- or mid-October, but no later than 10/25/24.