Site:
Rocky Mountain Regional VA

Location:
1700 N Wheeling Street
Aurora, Colorado 80045
United States

Description:
12 month externship in a busy VA clinic serving adult and geriatric Veterans

Number of externship positions:
2 funded positions

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 been awarded funding for two externs.

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
Industrial/hearing conservation

Clinical opportunities not listed above:
GRECC program partnership

VHA LEAN Training

Externship site expects the extern to have mastered these skills before they begin their clinical externship:
Superior customer service skills

Ability to function in busy clinic setting

Solid foundation in basic audiometry

Experience selecting, fitting and verifying hearing aids

Basic knowledge of site of lesion and electrophysiologic testing

Basic knowledge of vestibular diagnostic testing

Ability and willingness to ask questions and take instruction from multiple preceptors
Externship site expects the extern to learn/demonstrate these skills during their clinical externship:
Ability to work as part of a team and jump in wherever there is the greatest demand.

Ability to identify when it is appropriate and refer to other specialties when indicated.

Proficient in selecting, fitting, verifying and troubleshooting hearing aids and accessories from all (most) of the major manufacturers.

Evaluate and treat tinnitus patients.

Provide cochlear implant evaluation

Perform vestibular evaluation

Ability to recommend a treatment plan based on the needs of the patient.

Number of audiologists at site:
11

Number of staff at site:
12

Audiologists holding CCC-A certification:
5

Audiologists holding ABA certification:
1

What level of supervision is provided:
100% until competence is prove, then slowly allow independence

Number of patients seen per year:
16000

How many students per year both interns and externs:
9

Continuing Education opportunities:
Hearing aid manufacturers provide in house and on site CEU training. Possibility to attend national JDVAC conference. Flexibility to attend local or national conferences with supervisor approval.

Travel to satellites required?:
yes, 25 miles

Are there interdisciplinary opportunities? If so what:
GRECC program participation

Are there research opportunities? If so what?:
Students are encouraged to express interest and propose clinic improvement projects during externship.

Do you have a consortium or collaborative arrangements with other sites that provides additional experience?:
University of Colorado and GRECC program

What communication or other support do you expect or require from university during externship?
Reminders to complete any evaluations required by the university. Tools to complete student evaluations efficiently, e.g., Calipso.

Site’s application requirements:
Letter of Intent
Resume/CV
3 Letters of Recommendation

Steps for the student/university to follow the application process:
email application requirements directly to Sarah Coppinger, Au.D

Site’s application deadline:

Applications are due 09/22/23 by COB. RMR will be following the ACEN timeline for applications and interviews.

September 25, 2023 interviews begin

October 23, 2023 offers extended

October 24, 2023 student response deadline

Site’s externship contact:
sarah.coppinger@va.gov

Anticipated decision date:
10/23/2023