Site:
Southern Arizona VA HealthCare System

Location:
3601 S. 6th Ave.
Building 38
Tucson, AZ 85724

Description:
The Audiology Department at the Southern Arizona VA Medical Center is pleased to announce an Audiology Clinical Doctorate Externship. Only US citizens are eligible to apply. The appointment is not to exceed twelve months or 2080 hours. Stipend will be offered through the Office of Academic Affiliation. The Tucson VAMC Audiology Department is comprised of 7.5 ASHA certified audiologists and 3 technicians.

Clinical work will includes:

diagnostic audiologic assessment;
electrophysiologic assessment
vestibular assessment
tinnitus evaluation and management (Lenire, Levo, Biofeedback, Mindfulness)
cochlear implants and bone anchored hearing aid candidacy evaluations and management
hearing aid selection, fitting, verification and adjustment

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: 2 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
Vestibular rehabilitation
Electrophysiology evaluation
Tinnitus evaluation
Tinnitus management
Cochlear Implant evaluation
Cochlear Implant management
Cerumen Management
Telehealth program
Industrial/hearing conservation

Clinical opportunities not listed above:
Rotary Chair Evaluation
Ototoxic Monitoring
Aural Rehabilitation
Tinnitus Classes

Externship site expects the extern to have mastered these skills before they begin their clinical externship: 
Ability to perform a full audiologic battery with minimal supervision;
Ability to select, fit, and adjust hearing devices based on audiogram, patient’s abilities and listening goals;
Ability to counsel and develop rapport with patients; and
Ability to demonstrate professionalism (arrive on time, be prepared for clinic, complete administrative tasks timely).

Externship site expects the extern to learn/demonstrate these skills during their clinical externship:
Expand on and become more efficient with audiologic evaluation and diagnostics;
Become more familiar with a wide range of hearing devices and accessories;
Develop a better understanding of specialty areas: Tinnitus, Vestibular, and Implantable devices;
Improve hearing aid troubleshooting and maintenance/care in Tech clinic;
Improve in the areas of Aural Rehabilitation and Tinnitus Education by participating in group classes.

Number of audiologists at site:
10.5

Number of staff at site:
15.5

Audiologists holding CCC-A certification:
7.5

Audiologists holding ABA certification:
0

What level of supervision is provided:
100% supervision at the start, decreasing over time

How many students per year both interns and externs:
1

Continuing Education opportunities:
Regular continued education from hearing aid manufacturers both in a group or one-on-one upon request

 Travel to satellites required?:
No

Are there interdisciplinary opportunities? If so what:
Tinnitus classes are facilitated by Audiology, Polytrauma, Speech Language Pathology, and Whole Health.  Audiology also collaborates with Oncology for Ototoxic Monitoring and the inpatient Blind Rehabilitation Programs to assist Veterans with dual sensory impairment.

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?
Instruction on evaluation process

Site’s application requirements:
Affiliation Agreement

Steps for the student/university to follow the application process:
Interested applicants are asked to submit the following:

• A letter of professional/career objectives
• Resume – must include FULL address and dates for ALL education and employment sites for the past 5 years
• Current graduate transcript
• Three letters of recommendation.  One from an on-campus supervisor and one from off-campus clinic supervisor.

All materials must be submitted in one PDF via email from the applicant to Fadyeh Barakat at fadyeh.barakat@va.gov

Site’s application deadline:
Wednesday, September 18, 2024

Site’s externship contact: 
Fadyeh Barakat, Au.D.

Anticipated decision date:
Monday, October 28, 2024