Site:
Temple TX VAMC

Location:
1901 Veterans Memorial Dr.
Temple, TX 76504

Description:
The Temple Texas VAMC is currently accepting applications for a 4th year audiology extern. The Audiology Service includes 7 audiologists and 4 technicians. Services provided include general diagnostics, OAE, ABR, hearing aid selection/fitting/follow-ups/repair, real-ear measures, tinnitus management, aural rehab classes, CI evaluations/mapping,  virtual care/programming, and balance assessment (VNG, vHIT, calorics, Epley).

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:   –

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
Auditory Processing evaluation
Auditory Processing management
Cerumen Management
Telehealth program
ENT clinic
In-patient audiologic services

Clinical opportunities not listed above:
None

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

• Ability to complete basic audiologic test battery
• Ability to complete basic hearing aid selection and fitting, to include earmold impressions and familiarity with real ear measures.
• Report writing skills

Externship site expects the extern to learn/demonstrate these skills during their clinical externship:
Increase overall proficiency and clinical decision making.

Number of audiologists at site:
7

Number of staff at site:
12

Audiologists holding CCC-A certification:
3

Audiologists holding ABA certification:
0

What level of supervision is provided:
100% – students do not have their own schedules

Number of patients seen per year:
10,000

How many students per year both interns and externs:
1

Continuing Education opportunities:
We have hearing aid manufacturer or equipment vendor training several times per year. Students can also attend any other learning opportunities available to Audiologists.

Travel to satellites required?:
No

Are there interdisciplinary opportunities? If so what:
Opportunity to engage with ENT/otology.

Are there research opportunities? If so what?:
None currently

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?
Affiliation agreement and TQCVL. Support for evaluation forms and deadlines. Coordinating on student expectations.

Site’s application requirements:
1. Letter of interest
2. Resume
3. Three signed letters of recommendation (at least one from an off-campus placement)
4. Copy of recent transcript (unofficial)

Steps for the student/university to follow the application process:
Send letter of intent, resume, letters of recommendation, and transcript to Steven.Steer@va.gov.

Site’s application deadline:
September 30, 2023

Interview dates:
TBD

Site’s externship contact: 
Steven Steer, Au.D, CCC-A
Steven.Steer@va.gov

Anticipated decision date:
TBD