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VA Northern California Health Care System

Site: 
VA Northern California Health Care System

Location:
10535 Hospital Way,
Mather, CA 95655
United States

Description: 
The VA Northern California Healthcare System is looking to host 5 Audiology externs. Externs will have the opportunity to participate in diagnostic evaluations, hearing aid fitting, hearing aid aftercare, progressive tinnitus management, VNG/Balance assessment, Central Auditory Processing evaluation and treatment, cochlear implants, Osseo-integrated device fitting and aftercare, ABR, OAEs, innovation and process improvement projects.  Externs may be state their preference for the following sites: Sacramento, Martinez, Stockton, Chico. They will also have the opportunity to rotate through Auburn, Yreka, Yuba City, Mare Island, Modesto, Sonora and Redding.

Number of externship positions: 
5

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: Our site has received funding for 2 positions for 2025-2026.

Clinical opportunities provided during this 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
  • Auditory Processing evaluation
  • Auditory Processing management
  • Cerumen Management
  • Telehealth program
  • Industrial/hearing conservation

Externship site expects the extern to have mastered these skills before they begin their clinical externship: 
Externs should be competent in performing a complete audiological evaluation and be able to select amplification and assistive listening devices appropriately based on audiological information and lifestyle.

Externship site expects the extern to learn/demonstrate these skills during their clinical externship: 
Externs should have mastery of adult hearing evaluations, hearing aid fitting, and hearing aid aftercare.

Cochlear implant management
Progressive tinnitus management
Central Auditory Processing evaluation and management
Vestibular evaluation

Number of audiologists at site: 
27

Number of staff at site: 
15

Audiologists holding CCC-A certification: 
12

Audiologists holding ABA certification: 
5

What level of supervision is provided: 
Preceptors are on site and provide direct supervision to the degree required

Number of patients seen per year: 
10000

How many students per year both interns and externs: 
10

Continuing Education opportunities: 
Off-site manufacturer trainings as available. Students are also involved in all staff on-site trainings.  Attendance at CAA and JDVAC is also encouraged.

Travel to satellites required?: 
Occasionally

Are there interdisciplinary opportunities? If so what: 
Yes. Externs will have the opportunity to work in the Progressive tinnitus management, Central auditory processing clinics and vestibular clinics as part of the Traumatic Brain Injury program.  They will work with SLP for Aural rehab as part of Cochlear implant Clinic.

Are there research opportunities? If so what?: 
Several research opportunities in the areas of diagnostics, amplification and tinnitus as part of ongoing patient care.

Do you have a consortium or collaborative arrangements with other sites that provides additional experience?:
No, but we have several clinics within our facility.

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
· 2 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 rupa.balachandran@va.gov

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

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

Site’s externship contact: 
Dr. Rupa Balachandran
rupa.balachandran@va.gov

Anticipated decision date: 
Friday, October 25, 2024

 

My AVAA