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: DOES NOT FUND EXTERNSHIP POSITIONS

Clinical opportunities provided during the externship:  
Audiologic evaluation
Immittance measures
Otoacoustic emissions
Hearing aid selection
Hearing aid fitting
Assistive listening devices
Vestibular evaluation
Tinnitus evaluation
Tinnitus management
Cochlear Implant evaluation
Cochlear Implant management
Auditory Processing evaluation
Auditory Processing management
Cerumen Management
Telehealth program
ENT clinic

Clinical opportunities not listed above:
Teleaudiology

Externship site expects the extern to have mastered these skills before they begin their clinical externship: 
Externs should have mastery of adult hearing evaluations, hearing aid fitting, and hearing aid aftercare

Externship site expects the extern to learn/demonstrate these skills during their clinical externship: 
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: 
5

Audiologists holding ABA certification: 
3

What level of supervision is provided: 
Graduated levels of supervision. Initially 100% with decreased direct supervision as extern masters skills.

Number of patients seen per year: 
25000

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

Travel to satellites required?: 
Yes

Are there interdisciplinary opportunities? If so what: 
Yes. Externs will have the opportunity to work in the progressive tinnitus management and Central auditory processing clinics as part of the Traumatic Brain Injury program.

Are there research opportunities? If so what?: 
Clinical research as part of regular patient care.

Do you have a consortium or collaborative arrangements with other sites that provides additional experience?:
We have 12 sites within our system and adding more.

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 as applications are processed.

Site’s application deadline: 
Friday, September 22, 2023

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

Anticipated decision date: 
Tuesday, October 3, 2023