Internship

INTRODUCTION

The Audiology internship training program at King Fahad Hospital of the University (KFHU) in Al-Khobar was the first to offer training to new graduates holding a Bachelor’s degree in speech-language-hearing disorders since 1999.
Being the only University Hospital in the Eastern Province, our internship program offers the highest quality training with strong emphasis on theoretical, scientific and practical aspects of the training implementing the latest evidence-based practices.
Today, our program receives graduates from other Saudi universities as well as international universities.

PROGRAM
Trainee will have the opportunity to be exposed to various aspects of audiology practice including:

• General auditory assessment.
• Newborn hearing screening.
• ABR testing.
• Cochlear implant candidacy assessment.
• CI fitting & Programming.
• BAHA & hearing aids fitting.
• Tinnitus evaluation & management.
• Vestibular practice, including testing, diagnosis and management.

PROGRAM OBJECTIVES

An entrance and an exit exam are completed on the first day of the rotation and during the last few week of the training, respectively. This is to have a base line assessment of the trainee which will help us to work in the aspects that need improvements.

The objectives of our program include the following:

•  Train the interns to obtain a detailed case history.
•  Expose the interns to various audiological & vestibular testing.
•  Train the interns how to choose appropriate test battery to evaluate patients of different age groups.
•  Hands on practice on various audiological & vestibular testing.
•  Train the interns how to interpret various tests’ findings and integrate them with patients’ history and examination to reach a diagnosis or a differential diagnoses.
•  Ability to construct management plan to treat common conditions.
•  Demonstrate & apply knowledge of infection control principles while testing patients.
•  Preparing a report, including interpreting data, summarizing findings, generating recommendations, and developing a management plan.
•  Expose the interns to the different audiological rehabilitative management plans that include, evaluation, selection, verification, validation, and dispensing of different amplification devices.
•  Train the interns to do counseling relating to psychosocial aspects of hearing loss and processes to enhance communication competence.
•  Expose the interns to the tools for prevention of hearing loss and protection of hearing function (e.g. Neonatal hearing screening).
•  Help the interns to attain the highest professional, ethical, and interpersonal skills and understand professional responsibilities.
•  Attend departmental scientific activity conducted weekly.
•  Attend and participate by giving a presentation twice during the internship period in Audiology & Speech Units’ activity.
•  Attend workshops or conferences related to the field held by Audiology unit or other units and departments at KFHU.

APPLICATION

Interested interns or trainee may contact the Directorate of Academic Affairs and Training at KFHU for further information and guidance of the application process (aat.inf@iau.edu.sa).

Introduction

King Fahad hospital of the University (KFHU) in Al-Khobar, is one the oldest and most renowned hospitals offering the highest quality of training in many health specialties including training and an internship program in the field of Speech-Language Pathology.

The internship program at the Speech-Language unit is considered a major stepping stone in providing graduates in the field a superior level of theoretical and clinical training leading to opening up many carrier opportunities in various settings once completed.

The internship program started in 1999 with the enrollment of graduates of King Saud University holding a Bachelors degree in speech-language-hearing disorders. The program continues to attract bachelors and masters level graduates in the field from Saudi Arabia and international universities from around the world including Canada, Jordan, and the USA.

The Saudi Commission of Health Specialties requires the completion of an one-year internship for graduates to be able to obtain a work license as a specialist in Speech and Language or in Speech-Language and Hearing.

Why enroll in the internship program in Speech-Language Pathology at KFHU:

Enrolling in our internship program provides the newly graduate the opportunity to obtain a distinguished scientific and practical training under the teaching and supervision of highly qualified doctors and specialists with different areas of experience in the field of speech, language and swallowing disorders from national and international institutions, using the latest evidence-based practices and methods that goes with the standards of national and international speech and language associations like ASHA ( American Speech-Language-Hearing Association) and SSSPA (Saudi Society of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology).

Mission Statement

Graduating Specialists in Speech and Language/Speech-Language and hearing that have a high set of practical and clinical skills and a strong scientific and theoretical background.
In addition, to have the ability to provide a caring and supportive environment for the patient to feel supported, confident, and reach his/her maximum potential.

Goals:

High Quality and Diverse Teaching/Training:

• Expose the intern to a diverse range of speech, language, swallowing disorders in both children and adults.
• Teach and train how to conduct thorough diagnostic evaluations, write up treatment plans, conduct the therapy session, and how to counsel, support , and include family in the entire process.
•  Provide the intern with opportunities to observe senior clinicians, co-conduct the session with supervising clinician, before conducting the session as the primary therapist with complete supervision.
• Provide the intern with hands on training, continues feedback and discussions before and after sessions, in addition to formal detailed written general and clinical evaluations throughout the internship period.
•  Teach interns how to write and document initial assessments, treatment plans, and follow up therapy sessions.
• Help interns attain the highest professional, ethical, and interpersonal skills and understand professional responsibilities.
• Attend departmental scientific activity conducted weekly.
• Attend and participate by giving a presentation twice during the internship period in the weekly Speech and Audiology units activity.
• Attend workshops or conferences related to the field held by the speech-language unit or other units and departments at KFHU.
• Participate in creating educational pamphlets and handouts on speech-language disorders.
• Provide and create a supportive environment for personal and professional growth.

Collaborative Relationships:

• Teach interns how to work collaboratively and professionally with other members in the unit and department and how to work on an interdisciplinary team.

Community Integration:

• Support and encourage interns participation in raising community awareness and participation in awareness campaigns.
• Provide the interns with a platform to establish professional relationships that can help in their future professional career.
• Open up opportunities for graduating interns to give back to society by being able to provide services and work in many different settings including: schools, clinics, hospitals, and rehabilitation centers amongst others.