Audiologist

As a Clinical Audiologist and Officer in Navy clinical care you will provide a wide range of clinical support services for a diverse population. Working within clinical, occupational or educational audiology, you may:

• Perform routine and advanced auditory examinations
• Note any possible changes in hearing and instruct people on how to properly protect themselves from noise exposure
• Diagnose, evaluate and assess the impact of hearing loss on communication
• Enhance communication ability through aural rehabilitative support
• Ensure the auditory combat readiness of Navy and Marine personnel
• Serve as consultant manager of Navy/Marine Corps Hearing Conservation Programs, demonstrating how crews’ earplugs are inserted correctly and ensuring that cranial/earmuffs fit well and are in good condition

Navy Audiologists may serve among aviation, shipboard and U.S. Marine Corps communities stationed throughout the globe – or at any one of more than 250 Navy and medical facilities from Hawaii to Japan, Germany to Guam, and Washington, D.C., to Washington state.

As an Audiologist, you could also work at one of the highly acclaimed national medical centers in Bethesda, MD, Portsmouth, VA, or San Diego, CA. You could provide medical assistance during humanitarian relief operations after natural disasters such as earthquakes and tsunamis, while also supporting flight crews aboard one of our two dedicated hospital ships: the USNS Comfort and USNS Mercy.

Those pursuing an Audiologist position are required to attend Officer Development School (ODS) in Newport, RI. ODS is a five-week program that provides a comprehensive and intense introduction to the responsibilities of Navy Staff Corps Officers. Here they learn about the military structure of the U.S. Navy, its rich history of traditions and customs, leadership development and military etiquette.

Once that training is complete, you will learn the ins and outs of life as an Audiologist at your first assignment.

Promotion opportunities are regularly available but competitive and based on performance.

Post-Service Opportunities

It’s also important to note that specialized training received and work experience gained in the course of service can lead to valuable credentialing and occupational opportunities in related fields.

The Navy offers generous scholarships, financial assistance and continuing education programs. You can finish your education with little or no debt, and learn to lead others, further distinguishing your career, enhancing your credentials and expanding the boundaries of your expertise. Plus, if you’re a student or resident, you can concentrate on your education or training, with no military/training obligation until after your program is completed.

Students

The Navy may pay for your medical education. You don’t need to attend a military medical school. Attend a school of your choice and you may emerge debt-free. With the Navy Health Professions Scholarship Program (HPSP), you may receive 100% tuition coverage during medical school, plus a monthly stipend, reimbursement of expenses and up to $20,000 sign-on bonus. Or, with the Navy Health Services Collegiate Program (HSCP), you may receive from $157,000 to $269,000 while attending medical school. This includes a monthly military salary, a housing allowance, and a comprehensive health care benefits package.

Residents

Residents may get supplemental income in medical residency through the Navy Financial Assistance Program (FAP), which may offer you $275,000 or more during your medical residency, including an annual $45,000 grant, a monthly stipend and reimbursement for out-of-pocket expenses.

Practicing Audiologists

Through the Navy Health Professions Loan Repayment Program (HPLRP), you may be eligible to receive financial assistance to pay down the cost of your graduate education.

All offers have many variables. To get details and find out which offer would benefit you most, request a medical recruiter contact you.

A degree from a four-year college or university is a minimum educational requirement to become a Commissioned Officer. You must also attend Officer Training. There may be exceptions to the degree requirements based on extensive service experience. Additional qualifications include:

• Be a U.S. citizen currently practicing in the U.S.
• Master’s degree in Audiology or Doctor of Audiology (Au.D.) degree
• State licensure
• Board certification through either the American Board of Audiology (ABA) or the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA)
• Be willing to serve a minimum of three years of Active Duty
• Be between the ages of 18 and 41
• Be in good physical condition and pass a full medical examination

You may also be expected to meet certain preferred requirements:

• Interest in clinical, industrial (occupational) or educational audiology
• Ability to work with a diverse population in a variety of medical settings

General qualifications may vary depending upon whether you’re currently serving, whether you've served before or whether you've never served before.

Serving part-time as a Reserve Sailor, your duties will be carried out during your scheduled drilling and training periods. During monthly drilling, Audiologists in the Navy Reserve typically work at a location close to their homes. This gives you the flexibility to expand your medical experience in the Navy without compromising your civilian practice at home.

For annual training, Audiologists may serve anywhere in the world, whether at sea, in hospitals stateside, or in bases and camps in countries around the world.

Take a moment to learn more about the general roles and responsibilities of Navy Reserve Sailors.

Most of what you do in the Navy Reserve is considered training. The basic Navy Reserve commitment involves training a minimum of one weekend a month (referred to as drilling) and two weeks a year (referred to as Annual Training) – or the equivalent.

Audiologists in the Navy Reserve serve in an Officer role. Before receiving the ongoing professional training that comes with this job, initial training requirements must first be met.

For current or former Navy Officers (NAVET): Prior experience satisfies the initial leadership training requirement – so you will not need to go through Officer Training again.

For current or former Officers of military branches other than the Navy (OSVET), as well as for Officer candidates without prior military experience: Officer candidates are required to attend Officer Development School (ODS) in Newport, RI. ODS is a five-week program that provides a comprehensive and intense introduction to the responsibilities of Navy Staff Corps Officers. Officers who previously held a commission in another United States Military Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Public Health Service, or United States Coast Guard are exempt from attending ODS or LDO/CWO Academy.

With flexible training options, Medical Officers in the Navy Reserve can comfortably balance civilian and military schedules. You can maintain your own life and your own practice – enriching both with the rewarding work you do for others.

The Navy Medical Corps offers you a truly diverse variety of academic, clinical and operational settings in which to practice. In some cases, you can even work in the same civilian hospital or setting you work in now. What’s more, you will enjoy an unrivaled sense of pride and fulfillment known only to those who serve.

As an Audiologist in the Navy Medical Corps Reserve, you’ll receive a first-rate benefits package – including your choice of any one of these three generous financial offers:

• Up to $50,000 per year in specialty pay
• Up to $250,000 in medical school loan repayment assistance
• An immediate one-time sign-on bonus of up to $10,000

Navy Reserve Sailors joining the Medical Corps as residents can get monthly stipend in excess of $2,200 while completing residency, plus up to $250,000 in medical school loan repayment assistance. Offers based on service commitment. Contact a Navy Reserve Medical Officer Recruiter for complete offer details.