Health Technician (Telehealth Clinical)

This is an open continuous announcement until 09/23/2024 or when a selection is made.


The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) supports the provision of patient care using telehealth technologies which increase a Veteran's access to care and support a Veteran's self-management. This includes developing and delivering virtual and digital technologies which help Veterans communicate synchronously and asynchronously with their health care teams and coordinate, track/manage their health care.

Qualifications:

Basic Requirements:

• United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
• English Language Proficiency: Health Technician (Telehealth Clinical) must be proficient in spoken and written English.
• Education and/or Experience:
  • Experience. One year of experience in a health care field that demonstrates the applicant's ability to perform the work or provides an understanding of the work such as but not limited to a medical or clinical assistant (or technician) or health technician. OR,
  • Education. Four academic years above high school leading to a bachelor's degree with courses related to the occupation. OR
  • Experience/Education Combination. Equivalent combinations of experience and education are qualifying.
• Certification: None

May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria).

Grade Determinations:

GS-5, Health Technician (Telehealth Clinical) (Entry Level)


Experience: None beyond the basic requirements above.
References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/46, PART II, APPENDIX G50

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-06.

The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-05 to GS-06.

Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.

Responsibilities:

Major duties include, but are not limited to the following:

• Preparing the clinical environment, which may include preparing medical and telecommunications equipment to be used for clinical examination and treatment;
• Serving as a telepresenter per scope of practice, during clinical video telehealth (CVT) and VVC encounters including tasks such as establishing and maintaining video conferencing connections, making introductions between patient site and provider site, following instructions of a clinician to facilitate an effective clinical encounter;
• Serving as an imager and data manager for store and forward telehealth (SFT) clinical encounters including tasks such as capturing images, collecting data and transmitting them electronically for clinical review in accordance with VHA national guidelines;
• Taking measures to ensure patient care is delivered safely by following appropriate procedures for the cleaning of clinical equipment and the care environment while following all patient safety guidelines, protocols, and procedures;
• Completing standardized clinical questionnaires and templates within scope of training and applicable guidelines; - ensuring that patient privacy is protected by complying with all information security and patient privacy regulations;
• Receiving and scheduling requests for simple and complex intra-facility, and inter facility telehealth appointments using an electronic resource-based scheduling system;
• Screening patients for Telehealth modality and referring patients that do not meet established criteria to appropriate care;
• Monitoring and maintaining schedules of rooms, patients, technologies, clinical providers and presenters as needed to ensure efficient telehealth operations;
• Providing patient education via approved materials;
• Supporting the Veteran in completing patient satisfaction surveys;
• Communicating effectively with clinical and administrative staff at the assigned local site and those located at remote sites of care;
• Configuring, installing, troubleshooting, cleaning, and performing minor routine maintenance of assigned telehealth technology;
• Ensuring assigned telehealth technologies are secured, ready for use, and accounted for by preparing and tracking maintenance work orders, information systems, inventory records, and communicating with National Telehealth Technology Help Desk to facilitate troubleshooting, repair, and coordination of replacement equipment as necessary;
• Providing established education and training to Veterans and clinicians on the use of telehealth technologies and serving as a point of contact to answer questions and address concerns related to these technologies;
• Maintaining knowledge of and skill in applying an extensive body of rules, procedures, and operations in telehealth-related technologies and a variety of computer hardware and software used for telecommunications, data entry and retrieval, record maintenance, document and report generation;
• Maintaining regular contact with more experienced staff members and the Facility Telehealth Coordinator to work out process issues, equipment needs, problems, data collection and any other logistical issues;
• Arranging and completing test video calls with Veterans to prepare the Veterans for clinical encounters using telehealth technologies;
• Ensuring information and resources are maintained for local and remote telehealth providers so they can effectively execute contingency and emergency plans.

Work Schedule: 8-4:40 M-F, FULL TIME
Telework: NOT AVAILABLE
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 000000
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: NOT AVAILABLE
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required