HEALTH TECHNICIAN (TELEHEALTH CLINICAL)

Summary

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.

About the Role

This is an entry level Health Technician (Telehealth Clinical) position. It is expected that the Health Technician (Telehealth Clinical) receive guidance from more experienced staff members and require frequent and direct supervision. Assignments associated with this position include but are not limited to:

• Schedule telehealth appointments using an electronic scheduling system
• Obtain and document patient history and pertinent clinical information in electronic medical records
• Prepares the telehealth room where the Health Technician (Telehealth Clinical) readies the equipment for examination - establishes video conferencing connection - makes introductions between patient site and provider site
• Maintains electronic schedule of rooms - patients - technologies - and presenters
• Monitors and maintains electronic schedule of rooms - patients - technologies - and presenters
• Administers the patient satisfaction survey
• Cleans and performs minor routine maintenance of assigned telehealth technology

Responsibilities

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

• Schedule telehealth appointments using an electronic scheduling system
• Obtain and document patient history and pertinent clinical information in electronic medical records
• Prepares the telehealth room where the Health Technician (Telehealth Clinical) readies the equipment for examination - establishes video conferencing connection - makes introductions between patient site and provider site
• Maintains electronic schedule of rooms - patients - technologies - and presenters
• Administers the patient satisfaction survey
• Cleans and performs minor routine maintenance of assigned telehealth technology

Health Technician (Telehealth Clinical) - GS-6 (Full Performance Level)

• Screens patients for Telehealth modality and refers patients that do not meet established criteria to appropriate care
• Communicates effectively with administrative and professional staff and obtains assistance for issues that may arise or backlogs that cannot be resolved in a timely manner
• Performs imaging duties in accordance with VHA national telehealth guidelines
• Schedules - confirms and coordinates Telehealth services between internal and external VA and non-VA sites
• Analyzes own work flow to determine potential problem areas and recommends corrective action to improve coordination between various units/facilities
• Communicates with National Telehealth Technology Help Desk to facilitate troubleshooting - repair - and coordination of replacement equipment as necessary

Requirements

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
• Experience and Education
• Experience
• Education
• Experience/Education Combination
• Equivalent combination of experience and education are qualifying for entry level for which both education and experience are acceptable
• English Language Proficiency

Qualifications

Experience or Education

• None beyond the basic requirements
• 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
• Four academic years above high school leading to a bachelor's degree with courses related to the occupation
• An associate's degree in a health care related field
• Six months of experience in the health care field and two years of education above high school that included at least six semester hours in health care related courses such as - biological science - surgical technician courses - nursing assistant or other courses related to the position
• Six months of experience in the health care field and successful completion of a course for health care technicians - hospital corpsmen - or medical service specialists given by the U.S. Armed Forces

Skills

Comprehensive knowledge of computer systems and programs to perform a variety of tasks

Ability to communicate - consult - and interact with other members of the healthcare team - external relations - customer service and patient education

Ability to provide and receive guidance and technical direction

Ability to plan - organize - set priorities - work as a team member - and effectively complete assignments

Ability to read - interpret - and apply complex written instructions

Knowledge of general clinical policies and procedures in a healthcare environment

Skilled in the use of telehealth technologies for the facilitation of telehealth clinical encounters

Benefits

Major duties include but are not limited to:

• Preparing the clinical environment - which may include preparing medical and telecommunications equipment to be used for clinical examination and treatment
• Serving as a telepresenter within scope of practice during clinical video telehealth (CVT) and VA Video Connect (WC) 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 clinical 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 inventory management - 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
• Screens patients for Telehealth modality and refers patients that do not meet established criteria to appropriate care
• Maintaining regular contact with other 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

Pay

Competitive salary and regular salary increases

When setting pay - a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade)

Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave - 13 days of sick leave - 11 paid Federal holidays per year)

Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual - based on prior [work experience] or military service experience

Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment - up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth - adoption - or foster care placement of a child

Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment - full time employees with a total family income below $144,000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66

Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement)

Telework: Not Available

Virtual: This is not a virtual position

Functional Statement #: 000000

Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized.