Health Technician - Telehealth Clinical Technician

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. This includes developing and delivering virtual and digital technologies which help Veterans communicate synchronously and asynchronously with their health care teams and coordinate, track and manage their health care.

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Overview

• Accepting applications

• Open & closing dates

05/23/2024 to 05/31/2024

• Salary

$44,705 - $64,787 per year

• Pay scale & grade

GS 5 - 6

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Location

1 vacancy in the following location:

• Fairbanks, AK 1 vacancy

• Remote job

No

• Telework eligible

No

• Travel Required

Not required

• Relocation expenses reimbursed

No

• Appointment type

Permanent

• Work schedule

Full-time

• Service

Excepted

• Promotion potential

6

• Job family (Series)

0640 Health Aid And Technician

• Supervisory status

No

• Security clearance

Other

• Drug test

Yes

• Position sensitivity and risk

Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk

• Trust determination process

Suitability/Fitness

• Announcement number

CBSV-12423566-24-HBJ

• Control number

792354900

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This job is open to

• The public

U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.

• Veterans

Clarification from the agency

Open to U.S. Citizens and Veterans. Veterans with Preference will be given first consideration.

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Duties

Some telehealth technologies may include Clinical Video Telehealth (CVT), Store and Forward Telehealth (SFT), Video Conferencing, VA Video Connect (VVC), VA Mobile, My HealtheVet (MHV), Home Telehealth (HT), and other telehealth applications. These technologies are used to deliver care to Veterans located at various institutional and non-institutional settings, such as the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Centers (VAMCs), Community-Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs), State Veteran Homes, Vet Centers, homeless shelters, Indian Health Services (IHS) clinics, Department of Defense (DOD) facilities and other affiliated organizations as well as directly to Veterans in their home.

The Health Technician (Telehealth Clinical) serves in a generalist role to support and manage telehealth operations and is typically stationed at a clinical care delivery site (VA Medical Center, CBOC, VA Outreach Clinic, etc.). Primary responsibilities of the incumbent include:

• Supports clinical telehealth encounters for both the patient and provider locations by serving as the tele presenter within scope of practice.

• Function as an imager and clinical data manager for telehealth store and forward applications.

• Manages real time clinical telehealth events.

• Provides established instructions for patients.

• Provides technical and administrative support of telehealth operations.

• Provides technical support to end-users.

• Schedules simple and complex intra-facility and inter-facility telehealth appointments.

• Installs, configures, maintains, and troubleshoots technology, and perform a variety of program support duties as assigned.

The activities of the incumbent are governed in accordance with relevant VHA, VISN and facility regulations, standards, and guidance including telehealth operations manuals, guidelines, and specialty supplements. These activities shall be consistent with national, VISN, and facility level policies and procedures; and support national, VISN, and facility strategic goals.

The incumbent performs a full range of duties and is responsible for day-to-day operation of telehealth services at the assigned location and between the assigned location and remote sites of care. Assignments associated with this position include:

• Serves as a tele presenter within scope of practice during clinical video telehealth (CVT) and VA Video Connect (VVC) encounters and establish and maintain video conferencing connections, make introductions between patient site and provider site, follow instructions of a clinician to facilitate an effective clinical encounter.

• Serves as an imager and clinical data manager for store and forward telehealth (SFT) clinical encounters including capture images, collect data and transmit them electronically for clinical review in accordance with VHA national guidelines.

• Takes measures to ensure patient care is delivered safely by following appropriate procedures for inventory management, clean clinical equipment and the care environment while following all patient safety guidelines, protocols, and procedures.

• Completes standardized clinical questionnaires and templates within scope of training and applicable guidelines.

• Ensures patient privacy is protected by complying with all information security and patient privacy regulations.

• Receives and schedules 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 refer patients that do not meet established criteria to appropriate care.

• Monitors and maintains schedules of rooms, patients, technologies, clinical providers, and presenters as needed to ensure efficient telehealth operations.

• Provides patient education via approved materials.

• Communicates effectively with clinical and administrative staff at the assigned local site and those located at remote sites.

• Configures, installs, troubleshoots, cleans, and performs minor routine maintenance of assigned telehealth technology.

• Ensures telehealth technologies are managed appropriately to include inventory, security, ready for use, and accounted for by preparing and tracking maintenance work orders, information systems, inventory records, and communicating with the National Telehealth Technology Help Desk to facilitate troubleshooting, repair, and coordination of replacement equipment as necessary.

• Provides established education and training to Veterans, staff, and providers on the use of telehealth technologies and serve as a point of contact to answer questions and address concerns related to these technologies.

Work Schedule: Mon - Fri, 8:00am to 4:30pm

Telework: Not Available

Virtual: This is not a virtual position

Functional Statement #: 000000

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized

Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

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Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.

• All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.

• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.

• Must be proficient in written and spoken English.

• You may be required to serve a probationary period.

• Subject to background/security investigation.

• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.

• Must pass pre-placement evaluation.

• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).

• Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement.

Basic Requirements:

Citizenship. Citizen of the United States. After a determination is made that it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens, non-citizen personnel may be appointed on a temporary basis under authority of 38 U.S.C. 7405, without regard to the citizenship requirements of 38 U.S.C. 7402 or any other law prohibiting the employment of or payment of compensation to a person who is not a citizen of the United States. Candidates must meet all other requirements for the grade and position concerned.

Experience and Education.

(1) 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

(2) Education. Four academic years above high school leading to a bachelor's degree with courses related to the occupation.

OR

(3) Experience/Education Combination. Equivalent combination of experience and education are qualifying for entry level for which both education and experience are acceptable. Examples are listed below:

• (a) 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; or an associate's degree in a health care related field. OR
• (b) 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.

Certification. None

English Language Proficiency. A candidate will not be appointed under authority of 38 U.S.C. chapters 73 or 74, to serve in a direct patient-care capacity in VHA who is not proficient in written and spoken English.

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:

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

Experience or Education. None beyond the basic requirements.

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

Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (must be telehealth or equivalent experience).

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSA). In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs.

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

b) Ability to communicate, consult, and interact with other members of the healthcare team, external relations, customer service and patient education.

c) Ability to provide and receive guidance and technical direction.

d) Ability to plan, organize, set priorities, work as a team member, and effectively complete assignments.

e) Ability to read, interpret, and apply complex written instructions.

f) Knowledge of general clinical policies and procedures in a healthcare environment.

g) Skilled in the use of telehealth technologies for the facilitation of telehealth clinical encounters.

Preferred Experience: Supporting clinical telehealth encounters for both the patient and provider locations by serving as the tele presenter per scope of practice, functioning as an imager and data manager for telehealth store and forward applications, managing real time clinical telehealth events, providing patient education, and providing technical and administrative support of telehealth operations. Additionally providing technical support to end-users, scheduling simple and complex intra-facility and inter-facility telehealth appointments, installing, configuring, maintaining, and troubleshooting technology, and performing a variety of program support duties as assigned.

References: VA Handbook 5005/96, Part II, Appendix G50, February 7, 2018.

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-6. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-5 to GS-6.

Physical Requirements: The work requires light lifting and carrying (under 15 pounds); reaching above the shoulder; both hands are required; use of fingers; walking (1-2 hours); standing (1-2 hours); both eyes; and the ability to distinguish basic colors and shades of colors. Must have mental and emotional stability. There will be prolonged sitting, prolonged use of a computer, and prolonged looking at screens.

Working Conditions: There will be exposure to dry atmospheric conditions, radiant energy, slippery or uneven walking surfaces, and possible exposure to infectious disease. Must be able to work closely with others and work alone.

Education

IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.

Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.

Additional information

Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed.

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.

This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status.

VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority.

Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process.

If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.

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• Benefits

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A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new window

Learn more about federal benefits.

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Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your application, resume, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.

It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.

Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.