Health Technician (Telehealth Clinical)

Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met.

01Basic 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. (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 Physical Requirements. See "Physical Requirements" listed below. 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. See VA Handbook 5005 chapter 2, section D, paragraph 5a.

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).

02Grade Determinations

In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates. Health Technician (Telehealth Clinical), GS-5 (Entry Level) Experience or Education. None beyond the basic requirements. Assignment. 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; 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.

Health Technician (Telehealth Clinical), GS-6 (Full Performance Level) Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level. 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.

Assignment. This is considered the full performance level for this assignment. The Health Technician (Telehealth Clinical) performs a full range of duties and is responsible for day-to-day operation of the Connected Care Services.

Assignments at this level include, but are not limited to, screening patients for Telehealth modality and referring patients that do not meet established criteria to appropriate care; communicating effectively with administrative and professional staff, and obtaining assistance for issues that may arise or backlogs that cannot be resolved in a timely manner.

Responsible for performing imaging duties in accordance with VHA national telehealth guidelines such as: capture and transmission of clinical images and/or data, obtains consent as necessary, generates consults according to established procedures for each telehealth specialty, transmits images or clinical data to the electronic medical record, provides patient education regarding general anatomy, disease processes and prevention as appropriate, and takes appropriate action based on the providers' findings and recommendations.

Responsible for facilitation of real-time Telehealth encounters by providing hands on assistance and reporting clinical observations under the direction of a licensed independent Practitioner or clinical specialist; 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; has regular contact with the Facility Telehealth Coordinator to work out process issues, equipment needs, problems, data collection and any other logistical issues; responsible for conducting routine inventories and consistently tracking location/status of Telehealth technology located at assigned site; and communicates with National Telehealth Technology Help Desk to facilitate troubleshooting, repair, and coordination of replacement equipment as necessary.

03Preferred Experience

Previous pulmonary/sleep clinic and home apnea device experience. Previous eye clinic and/or fundoscopic eye exam experience. Previous experience using digital cameras and video applications. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. 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.

04Physical Requirements

Moderate lifting (15-44 pounds); Moderate carrying (15-44 pounds); Reaching above shoulder; Use of fingers; Both hands required; Walking (up to 3 hours); Standing (up to 3 hours); Repeated bending (up to 1 hour); Ability to operate a motor vehicle; Ability to distinguish basic colors; Hearing (aid permitted).

The work requires some physical exertion such as prolonged periods of standing, bending, reaching, crouching, stooping, stretching, and lifting moderately heavy items such as manuals, record boxes, equipment or assisting patients. The work requires above average agility and dexterity. The incumbent may be required to travel between VA and/or Non-VA clinical care sites and possession of a valid driver's license may be required.

Total-Rewards-of-an-Allied-Health-VA-Career-Brochure.pdf 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 include: Cross-trained to perform and document a wide range of direct clinical care duties which include but are not limited to, temperature checks, blood pressure, respiratory rate, oxygen saturation measurements, height and weight measurements, visual acuity, intraocular pressure, EKG's, Holter Monitors, single-dose immunizations administered intramuscularly in the deltoid muscle as ordered by the provider, wound dressing removals with non-medication dressing applications as directed by the provider; and to report abnormal finding to providers and/or the Nurse Manager.

Ensures that all TCT Telehealth appointments are scheduled according to VHA directives (ex: receiving new consults within 2 business days, making first call attempt within first 2 business days, sending unable to contact letter after first unsuccessful attempt, making additional call, and referring to clinical review after minimal scheduling efforts have been completed, etc).

Employee documents their actions appropriately and ensures the supervisor or designee is informed when unable to follow the appropriate process/guidelines. Obtains quality dermatology images by completing a minimum of ten (10) cases per year to maintain certification as a teledermatology imager. Completes patient results letters in CPRS for teleretinal and teledermatology results alerts to ordering providers once images resulted by reader.

Ensures patient care is delivered safely by following appropriate procedures for cleaning of imaging equipment (Teleretinal Camera, Teledermatology Camera, etc.) by following the recommended manufacturers' cleaning recommendations. Cleaning logs will be maintained monthly to ensure that equipment is cleaned per cleaning protocols. Ensures Store and Forward Equipment (Teleretinal Camera, Teledermatology Camera, etc.) is managed appropriately and ready for use by maintaining monthly testing logs.

Maintains effective relationships with management officials, employees, patients, volunteers, visitors and external contacts Freely and willingly provides any necessary knowledge and assistance required by internal and external customers. Interactions reflect professionalism, respect and trust. Follows instructions conscientiously and functions as a team member, helping the group efforts wherever possible.

Maintains all Telehealth Certifications by attending regularly scheduled quality assurance and continuing education program offered by local preceptors, Office of Telehealth Trainings, TCT Monthly Calls or TMS trainings. Completes and documents secure messaging, as applicable, in a timely manner to prevent incomplete or escalation of messages. Escalation of secure messaging does not exceed the VHA standard.

Appropriately responds to patient with assistance or the name of staff members the patient may contact; if this is unknown, alerts MyHealtheVet coordinator for assistance. Supports the MyHealtheVet program by providing education and assistance to patients and caregivers about the program. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday; 8:00am-4:30pm Telework: Ad-hoc available Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Functional Statement #: 53880-F; 53881-F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized