Health Technician - Telehealth Clinical

Veterans Health Administration • Williamsport, PA

16h • Onsite

About The Position

The Health Technician (Telehealth Clinical) supports Veterans’ access to care and self-management by helping deliver care through telehealth technologies. The role supports synchronous and asynchronous communication between Veterans and their health care teams and helps coordinate, track, and manage care. Work includes preparing clinical environments and equipment; facilitating video and store-and-forward telehealth encounters; handling scheduling, patient screening, education, and surveys; and maintaining telehealth technology and related records. The technician works with clinical and administrative staff at local and remote care sites, maintains contact with experienced staff and the Facility Telehealth Coordinator, and supports contingency and emergency planning for providers. The full performance level is GS-06; the vacancy may be filled at GS-05 or GS-06. The work schedule is Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Telework is not available, and this is not a virtual position.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship is required, subject to the stated limited exception for temporary appointments when qualified citizens cannot be recruited.
• Meet the basic experience and education requirement through one year of health-care-field experience; four academic years of post-high-school education leading to a bachelor’s degree with relevant coursework; or an acceptable combination of experience and education.
• For GS-06, have one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level and demonstrate the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.
• For GS-06, demonstrate comprehensive knowledge of computer systems and programs; ability to communicate and interact with health-care team members and provide customer service and patient education; ability to provide and receive guidance and technical direction; ability to plan, organize, prioritize, work as a team member, and complete assignments; ability to read, interpret, and apply complex written instructions; knowledge of general clinical policies and procedures; and skill using telehealth technologies to facilitate clinical encounters.
• Proficiency in written and spoken English.
• Pass the required pre-employment physical examination and, if selected for a testing-designated position, urinalysis screening for illegal drug use.
• Complete required background/security investigation, onboarding, and application documentation; provide acceptable identification for employment verification.
• Register with Selective Service if applicable to males born after December 31, 1959.
• Participate in the seasonal influenza vaccination program.
• Serve a one- or two-year trial period, as required.
• Meet the physical demands of the position, including occasional lifting of no more than 25 pounds; a valid driver’s license is required for operation of a motor vehicle.

Responsibilities

• Prepare the clinical environment, including medical and telecommunications equipment used for examinations and treatment.
• Serve as a tele-presenter during clinical video telehealth encounters by establishing and maintaining video connections, introducing participants, and following clinician instructions.
• Capture images, collect data, and transmit information for store-and-forward telehealth clinical review in accordance with VHA guidelines.
• Follow procedures for cleaning clinical equipment and the care environment, and comply with patient-safety guidelines and protocols.
• Complete standardized clinical questionnaires and templates within the scope of training and applicable guidelines.
• Protect patient privacy by complying with information-security and privacy regulations.
• Receive and schedule simple and complex intra-facility and inter-facility telehealth appointments using an electronic resource-based scheduling system.
• Screen patients for telehealth modality suitability and refer those who do not meet established criteria to appropriate care.
• Monitor and maintain schedules for rooms, patients, technologies, providers, and presenters to support efficient telehealth operations.
• Provide patient education using approved materials and support Veterans in completing patient-satisfaction surveys.
• Communicate with clinical and administrative staff at local and remote sites of care.
• Configure, install, troubleshoot, clean, and perform minor routine maintenance on assigned telehealth technology.
• Secure and prepare telehealth technologies for use; track maintenance work orders, information-systems and inventory records; and coordinate troubleshooting, repair, or replacement with the National Telehealth Technology Help Desk.
• Educate and train Veterans and clinicians on telehealth technologies, answer questions, and address technology-related concerns.
• Maintain knowledge and skills in telehealth rules, procedures, operations, computer hardware, software, telecommunications, data entry and retrieval, record maintenance, and document and report generation.
• Work with experienced staff and the Facility Telehealth Coordinator to resolve process, equipment, data-collection, and logistical issues.
• Arrange and complete test video calls with Veterans to prepare them for telehealth clinical encounters.
• Maintain information and resources for local and remote providers to support contingency and emergency plans.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and regular salary increases.
• 37–50 days of annual paid time off per year, including 13–26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, and 11 paid federal holidays.
• Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual-leave accrual based on prior work or military service, subject to approval.
• After 12 months of employment, up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with birth, adoption, or foster-care placement of a child.
• Eligible full-time employees may qualify for a childcare subsidy after 60 days of employment, subject to income and other eligibility limits.
• Traditional federal pension, with five-year vesting, and federal 401(k) with up to 5% in contributions by VA.
• Federal health, vision, dental, term-life, and long-term-care insurance; many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level