HEALTH TECHNICIAN (Telehealth Clinical)

Veterans Health Administration • North Charleston, SC

8d • Onsite

About The Position

The Health Technician (Telehealth Clinical) supports and manages telehealth operations, typically from a clinical care delivery site such as a VA Medical Center, Community-Based Outpatient Clinic, or VA Outreach Clinic. The position may require travel between VA and/or non-VA clinical sites and provides clinical, technical, and administrative support for telehealth services.

The technician supports patient and provider telehealth encounters as a tele-presenter within scope of practice; manages clinical data and imaging for store-and-forward applications; and supports real-time telehealth events. The role includes educating patients using established instructions, screening patients for suitability for telehealth, scheduling appointments, preparing clinical environments and equipment, and maintaining schedules for rooms, patients, technologies, providers, and presenters. The technician also provides end-user support, performs routine cleaning and minor maintenance of telehealth equipment, and documents cleaning activities.

The work schedule is 0730–1600, Monday through Friday, subject to change based on agency needs. Telework is not available, and the position is not virtual. Relocation and recruitment incentives and permanent change of station are not authorized. The full performance level is GS-06; selection may be at GS-05 or GS-06.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship is required, subject to the stated exception allowing temporary non-citizen appointments when qualified citizens cannot be recruited.
• Proficiency in written and spoken English.
• One year of experience in a healthcare field demonstrating ability to perform the work or understanding of the work; or four academic years above high school leading to a bachelor's degree with occupation-related courses; or a qualifying combination of experience and education.
• For the qualifying combination: six months of healthcare experience plus two years of post-high-school education including at least six semester hours in healthcare-related courses, an associate degree in a healthcare-related field, or successful completion of a qualifying U.S. Armed Forces healthcare technician, hospital corpsman, or medical service specialist course.
• For GS-06, one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level and demonstration of the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.
• For GS-06: comprehensive knowledge of computer systems and programs; ability to communicate and interact with healthcare team members and patients, 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 interpret complex written instructions; and knowledge of general clinical policies and procedures.
• Pass a pre-employment physical examination and, if tentatively selected for a testing-designated position, urinalysis screening for illegal drug use.
• Complete required background/security investigation, onboarding, and application documentation.
• Participate in the VA seasonal influenza vaccination program.
• Serve a two-year trial period.
• Physical ability to stand for prolonged periods, bend, reach, crouch, stoop, stretch, lift moderately heavy items, and assist patients; above-average agility and dexterity.
• May need to travel between VA and/or non-VA clinical sites; a valid driver's license may be required.
• Education used to qualify must be recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and from an accredited institution; foreign education requires a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with transcripts.

Nice To Haves

• Telehealth experience.
• VA administrative or clinical experience.

Responsibilities

• Support clinical telehealth encounters at patient and provider locations as a tele-presenter within scope of practice.
• Function as an imager and clinical data manager for telehealth store-and-forward applications.
• Manage real-time clinical telehealth events and provide established instructions to patients.
• Provide technical and administrative support for telehealth operations and technical support to end-users.
• Schedule simple and complex intra-facility and inter-facility telehealth appointments.
• Install, configure, maintain, and troubleshoot technology, and perform assigned program support duties.
• Clean clinical equipment and the care environment and document the work on logs or spreadsheets.
• Prepare clinical environments and medical and telecommunications equipment for examinations and treatment.
• Screen patients for telehealth modality eligibility and refer those who do not meet established criteria to appropriate care.
• Arrange and complete test video calls with Veterans to prepare them for telehealth clinical encounters.
• Collect data and transmit it electronically for clinical review in accordance with VHA national guidelines.
• Receive VA Video Connect Test Call consults, contact Veterans, and explain the VVC process, including conducting a practice call.
• Monitor and maintain schedules for rooms, patients, technologies, clinical providers, and presenters to support efficient operations.
• At the entry level, schedule appointments using an electronic scheduling system, obtain and document patient history and pertinent clinical information in electronic medical records, prepare telehealth rooms and equipment, establish video connections, introduce patient and provider sites, administer patient satisfaction surveys, and perform minor routine equipment maintenance.

Benefits

• Federal employee benefits package; eligibility depends on position type.
• Potential credit toward annual leave accrual for qualifying prior federal service or military service, subject to request and approval.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed