Advanced Health Technician (Telehealth Clinical) - Radiology

The Health Technician (Radiology) serves as an essential member of the Imaging Department, providing direct support to Diagnostic Radiologic Technologists (DRTs) and Radiologists, and assist in the preparation and execution of diagnostic imaging procedures to ensure safe, efficient, and patient-centered care. Primary responsibilities include preparing examination rooms, assisting with patient positioning, explaining imaging procedures, obtaining vital signs, manage patient flow, etc.

Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional

Major duties include, but are not limited to:

• Provides instruction, training and resources on the use of advanced telehealth technologies to patients, staff and providers alike for the delivery of care using telehealth technologies.
• The Health Technician functions as a member of the Radiology care team and assist DRTs, Radiologist, and other members of the care team in the care of patients/residents receiving outpatient or inpatient imaging procedures. The significant factor is that they provide care under close supervision and refer issues or questions to DRT Supervisors or Radiologic Technologists.
• Recognizes and initiates the appropriate Code activation in an emergent situation such as fire, disaster, bomb and/or hostage threats, cardiac and/or pulmonary arrests, and behavioral emergencies. Initiates CPR and assists during emergency situations, including initiating and/or assisting with cardiopulmonary resuscitation, and in the care of the choking victim. Obtains equipment and supplies, and performs tasks as requested.
• Observes, reports, and records changes inpatients' physical or emotional status, i.e., signs and symptoms that may require interventions or treatment, unusual behavior, non-verbal signs of pains, stress, or withdrawal. Assists patients or family members with instructions to obtain cooperation during the Imaging exam.
• Monitors patients for any sign of contrast adverse reaction and take actions as necessary via reporting it to DRT and Radiologist immediately. The Health Technician maintains knowledge and answers questions related to procedures, policies, and directives.
• The Health Technician follows established procedures using manual or instrument techniques in accordance with established protocols, and reports results to appropriate individuals and conducts quality control procedures on equipment and products and maintains proper records for quality control reports and workload reporting.
• Promotes a safe and therapeutic work environment. Reports and, if possible, eliminates safety hazards. In addition to proper use of equipment and utilizing proper body mechanics, Health Technician follows policies and procedure that ensures patient safety.
• Works with MSA and Provider to schedule examination appointments, as needed, in a manner to optimize scanner times while maintaining flexibility for emergency cases. Ability to consult with Technologists to prioritize scheduled patients as well as the ability to accommodate emergency patients.
• Answers incoming calls and updates patients' pertinent information in the facility computer system; makes phone calls to patients reminding of upcoming appointments and no-shows. Maintains patient confidentiality as outlined by Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).
• Supports and adheres to health care system directives, Diagnostic Imaging Service policies and procedures, and unit specific policies and procedures. Participates in performance improvement activities as indicated.
• Protects information obtained from the computer in accordance with Federal statutes regarding confidentiality of records and complies with all ADP and word processing security measures. Ensures that the privacy act is observed to include not only the patient's records, but information stored in VistA and CPRS. Utilizes the computer only for work related purposes.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 7:00 am to 3:30 pm
Recruitment/Relocation Incentives (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized
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

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.

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/Education:
  • 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
  • Education: Four academic years above high school leading to a bachelor's degree with courses related to the occupation. OR
  • Experience and Education: Equivalent combination of experience and education are qualifying for entry level for which both education and experience are acceptable. Examples are listed below:
    • 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
    • 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. See chapter 2, section D, paragraph 5a, this part.

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-7 (Advanced)

Experience: One year of experience equivalent to the next lower GS-06 grade level.

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Ability to use independent technical judgment to analyze, evaluate and resolve problems.
• Knowledge of quality control and assurance procedures and principles of performance improvement.
• Ability to function effectively between competing priorities.
• Knowledge of proper maintenance and troubleshooting of telehealth equipment.
• Ability to work with a team to provide technical guidance, plan, organize and coordinate activities of a health technician in order to effectively complete job duties of assignment such as distributing workload, monitoring the status and progress of work, monitoring accuracy of work.
• Ability to assist in Health Technician (Telehealth Clinical) development, outcome management and strategic planning.
• Ability to perform successful knowledge transfer regarding the use of telehealth technologies.

Assignment. At the Advanced Health Technician (Telehealth Clinical) level, the incumbent will monitor and capture workload credit, develop reporting procedures and participate in performance improvement activities aimed at improving patient care access and Telehealth processes. This would include; sampling techniques, taking measurements at various points in the telehealth process; and develop and provide reporting procedures that identifies and analyzes inherent weaknesses in work and telehealth procedures. The incumbent will coordinate and work with Biomed and IT staff for the installation and upgrade of hardware and software for all telehealth technologies; will be responsible for advanced telehealth technical support to patients, staff and providers; provides technical consultation and support for staff and patients via phone, web chat, social media and face to face sessions; provides instruction, training and resources on the use of advanced telehealth technologies to patients, staff and providers alike for the delivery of care using telehealth technologies. For all assignments above the full performance level, the higher level duties must consist of significant scope, complexity (difficulty) and range of variety and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time.

Reference: VA Handbook 5005, Part II appendix G50, Health Technician (Telehealth Clinical) Qualification Standards, GS-640, Veterans Health Administration.

Physical Requirements: Physical Demands: Physical demands are usually moderate: Lifting objects up to 40 pounds, moving specialized equipment and assisting patients from gurney to a procedure or scan table. Occasionally, the technician assists with the moving of heavy equipment or large patients, but this done with the assistance of others to minimize the danger to individual.

30 Day Hiring Model

The Department of Veterans Affairs is implementing a streamlined 30-Day Hiring Model designed to accelerate hiring while maintaining the highest standards of merit-based selection. This improved process reduces traditional hiring timelines by integrating early coordination, faster assessments, and efficient pre-employment actions. Applicants can expect a more transparent, predictable, and efficient hiring journey from announcement to entry on duty.

What Applicants Can Expect

• Expedited Candidate Review Once the announcement closes, Human Resources will quickly review applications, issue certificates of eligible candidates the day after the announcement closes and refer applicants for hiring manager consideration.
• Quick Interviews & References

HR may arrange interviews and will request references within 3-5 days after being referred to the hiring manager.

• Streamlined Pre-Employment Requirements: Following a tentative offer, applicants should be prepared to complete required steps, such as fingerprinting and background check, credentialing, and medical examination within 3 days of the offer.
• Clear and Timely Communication: Applicants will receive clear communication at key milestones, including referral, tentative offer, and onboarding instructions.

After meeting pre-employment requirements, candidates will receive a final job offer and start date. Onboarding tasks may continue after starting, with HR ensuring timely completion for a smooth transition into VA service. If selected, applicants should be prepared to come onboard within 30 days of the announcement closing.

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: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

• 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.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• Must pass pre-employment physical evaluation/examination. Physical demands are usually moderate: Lifting objects up to 40 pounds, moving specialized equipment and assisting patients from gurney to a procedure or scan table. Occasionally, the technician assists with the moving of heavy equipment or large patients, but this done with the assistance of others to minimize the danger to individual.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
• Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:

• your performance and conduct;
• the needs and interests of the agency;
• whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
• whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.