The Telecommunications Specialist functions as the Technology Manager (TM) for the Connected Care program, offering operational support. In this role, the TM serves to improve services by acting as the main contact for logistical support required to facilitate the utilization of telehealth services. Responsibilities include the maintenance, deployment, and inventory management of equipment. The TM conducts preventive maintenance, inspects, and tests the equipment to ensure optimal functionality.

Duties

Duties include, but may not be limited to the following: Leads the facility's efforts to integrate virtual health technology among healthcare providers and patients and to provide the critical technical and program support necessary to sustain Telehealth and Connected Care operations throughout Veteran Health Administration Loma Linda (VHALOM) using state-of-the-art, clinical technologies and partnerships which provide access to care to Veterans. Serves as the subject matter expert (SME) for all Telehealth and connected Care technologies as well as the information technology (IT) platforms, processes and systems that VA utilizes with which these technologies must integrate. Serves as the other Service Lines and works directly with the Facility Telehealth Coordinator (FTC) and other facility staff to incorporate new technology, concepts and programs into new and existing systems. Analyzes functional clinical and business processes changes or impact to clinical and technological guidelines in terms of policies, procedures, and user behaviors. Engages in clinical, business, and operational staff through analysis and recommendations focused on the fact that virtual care programs are not just new business practice techniques and strategies. Manages, administers, and provides leadership for the facility by creating facility deployment plans, developing technology budges and spending plans, and planning scheduling and coordinating work operations to ensure success of the virtual care programs. Develops,implements, maintains, and documents telehealth technology internal and control policies and procedures. Assists the Facility Connected Care Service leadership including the Facility Telehealth Coordinator (FTC) by managing the day-to-day operations of Telehealth and Connected Care technologies deployed throughout the VAMC/Healthcare System; implementation of new technologies; development of associated technology budget forecasts; supporting continuous and ad-hoc measurement and quality reviews of technologies and IT connectivity; and performing all administrative aspects for the management of Telehealth and Connected Care technologies. Serves as the technical SME and technical team leader for the integration of Telehealth and Connected Care technologies into associated systems and products, such as scheduling interfaces (i.e., VistA, Cerner, VA Online Scheduling, Telehealth Management Platform, etc.) and other future integration projects. Communicates and collaborates with Information & Technology (OIT), Biomedical Engineering, Unified Communications Infrastructure Support (UCIS) team and other technical staff in the development, implementation and ongoing operations and maintenance of Telehealth and Connected Care technologies with regards to technology and goals. Provides technical support and resolution of issues throughout the facility/healthcare system and consults with OIT stakeholders as needed. Appropriately utilizes Office of Connected Care Help Desk (OCCHD) resources to escalate and resolve issues as needed. Manages telehealth equipment ordering, procurement, inventory, distribution, and maintenance either directly, or by designee or within a committee or workgroup. Prepares reports and briefings on results of studies and is responsible for the collection, interpretation, and analysis of quantitative and qualitative data relevant to Telehealth and Connected Care technologies. Investigates discrepancies in data, works with staff to resolve the underlying operational/business issues indicated by the data and performs audit/inspection activities for Telehealth and Connected Care technologies throughout the facility/healthcare system. Recommends and assists in evaluation and monitoring of the quality, safety, efficiency, utilization, productivity and effectiveness of Telehealth and Connected Care technologies and integration of said technologies to meet clinical needs. Maintains recurring communications with Telehealth personnel, overseeing compliance of Telehealth and Connected Care technology guidelines and technical processes as outlined in National policies. Provides and receives information through committees and other forums for regular information exchange and ad hoc meetings either related to the many services and responsibilities identified above or additional ones assigned by the Supervisor. Performs other related duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00am - 4:30pm Telework: This position may be authorized for telework. Telework eligibility will be discussed during the interview process. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: Telecommunications Specialist/PD144620 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 05/23/2024. Time-In-Grade Requirement: Applicants who are current Federal employees and have held a GS grade any time in the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements by the closing date of this announcement. For a GS-09 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-07. The grade may have been in any occupation, but must have been held in the Federal service. An SF-50 that shows your time-in-grade eligibility must be submitted with your application materials. If the most recent SF-50 has an effective date within the past year, it may not clearly demonstrate you possess one-year time-in-grade, as required by the announcement. In this instance, you must provide an additional SF-50 that clearly demonstrates one-year time-in-grade. Note: Time-In-Grade requirements also apply to former Federal employees applying for reinstatement as well as current employees applying for Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (VEOA) appointment. Individual Occupational Requirements Education Undergraduate and Graduate Education: Major study -- electrical or electronic engineering, mathematics, physics, public utilities, statistics, computer science, telecommunications management, information systems management, business administration, industrial management, or other fields related to the position to be filled. Other Education: Communications/electronics or automatic data processing training in technical institutes or business schools above the high school level or in Armed Forces schools that included advanced instruction in addition to basic courses, may be substituted for general experience on a month-for-month basis. OR, Specialized Experience: Experience in evaluating, analyzing, developing, managing, or improving communications systems, procedures, and requirements that demonstrated knowledge of current developments and trends in communications concepts and technology. In addition to meeting the IOR listed above, an applicant must also meet the minimum qualifications listed below: Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-7 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: Knowledge of Telehealth and Connected Care principles, policies, guidelines, clinical pathways, coding, and related data, since the major role of the position is functioning as key member of the Telehealth Program overseeing daily operations of the Veterans Affairs Medical Center (VAMC)/Healthcare System Telehealth and Connected Care technology infrastructure. Knowledge in the security and compliance of Telehealth and Connected Care technologies and how they are setup, managed and deployed. Knowledgeable of appropriate VA policies, operating procedures, information flow, data structure and sources, prevailing OIT and Biomedical Engineering practices sufficient to evaluate and recommend adoption of new or enhanced approaches to delivering Telehealth and Connected Care services. Knowledge of management practices including strategic planning, coaching, team building, and conflict resolution. OR, Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have a master's or equivalent graduate degree or 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.B. or J.D., if related to the position. (Transcripts Required). OR, Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have an combination of specialized experience and education beyond You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position:Administration and ManagementOral CommunicationPlanning and EvaluatingProject Management Preferred Experience: Previous Telehealth/Virtual Care Experience Experience with tracking and monitoring equipment Experience with installing, configuring, activating, and testing equipment, related peripherals, applications and software 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. Note: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities. Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must indicate clearly the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment. Physical Requirements: Physical demands include above average ability, dexterity, and strength to perform the work. There will be walking, standing, bending, stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, carrying of items, driving of an automobile, etc. May be required to sit or stand for the majority of a normal tour of duty. Will lift and move equipment up to 20 pounds and will reach above shoulder level for technology installation or in assistance with technology installation. Fieldwork may involve travel for training activities, attendance at meetings and conferences. For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/.

Education

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/.

Contacts

• Address Jerry L Pettis Memorial Veterans Hospital 11201 Benton Street Loma Linda, CA 92357 US
• Name: Michael Gibson
• Phone: 808-830-7607
• Email: [email protected]