Telehealth Doctor (Remote Consultant)

Terms of Reference (TOR)

Position: Telehealth Doctor (Remote Consultant)

Project: Telehealth Expansion and Strengthening Project (Phase II)

Location: Kathmandu, Nepal (Remote consultations)

Project Duration: May 2026 – June 2028

Project Funded By: Australian Government-Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) and Australian Himalayan Foundation (AHF)

Project Implemented By: Action for Nepal (AFN)

Number of Vacancies: Two

1. Background

With funding support from the Australian Government – Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) and the Australian Himalayan Foundation (AHF), Action for Nepal (AFN) is implementing the Telehealth Expansion and Strengthening Project (Phase II) in five Rural Municipalities (RMs) of Solukhumbu, covering a total of eight health facilities. The main aim of the project is to improve maternal and neonatal health outcomes in remote and underserved areas of Nepal. This project has been expanded following the successful pilot in three health facilities in Solukhumbu and now extends services to five additional sites in the district.

A core component of the project is the provision of remote medical consultation services. This service connects frontline health workers at remote Health Posts (HPs) with experienced medical doctors to support accurate diagnosis, clinical decision-making, and appropriate patient management. This approach helps reduce unnecessary referrals, improves access to quality care, and ensures timely referral decisions when cases cannot be managed remotely at the health post level.

2. Role Purpose

The Telehealth Doctor will provide remote clinical consultations to health workers and patients in project-supported health facilities. The primary role is to support health workers in managing a range of cases, with a strong focus on maternal and neonatal health (MNH), as well as other cases presenting at the outpatient department (OPD) of health posts. The Telehealth Doctor will offer expert advice on diagnosis, treatment, and the need for referrals.

This role is critical in bridging the gap in access to specialist services, strengthening the capacity of local health workers, and ensuring timely, quality care for communities in remote locations.

3. Key Responsibilities

3.1. Provide Remote Clinical Consultations

• Conduct teleconsultations with health workers (Health Assistants, Auxiliary Health Workers, and Auxiliary Nurse Midwives), and if required, directly with patients from designated Health Posts, based on cases presented at the health facility.
• Review patient history and clinical findings as presented by the health worker.
• Advise on differential diagnosis, recommend appropriate laboratory tests available at the local Health Post, and prescribe or recommend treatment.
• Guide health workers in the management of complications, with a particular focus on maternal and neonatal emergencies, as well as general OPD cases.
• Determine the need for referral to a higher-level facility and advise on referral urgency, protocol, and patient stabilization prior to referral.

3.2. Support Clinical Decision-Making

• Provide real-time guidance to health workers to support clinical decision-making and management of cases that can be managed at the Health Post level.
• Provide feedback to health workers on patient history-taking, clinical examination, and overall case management to strengthen their clinical skills and confidence.

3.3. Documentation and Record-Keeping

• Ensure all teleconsultations are properly documented, including clinical notes, advice provided, and referral decisions.
• Follow the project’s Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for teleconsultation, data management, and patient confidentiality.

3.5. Capacity Building and Mentorship

• Serve as a technical resource for health workers and contribute to their ongoing professional development through case-based learning and mentorship.
• Participate in the development and review of training materials, telehealth SOPs, and referral protocols, incorporating practical field experience and aligning with national and WHO guidelines.

3.6. Collaboration and Coordination

• Coordinate with the AFN central and field project team to report on service delivery, identify technical or operational challenges, and suggest improvements.
• Coordinate with the designated Telehealth Focal Person at each Health Post and the AFN Telehealth Officer at the field level to ensure smooth operation of teleconsultation services as needed.

4. Deliverables

• Provide teleconsultation services as per project requirements.
• Maintain proper documentation and teleconsultation records.
• Submit periodic reports on teleconsultation cases, referrals, and key technical issues.
• Provide technical input for training, SOP development, and service improvement.
• Participate in review meetings and coordination meetings as required.

5. Required Qualifications and Experience

5.1. Education:

• Medical degree (MBBS) from a recognized institution. Specialization in Gynecology and General medicine is preferred. 
• Valid license to practice in Nepal from the Nepal Medical Council.

5.2. Experience:

• Minimum 2–3 years of clinical experience, preferably in maternal and child health, family medicine, primary care, or emergency care.
• Prior experience in telemedicine or remote consultation is highly desirable.

5.3. Skills and Competencies:

• Strong clinical knowledge, particularly in MNH and primary care.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to provide clear, concise, and supportive guidance to frontline health workers.
• Proficiency in using digital communication platforms (mobile phone, audio, video consultation through trusted digital communication platforms).
• Ability to work independently and manage consultation schedules effectively.
• Strong commitment to patient safety, confidentiality, and ethical medical practice.

6. Reporting and Coordination

The consultant will report directly to the Program Director at Action for Nepal and collaborate closely with the AF Nepal project team, including the Telehealth officer and Program Coordinator. Telehealth Doctor will also coordinate with the designated Health Post Focal Persons to ensure smooth and effective service delivery.

7. Duration

This is a long-term, part-time consultancy position for the three-year project period (May 2026 – June 2028), with the possibility of continuation based on performance and project needs. The role involves providing teleconsultations for a few hours as required, based on the number of cases needing teleconsultation support from Health Posts.

8. Budget

The consultancy fee will be determined by AF Nepal based on internal discussions and in line with the approved project budget.

9. Application Process

 Interested individuals are invited to submit their applications, including a detailed resume, a cover letter outlining their consultancy fee expectations, and references. The deadline for submissions is April 15th, 2026. 

Contact Information: For inquiries and submissions, please contact at actionfnepal@gmail.com or at +977 01 4915979/ 9801864454.

Note: This TOR may be subject to modification based on the evolving needs of the project and discussions with the selected consultant.