Data Science and Informatics Specialist 3 (DSIS3/SPI) – Part-time – Project – Internal

Full Job Description

Data Science and Informatics Specialist 3 (DSIS3/SPI) – Part-time – Project – Internal

71112794

This position is a 0.5 FTE that will work 20 hours per week. The successful candidate will be able to work with their supervisor to determine a schedule that works for them within the regular HCA business hours of 8:00am-5:00pm, Monday-Friday.

This is a project position funded through 01/01/2028.

This opportunity is internal and available to current HCA employees only.

This position will perform important data correction and quality validation to ensure the Health Care Authority’s (HCA) compliance in fulfillment of Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) block grant requirements.

This individual will correct historical data files for Treatment Episode Data Set (TEDS), which will require SAS and SQL skills as well as the ability to plainly discuss recommendations with technical and non-technical staff.

If you are eager to apply your familiarity with HCA and/or TEDS data reporting in a part-time role, this may be the opportunity for you!

All HCA employees will apply an equity lens to their work, which may include but is not limited to all analyses of core business and processes.

About the unit:

The DATA (Data Acquisition, Transformation and Analytics) team of HCA, within the Strategy, Policy, and Innovation (SPI) division, is responsible for leading agency data strategy; and leading the implementation, maintenance, and enhancement of the data management, analytics, and reporting systems that inform agency leadership in support of HCA’s goals, as well as for monitoring program performance to ensure accountability and alignment with agency activities.

About the position:

This is a project-based position of limited duration, supporting process improvements that will address behavioral health data infrastructure needs in service to the Division of Behavioral Health and Recovery (DBHR).

This position utilizes specialized programming, algorithms, and federal guidance to extract knowledge from structured and unstructured health care data.

As a highly experienced data scientist, the position focuses on improving the completeness and quality of historical behavioral health care data deliverables and ensuring the integrity of future data submitted in fulfillment of SAMHSA block grant reporting requirements and contributes to the aims of 988 provider registry.

This position is eligible to telework and is typically not required to report on-site.The default assigned work location of all Health Care Authority (HCA) positions – both on-site and telework eligible positions – is within the State of Washington.

This position reports to Olympia, WA. Frequency of onsite work will vary based on business and operational needs. HCA has currently suspended the ability to support out-of-state telework.

Requirements

Some of what you will do:

• Design and revise expert-level behavioral health treatment programming, reporting, and documentation necessary for the fulfillment of SAMHSA Block Grant Treatment Episode Data Set (TEDS) reporting using health care claims and supplementary data sources.
• Troubleshoot SAMSHA requests for correction of historical data files for the SAMHSA TEDS.
• Conduct comprehensive deconstruction and review of existing SQL and SAS programs which produce TEDS files.
• Create plain language description of coding objectives for TEDS programming and present for review and input from DBHR operations managers, DATA team peer reviewers, and management responsible for federal reporting compliance.
• Recommend and execute revisions to TEDS coding strategies that will result in capture of the correct scope of information with federal definitions and reporting guidelines.
• Collaborate with peer reviewers to address questions and conduct data investigations to inform coding decisions.
• Conduct testing of revised TEDS programming/code for completeness, accuracy, efficiency, and alignment with SAMSHA reporting guidelines.
• Draft the documentation of procedures, including data validation steps, file retention protocols, and communication protocols for fulfillment of TEDS data submission requirements.
• Provide consultation on the implications of data infrastructure changes on the staff burden, feasibility, and efficiency of federal reporting, 988 provider registry, and other deliverables using behavioral health data.
• Complete programming and initial production of data tables, and visualizations for behavioral health treatment programs.

Qualifications

Required qualifications:

Qualifying candidates will meet one of the following criteria options:

Option 1:

• Master’s degree in informatics, data science, mathematics, computer science, statistics, biostatistics, epidemiology, or related technical or quantitative field, and
• One (1) year of experience performing analysis of health care claims, health care encounter data, or public health-related data.

Option 2:

• Bachelor’s degree in informatics, data science, mathematics, computer science, statistics, biostatistics, epidemiology, or related technical or quantitative field, and
• Three (3) years of experience performing analysis of health care claims, health care encounter data, or public health-related data.

Option 3:

• Associate degree in informatics, data science, mathematics, computer science, statistics, biostatistics, epidemiology, or related technical or quantitative field, and
• Five (5) years of experience performing analysis of health care claims, health care encounter data, or public health-related data.

Option 4:

• Seven (7) years of experience performing analysis of health care claims, health care encounter data, or public health-related data.

Required competencies:

• The ability to take action to learn and grow.
• The ability to take action to meet the needs of others.
• Demonstrated experience in both design and application of expert-level SAS or R for analysis of substance use or mental health treatment claims or encounters, conducting related data validation and investigatory techniques independently, managing large health care claims files, data visualization.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to collect, organize, analyze, and disseminate significant amounts of information with attention to detail and accuracy.
• Demonstrated experience communicating on a professional level about data-related deliverables to external government clients.
• Ability to work independently and efficiently with minimal supervision.

Preferred qualifications:

• Knowledge of health care and/or pharmacy coding such as ICD-10, Current Procedural Terminology (CPT), and Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS) codes.
• Knowledge of health care business and systems.
• Three (3) years of experience working independently to prepare and analyze large health care or behavioral health claims and encounter data sets, preferably working with HCA.
• Proficiency with SQL.
• Expert level SAS or R programming skills.
• Comfortable interacting with staff members at all levels of the agency.
• Independently managing workload to meet deadlines and flexibility in task management when client priorities shift.
• Ability to work effectively in a multidisciplinary team.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, preferably demonstrating ability to document dataset construction, programming sequences, file organization, and data management methods for government clients.
• Demonstrated experience independently preparing behavioral health datasets on behalf of a government client to fulfill reporting requirements for Treatment Episode Data Set or other deliverables for government clients of comparable size and content.

How to apply:

Only candidates who reflect the minimum qualifications on their NEOGOV profile will be considered. Failure to follow the application instructions below may lead to disqualification.

To apply for this position, you will need to complete your profile which includes three professional references and attach in separate files:

• A cover letter that specifically addresses how you meet the qualifications for this position
• Current resume

To take advantage of veteran preference, please do the following:

• Attach a copy of your DD214 (Member 4 long-form copy), NGB 22, or USDVA signed verification of service letter.
• Please black out any PII (personally identifiable information) data such as social security numbers. Include your name as it appears on your application in careers.wa.gov.

Additional Information

About HCA:

Functioning as both the state's largest health care purchaser and its behavioral health authority, the Washington State Health Care Authority (HCA) is a leader in ensuring Washington residents have the opportunity to be as healthy as possible.

There are three pillars of our work: Apple Health (Medicaid); the Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) and School Employees Benefits Board (SEBB) programs; and behavioral health and recovery.

Under these pillars, HCA purchases health care, including behavioral health treatment for more than 2.7 million Washington residents and provides behavioral health prevention, crisis, and recovery supports to all Washington residents.What we have to offer:

• Meaningful work with friendly co-workers who care about those we serve Voices of HCA
• A clear agency mission that drives our work and is person-centered HCA's Mission, Vision & Values
• A healthy work/life balance, including alternative/flexible schedules and mobile work options.
• A great total compensation and benefit package WA State Government Benefits
• A safe, pleasant workplace in a convenient location with restaurants, and shopping nearby.
• And free parking!

Notes:

Prior to a new hire, a background check including criminal record history will be conducted. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment.

HCA is an equal opportunity employer. We value the importance of creating an environment in which all employees can feel respected, included, and empowered to bring unique ideas to the agency.

HCA has five employee resource groups (ERGs). ERGs are voluntary, employee-led groups whose aim is to foster a diverse, inclusive workplace aligned with HCA’s mission.

Our diversity and inclusion efforts include embracing different cultures, backgrounds and viewpoints while fostering growth and advancement in the workplace.

Studies have shown women, racial and ethnic minorities, and persons of disability are less likely to apply for jobs unless they feel they meet every qualification as described in a job description.

Persons over 40 years of age, disabled and Vietnam era veterans, as well as people of all sexual orientations and gender identities are also encouraged to apply.

If you have any questions about the required qualifications or how your experience relates to them, please contact us at HCAjobs@hca.wa.gov.

Persons with disabilities needing assistance in the application process, or those needing this job announcement in an alternative format may contact Jake Nelko at jake.nelko@hca.wa.gov or 360.725.0945.

The Washington State Health Care Authority (HCA) is an E-Verify employer. All applicants with a legal right to work in the United States are encouraged to apply.

E-Verify® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

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