Health Data Specialist 1 (DSIS1/SPI) – Project – Internal

Full Job Description

Health Data Specialist 1 (DSIS1/SPI) – Project – Internal

71050859

This is a project position funded through 06/30/2028.

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

Join a data team that turns complex health care data into clear insights that improve care and inform policy across Washington’s Medicaid program.

This Data Specialist role uses analytics, visualization, and programming to combine data from claims, medical records, and surveys into actionable findings that support system transformation and reporting.

The position is telework-eligible within Washington State, offers meaningful impact on public health outcomes, and focuses on practical problem-solving through data.

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 division:

The DATA (Data Acquisition, Transformation and Analytics) team of HCA, within the Strategy, Policy, and Innovation (SPI), 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 position utilizes mathematics, statistics, and specialized programming to extract knowledge from structured and unstructured health care data.

As a Data Scientist, the focus is on data analytics and visualization development, in support of the Medicaid Transformation Project (MTP), Washington State's Section 1115 Medicaid demonstration waiver that allows the state to create and develop projects, activities, and services that improve Washington's health care system.

This position will support the development of actionable insights that can be used to improve health care outcomes, solve problems, meet reporting requirements and make informed policy decisions.

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:

• Generate data products from structured and unstructured data sources using programming languages such as R, SAS, SQL, M code and/or Python to write data code/query scripts.
• Combine multiple data formats and sources such as health care claims, medical records, surveillance data, surveys, and/or pharmacy data to meet analytic project requirements.
• Collect, organize, and prepare raw supplementary data.
• Apply medical coding such as ICD-10, Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) and Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS) codes to analyze health care data from multiple sources.
• Use tools such as R, Power BI and/or Tableau to assist in the development of data models and develop interactive visualizations.
• Perform code review and peer review for other team members as part of established quality assurance processes.
• Contribute to system and process development for decision support and performance monitoring.
• Use quantitative research methods commonly used in scientific, surveillance, and/or epidemiological research to analyze and interpret data.
• Use statistical analysis techniques to find patterns, trends, and conclusions.
• Support the planning of multiple complex data science projects in collaboration with senior analyst staff members, internal and external partners.
• Stay current on data science best practices, emerging technologies, and trends through training and education.
• Investigate, solve problems, and perform exploratory data analysis to identify barriers, opportunities and innovations.
• Collaborate with senior analysts to ensure accurate results through methodological and technical peer review.
• Other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Required qualifications:

Qualifying candidates will meet one of the following criteria options:

Option 1:

Bachelor’s degree in informatics, data science, mathematics, computer science, statistics, biostatistics, epidemiology, or a related technical or quantitative field, and one (1) year of the required experience below

Option 2:

Five (5) years of the required experience below

The required experience includes:

• Experience performing professional data science or informatics data work.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to collect, organize, analyze, and disseminate significant amounts of information with attention to detail and accuracy.

Required competencies:

• The ability to take action to learn and grow.
• The ability to take action to meet the needs of others.

Preferred qualifications:

• Experience working with analytics, data visualization software and R, SAS, SQL, Mcode and/or Python programming.
• Knowledge of medical and/or pharmacy coding such as ICD-10, CPT and HCPCS codes; health care business, policy, and systems.
• Research and program evaluation methods.
• Advanced statistical theory and techniques.
• Client service experience.

How to apply:

Only candidates who reflect the required 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:

• 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 Lisa Fleming at (360) 725-1723 or lisa.fleming@hca.wa.gov.

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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