PROFESSIONAL POSITION DESCRIPTION

Position Title: / Health Data Programmer/Analyst
Division: / Muskie School of Public Service
Department: / Cutler Institute for Health and Social Policy
Location: / Portland
Schedule: / Full time
Reports to: / Senior Computer & Database Specialist
Supervises: / Supervises work of Computer and Data Specialist I and/or Research Assistant as appropriate

STATEMENT OF THE JOB:

The primary purpose of this position is to provide highly technical computer and database management support to project teams working with health care data with a focus on Medicaid claims and eligibility data. This position requires extensive knowledge of Health Care data (i.e., Medicaid and Medicare) and how the data is processed through a claims processing system. The Health Data Programmer /Analyst must have a thorough understanding of the policies that impact this data and how policy changes will impact the analyses. The Health Data Programmer /Analyst has extensive knowledge of the use of health information to inform policy, manage the care of program members through quality metrics including HEDIS type indicators and pay providers including pay for performance. The Health Data Programmer / Analyst manages data acquisition, analytic and programmatic file construction, programming standards and documentation. The Health Data Programmer / Data Analyst designs and develops analytic databases to meet project requirements, manages and assures the quality of claims and encounter data file construction and data manipulation, provides statistical analyses as required by a project, and prepares written reports describing analytic methods and interpreting study results.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

·  Data Analysis: Maintains a thorough understanding of the claims and eligibility processing system and policy changes and their impacts on the data. Uses this information to analyze data via SQL and/or SAS. Provides Research and/or Technical staff with specifics on how to analyze the data accurately.

·  Database Developer: Develops and implements strategies for secondary database development using large Relational Database Management Software (RDBMS) with a preference for SQLServer. Translates secondary data into Access, SAS and/or SQLServer databases. Gathers data from various sources, prepares and processes data for analyses. Creates and maintains static and intermediate tables, includes setting indexes, primary keys, links etc. Maintains documentation for each database. Designs and creates automated end-user reports using various software reporting tools (e.g., Reporting Services, Access, Excel).

·  Database Design: Provides assistance to Research and/or Technical staff in database design based on technical knowledge of field. Collects and organizes data as appropriate; writes manuals and creates automated databases, using various database packages. Trains and supervises others in specific data processing and design tasks.

·  Systems Design: Develops applications and implements Access and/or other applications utilizing SQL and Visual Basic. Directly involved with end users to ensure systems meets functional needs. Designs table structures, forms, queries and reports.

·  Data Archives: Responsible for documentation and archiving research-related data and programs related to the State of Maine’s and Cutler Institute’s health data systems.

·  Contract and Grant Writing: Assists in writing proposals by drafting technical data-related sections and participating in work plan development.

SPECIAL ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS/RESPONSIBILITIES*:

(Eliminate any that do not apply)

·  Work on Federally funded projects.

·  Control over, access to, or security of restricted levels of information technology systems that would allow the person to harm the IT systems or the information contained in them.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Coordinates, supervises and oversees work of Computer and Data Specialist I, Research Assistants and work-study students as appropriate. Demonstrates knowledge and experience in maintaining a safe working/learning environment.

BUDGET RESPONSIBILITIES:

None

PUBLIC AND PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES RELATED TO JOB PERFORMANCE:

Assists project team in preparing project results for presentation at regional or national conferences, and in preparing articles for publication, with some supervision.

INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL CONTACTS:

Internal: Muskie staff and project teams

External: Develops and cultivates relationships with collaborators in Maine DHHS and the University of Southern Maine and external funders

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

·  Demonstrated knowledge and experience in data analysis of large health claims and/or other health databases.

·  Demonstrated knowledge of health care policy and its impact on claims data processing and analysis.

·  Preference for knowledge and competence in statistical software (including SAS, SPSS, and spreadsheet programs).

·  Preference for knowledge of research design and evaluation.

·  Demonstrated experience with SQL using SQL server.

·  Demonstrated ability to independently complete assigned tasks.

·  Flexibility and ability to handle changing priorities.

·  Demonstrates capacity to work as a member of a project team as well as an ability to work independently.

·  Works on multiple priorities simultaneously while maintaining a high level of accuracy and timeliness.

·  Excellent oral and written communication skills.

·  Knowledge of rules governing access, use and security of confidential data.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Required:

·  Bachelor’s degree and at least three years of health data analytic experience; or a Master’s degree and health data analytic experience with health care claims and eligibility data.

·  Knowledge of relational database design and analysis techniques using SQL Knowledge of and prior work with health care information (i.e., Medicaid and/or Medicare claims and eligibility data).

Preferred:

·  Knowledge of health quality metrics including HEDIS indicators and pay for performance techniques

·  Master’s degree.

·  Detailed familiarity with aspects of the health care delivery system relevant to claims processing such as claim forms, use of diagnostic and procedure codes, and other billing procedures.

·  Experience in client tracking based systems.

·  Experience with programming in Microsoft Access, Visual Studio and/or other object-oriented programming languages. Experience with SAS, Microsoft SQL server, Microsoft Reporting Services, Oracle, COGNOS

License/Certifications:

·  None

*NOTE: All individuals who are recommended to fill and subsequently offered a position with special essential responsibilities as checked above, or other licensure or certification, shall have the following additional applicable background screening completed (in addition to regular and standard background screening) based on the responsibilities of the position: Credit history screening, and/or Sex offender registry screening, and/or Federal criminal history screening and/or License/certification verification.

Date Approved: 4/2016

Date Revised:

Job Family: 1

Salary Band: 104

Unit: UMPSA

CUPA code: 461120

Employee: VACANT

Position #: 00023173