Data Analyst II

GENERAL SUMMARY/ OVERVIEW STATEMENT:

The Division of Adolescent and Young Adult Medicine at Mass General for Children is seeking a Data Analyst II to provide analytic support for research activities on a National Institutes of Health R01-funded R01 project. Specifically, the Data Analyst II will work with a national team of investigators on a study that aims to provide a national view of opioid use disorder care for Medicaid-enrolled youth, with an emphasis on identifying disparities by race and ethnicity. The Data Analyst II will lead a comprehensive analysis of youth aged 13-25 using the newly released Transformed Medicaid Statistical Information System Analytic Files (TAF), which include inpatient, outpatient, emergency department, and pharmacy claims from across the US from 2016-2021 from the US Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).

Reporting to Scott Hadland, MD, MPH, MS, Chief of the Division of Adolescent and Young Adult Medicine, the Data Analyst II will play a key role in conducting a comprehensive evaluation of youths’ progression through each stage in the care continuum. The Data Analyst II will access program data through the Virtual Research Data Center (VRDC), program statistical code, and perform analysis and manipulation of CMS data using the VRDC systems. The Data Analyst II will work collaboratively with a team of investigators, including health services researchers, clinicians, and biostatisticians, as needed.

We are looking for someone with training in biostatistics, epidemiology, economics, statistics, or a related field. Experience accessing and analyzing administrative claims data, particularly CMS data, is a plus, as is an ability to manipulate, merge, and analyze publicly available datasets (e.g., CDC WONDER). As part of these activities, the Data Analyst II will apply excellent data cleaning/evaluation, data management, and statistical programming skills.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

The Data Analyst II will be working directly under the supervision of Scott Hadland, MD, MPH, MS on various data-focused tasks including, but not limited to, translating research questions into analytic plans; programming statistical code in SAS and/or Stata; linking multiple national databases at the county and state levels; analyzing data, including medical and pharmacy claims data and clinical data; conducting valid statistical tests and statistical models using multivariable logistic and Poisson regression; and assisting with data visualization and communicating findings in presentations and manuscripts; design and maintain databases for storing and analyzing data; and maintaining IT infrastructure for the department and collaborating with Mass General Brigham (MGB) Information Systems (IT) and external vendors, as needed . The Data Analyst II may also be asked to assist in conducting literature reviews, developing grant proposals, and developing presentations and manuscripts for the dissemination of findings.

SKILLS & COMPETENCIES REQUIRED:

• At minimum a Bachelor’s degree, Master’s preferred.

• Proficiency SAS, Stata, Python, or similar programming languages

• Strong database management skills, for data extraction from national or local patient databases.

• Strong attention to detail, especially in ensuring data quality and accuracy

• Ability to work simultaneously on various projects and tasks

• Requires strong analytical, conceptual and problem-solving abilities

• Proficient in verbal and written English

• Has a positive, customer-focused attitude and enjoys working with similarly dedicated persons in a team fashion within a high-energy research environment

• Ability to work independently and in teams

• Strong interpersonal skills, including the ability to communicate well with employees and customers at all levels of the organization parties, both verbally and in writing

• Willing to pursue continuous improvement in the duties described above including, but not limited to, additional training and continuing education opportunities as they may arise

EDUCATION:

Bachelor’s degree required, with some background in statistics through previous or ongoing Master’s-level coursework. Prior completion of a Master’s degree is preferred.

EXPERIENCE:

• Required: 3 or more years of experience working with SAS, Stata, or other programming languages

• Strong knowledge of and experience using Microsoft Office and database technologies

• Effective communication and analytical skills

• Excellent organizational skills

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Primary work environment is an office setting and/or remote hybrid.