Principal Research Associate- Long-Term and Post-Acute Care Policy

Westat is a leader in research, data collection and analysis, technical assistance, evaluation, and communications. Our evidence-based findings help clients in government and the private sector accelerate advancements in health, education, transportation, and social and economic policy. Our dedication to improving lives through research and our approach to projects grounded in investigative curiosity, statistical and data rigor, adaptive methods, and advanced technology are why clients find exceptional value in our work.

Job Summary:
Westat has an opening for a Principal Research Associate with demonstrated subject matter expertise in gerontology, specifically in designing and conducting research on topics pertaining to healthcare quality measurement, workforce, and federal regulations as they relate to Medicare, long-term and post-acute care. The successful candidate will be responsible for conducting healthcare analytics, statistical programming, reporting, and task management, and will work across multidisciplinary teams to support a variety of health services research projects focused on health care delivery, policy, and quality improvement.

This is a full-time position with a hybrid work arrangement at our corporate headquarters (1-2 days per week) in Bethesda.

Please include a cover letter when submitting your application.

Job Responsibilities:

• Serving in various technical roles using quantitative research methods for a variety of large, complex projects for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and other federal clients, such as the Administration for Community Living.
• Independently conducting data programming and analysis using SAS, SQL, Python, R, Databricks or other statistical packages to ingest, link, clean, create, and manipulate data.
• Designing and leading projects and tasks using quantitative methods.
• Conducting quantitative analysis, interpreting results, and preparing internal and client facing reports and deliverables.
• Providing project leadership, including overseeing project staff.
• Communicating quantitative results verbally and in writing for a variety of internal and external audiences.
• Managing projects and tasks, including budgets, deliverables, and timelines
• Serving as a technical lead or writer on proposals for government clients and contributing to strategic growth and business development activities.

Basic Qualifications:

• A master's degree in a relevant discipline including, but not limited to economics, statistics, public health, or computer science, and 8 years of experience working in a healthcare-related field with progressively increasing responsibilities or a PhD and 5 years of experience working in a healthcare-related field with progressively increasing responsibilities.
• Deep understanding of federal surveys, certification, and regulations for nursing homes.
• Quantitative expertise using SAS, SQL, Python, R, Databricks, or other programming languages.
• Experience working with CMS data, including the Minimum Data Set (MDS) and Medicare claims data.
• Experience conducting health services research independently and on multidisciplinary teams.
• Experience managing projects, including budgets, timelines, and multidisciplinary staff.
• Demonstrated track record of expertise in long-term and post-acute care, as evidenced through publications and/or experience securing research funding.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Ability to summarize or synthesize information for different audiences and purposes. 
• Ability to work on multiple projects and tasks simultaneously.

Westat offers a well-rounded and comprehensive benefits program focused on wellness and work/life balance. Subject to plan requirements, employees may participate in:

• Employee Stock Ownership Plan
• 401(k) Retirement Plan
• Paid Parental Leave
• Vacation Leave  (15 days per year)
• Sick Leave  (9 days per year)
• Holiday Leave (7 government holidays and 2 floating holidays per year)
• Professional Development
• Health Advocate
• Employee Assistance Program
• Travel Accident Insurance
• Medical Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Short Term Disability Insurance
• Long Term Disability Insurance
• Life and AD&D Insurance
• Critical Illness Insurance
• Supplemental Life Insurance
• Flexible Spending Account
• Health Savings Account

Any offer of employment may be contingent upon receipt of acceptable results from a post-offer background screening, if required for the specific position, which may include, for example, identity verification, employment history, motor vehicle driving record history, and criminal or sexual offender records history. Any background screening results will be evaluated through an individualized assessment based on the individual’s specific record and the duties and requirements of the position.

This opportunity will be posted for a minimum of 5 days and applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis.

Employment Eligibility: This is a U.S.-based position. Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis. Westat does not offer employment-based visa sponsorship (including H-1B sponsorship) for this role. Depending on project requirements, some positions may require employees to meet specific residency criteria.

Westat is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, citizenship status, genetic information, or any other protected status under applicable law. It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued
employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.
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