What are the responsibilities and job description for the Research Analyst, Research and Cost Trends position at Massachusetts Health Policy Commission?
Posted on February 4, 2020
Work daily to advance the goal of better health and better care – at a lower cost – across the Commonwealth of Massachusetts! For more information, please contact HPC-Careers or visit massachusettshealthpolicycommission.applytojob.com.
The Massachusetts Health Policy Commission (HPC), established in 2012, is an independent state agency charged with monitoring health care spending growth in Massachusetts and providing data-driven policy recommendations regarding health care delivery and payment system reform. The agency’s mission is to advance a more transparent, accountable, and innovative health care system through independent policy leadership and innovative investment programs.
The HPC seeks an experienced Research Analyst to join our Research and Cost Trends department. The Research Analyst will be part of a team generating high-quality, objective research to support the HPC’s mission of monitoring health reform efforts and developing innovative health policy in Massachusetts.
Duties of this position may include:
- Conducting analyses to understand health service utilization and spending in the Commonwealth using descriptive statistics, regression modeling, and additional statistical methods
- Working in one or more of the following programs/statistical languages to conduct analyses using claims & discharge data: R, SQL, Tableau, Stata, SAS and/or Python.
- Creating analytic data sets or aggregated reports for use in Tableau or MS Excel
- Developing research project ideas to inform and contribute to the mission of the HPC
- Drafting policy-relevant reports, white papers and issue briefs
- Identifying and reviewing research and policy literature to develop methods and assess research conclusions, as well as meeting with a range of stakeholders to gather perspectives
- Communicating analytic results orally and in writing to a variety of audiences
Required Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree with a minimum of three years of relevant analytic experience; or a graduate degree in Economics, Statistics, Biostatistics, Epidemiology, Health Policy, Health Services, Public Policy or another relevant field that has equipped the applicant with the particular competencies, knowledge, skills, and abilities to succeed in the duties of the position.
- Experience in health policy research or programming.
- Excellent analytic and communication skills, including the ability to interpret and distill complex information into succinct, meaningful reports and visualizations, and to tailor communication for various audiences.
- Experience programming using SQL/Python and/or standard statistical software.
- Exceptional organizational and time management skills and ability to be flexible in prioritizing tasks.
- Comfort working under pressure and tight deadlines in a fast-paced environment; candidates will be collaborative, adaptable, entrepreneurial, self-motivated, and passionate about health policy.
- An individual of unquestioned ethics and professionalism, with an interest in public service.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience working with large, complex data sets, especially claims data, is highly desirable.
Salary is commensurate with experience. The HPC may adjust title and responsibilities depending on the experience, education, and expertise of the individual selected.
Total Compensation:
As employees of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Health Policy Commission staff are offered a great career opportunity working toward the goal of better health and better care at a lower cost across the Commonwealth – but it's more than just a paycheck. The state's total compensation package features an outstanding set of employee benefits which should be considered toward overall compensation, including:
- 11 paid holidays per year and generous sick, vacation, and personal time
- 75% state paid medical insurance premium
- Reasonable health, dental, and vision plans offered through the Group Insurance Commission
- Flexible Spending Account and Dependent Care Assistance programs
- Low-cost basic and optional life insurance
- Retirement savings: State Employees' Pension and a Deferred Compensation 457(b) plan
- Tuition benefit for employee and spouse at state colleges and universities
- Extended sick leave program participation
- Professional development and continuing education opportunities
- Qualified employer for Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness program
The Massachusetts Health Policy Commission (HPC), established in 2012, is an independent state agency charged with monitoring health care spending growth in Massachusetts and providing data-driven policy recommendations regarding health care delivery and payment system reform. Key activities include setting the health care cost growth benchmark; setting and monitoring provider and payer performance relative to the health care cost growth benchmark; creating standards for care delivery systems that are accountable to better meet patients’ medical, behavioral, and social needs; analyzing the impact of health care market transactions on cost, quality, and access; investing in community health care delivery and innovations; and safeguarding the rights of health insurance consumers and patients regarding coverage and care decisions by health plans and certain provider organizations. The HPC's 11-member Board provides oversight to the activities of the agency.
Our Commitment:
The HPC is committed to a policy of non-discrimination and equal employment opportunity. Women, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.