Chronic Disease Health Information Specialist - Term-Limited

State of Colorado•Denver, CO

5d•Hybrid

About The Position

This position serves as the department’s staff authority over Health Information Technology (HIT), HIT data systems, and statewide data infrastructure to improve chronic disease prevention, population health, and integration of clinical and community-based services leveraging HIT within CDPHE. This position uses data systems such as EHRs and population health management software to identify opportunities to align how CDPHE programs, including the Cardiovascular Health, Diabetes, and Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias (CarDiADRD) Unit engage with HIT data systems, and uses this data to consult and inform decision-making, and connect clinical and community-based services. Additionally, this includes driving unit efforts to meet federal grant expectations related to data use, performance monitoring, and coordination across clinical and community-based partners. The position provides expertise to Prevention Services Division leadership, the Center for Health and Environmental Data (CHED), Office of eHealth Innovation (OeHI), Department of Health Care Policy and Financing (HCPF), Regional Accountable Entities (RAEs), health systems, and other statewide partners regarding the design, implementation, and strategic use of health information systems supporting chronic disease programs. The position designs and maintains a broad understanding of Colorado’s health IT ecosystem, including electronic health records (EHRs), health information exchange (HIE), social health information exchange (S-HIE), community resource inventories, and other data systems used across clinical (local clinics and hospital systems), external public health systems (local public health agencies, OeHI and HCPF) and internal public health data systems (CHED and HSEB) and community-based settings. The position advises CDPHE leadership on how these systems are used across the state and identifies opportunities for improved alignment with chronic disease interventions, and supports the effective use of data to inform public health action. At the division level, the position provides strategic direction to PSD programs by bringing a chronic disease lens to statewide health IT and data modernization efforts through participation in governance structures, advisory groups, and cross-sector initiatives. The position consults and provides expert guidance during discussions on data use, interoperability, and system alignment, helping to ensure that chronic disease and population health priorities are considered in broader health IT strategies and in Colorado’s health IT roadmap. In collaboration with evaluation and epidemiology partners in the Center for Health and Environmental Data (CHED), this position supports data modernization efforts by identifying chronic disease program data needs, interpreting data outputs, and leading the development and use of data visualization tools that inform decision-making and action. The position does not lead or manage technical development but helps ensure that data and systems are meaningful and usable for public health purposes. This role also serves as a connector among partners, helping identify relationships among systems, organizations, and efforts across the state. The position drives alignment and shared understanding across sectors but does not manage system integration or provide system-specific technical instruction.

Requirements

Seven (7) years of relevant experience in public health, health care, health information technology, public health informatics, health data systems, population health, health care data analytics, or a closely related field.
Relevant experience must include work involving the use, interpretation, strategic application, or alignment of health information technology or data systems to support public health, population health, health care delivery, care coordination, or chronic disease prevention and management.
A combination of related education with a degree in public health, public health informatics, health informatics, health information management, epidemiology, health services administration, health care administration, population health, data science or analytics, health policy, or another closely related health or data-focused field and/or relevant experience in public health, health care, health information technology, public health informatics, health data systems, population health, health care data analytics, or a closely related field.
Relevant experience must include work involving the use, interpretation, strategic application, or alignment of health information technology or data systems to support public health, population health, health care delivery, care coordination, or chronic disease prevention and management equal to seven (7) years.

Nice To Haves

Experience working with health information technology and health data systems, such as electronic health records (EHRs), health information exchange (HIE), population health management systems, community resource inventories, or referral platforms, including applying concepts related to interoperability, data governance, or data standardization.
Experience using health data and information systems to support chronic disease prevention and management or population health, including identifying data needs, assessing data limitations, interpreting data outputs, and translating information into programmatic or strategic recommendations.
Experience assessing complex health or public health systems and developing or informing organizational or programmatic strategy related to health information technology, data modernization, or data infrastructure, including identifying gaps, opportunities, risks, and appropriate approaches for engaging with existing or emerging systems.
Experience providing consultation, technical assistance, or subject matter expertise and working across health care, public health, community-based, governmental, or technology sectors, including translating complex information for audiences with varying levels of technical expertise and developing effective working relationships across organizations.
Experience leading or supporting public health or health care projects, contracts, governance structures, advisory groups, or other multi-organizational initiatives, including managing work plans, timelines, deliverables, contractors or funded partners, and grant, contract, or funding requirements.
Experience applying data and information systems with consideration of differences in data availability, infrastructure, organizational capacity, geographic context, and access to services, to support effective use of data across diverse populations and Colorado communities.

Responsibilities

Technical Expertise as Staff Authority
Developing and Maintaining Partnerships
Project and Contract Management

Benefits

Medical and dental plans.
Colorado PERA retirement options, including defined benefit plan or defined contribution plan.
Optional 401(K) and 457 retirement plans.
Employer-paid life insurance.
Short- and long-term disability coverage.
Potential flexible working arrangements
11 paid holidays per year and generous paid time off.
Free parking and access to RTD bus lines.
Tuition assistance.
Employee wellness programs.
Professional development opportunities.
Career opportunities throughout Colorado state government.
Some positions may qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.