Health Data Integrity Intern

Louisiana Public Health Institute•New Orleans, LA

8d•Hybrid

About The Position

This is an opportunity to gain entry-level experience while learning about a professional work environment. The position will support the operations of the health information exchange that is making Louisiana a better and healthier place. The Louisiana Public Health Institute (LPHI) is a statewide, non-profit organization that has been promoting the health and well-being of Louisianians since 1997. Our 65+ employees work alongside 500+ partner organizations at the local, state, and national levels to leverage our broad expertise in public health to achieve our mission of ensuring that everyone has fair and just opportunities to be healthy and well. The Health Data Integrity Intern is responsible for maintaining the accuracy and integrity of patient records within the PelEX Health Information Exchange (HIE) system. This role bridges technical, governance, and operational functions – supporting data quality, compliance, and partner confidence in how information is managed and shared. The Health Data Integrity Intern will primarily work with the HIE Principal Engineer and Junior Engineer to ensure that patient records from disparate data sources are correctly linked by reviewing and analyzing potential patient matches, validating and labeling records, and supporting the training of MPI matching models. They may also work with the HIPAA Privacy and Compliance Officer, technology vendors, and partner organizations to maintain high data quality standards, advance equitable data exchange and protection, and strengthen system trust across the network.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree (preferred) or current enrollment in a college or university program with a focus on Health Informatics, Public Health, Data Science, Statistics, Computer Science, Mathematics, or related field; or equivalent professional experience.
Experience providing technical support in healthcare, public health, or social services environment preferred.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office products and project management tools
Excellent attention to detail, with a strong understanding of patient data integrity principles and best practices.
Strong interpersonal and relationship building skills, with experience working effectively with individuals and groups from diverse backgrounds.
Ability to think proactively, take initiative as a self-starter, and work effectively both independently and as part of a team.
Ability to learn new subject areas and workflows quickly in a fast-paced environment.
Consistently delivers high-quality work with attention to accuracy, impact, and outcomes.
Demonstrated ability to learn and effectively use new software applications and technical tools.
Commitment to equity, inclusion, and the ethical use of data.
Employee must reside in Louisiana during the time of employment

Responsibilities

Manage day-to-day patient matching activities, including validation, monitoring, and documentation
Navigate and utilize the Master Patient Index (MPI) software to support accurate patient identification.
Review and analyze patient demographic data to determine appropriate patient identity matches.
Document daily activities, decisions, and outcomes in accordance with organizational policies and procedures.
Investigate and resolve data discrepancies, support data integrity audits, and participate in system upgrades or workflow improvement initiatives.
Annotate and tag patient records to support the training of machine learning–based patient matching models and provide feedback to improve matching logic and configuration.
Participate in system planning and improvement discussions, ensuring data integrity and partner experience are prioritized.
Support equitable data-sharing practices that promote transparency and community trust.
Participate in technical and HIE-related team meetings
Assist the Principal Engineer in developing internal reports or dashboards highlighting data quality trends, compliance status, and usage insights
Assist the Junior Engineer to develop guidance on documentation, communication tools, and educational materials for internal teams and external vendors and partners.