(Hybrid) Health Economist (Research Scientist) - Health Affairs Institute

West Virginia University•West Virginia, WV

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Health Affairs Institute at West Virginia University is seeking a Health Economist to join their team. This hybrid role will support the State-University partnership between WVU Health Sciences Center and the West Virginia Department of Health Services. The position involves leveraging state data, supporting analytic and policy needs, conducting policy and evaluation research, and providing oversight to data analysts. The Health Economist will design and execute economic analyses of state programs and interventions, guide evaluation efforts, and support policy development for the Department of Health Services. The ideal candidate will be data-driven with strong analytical skills and a proven ability to extract insights from data and communicate them effectively to drive decision-making.

Requirements

Doctoral degree in Economics, Health Economics, Public Policy, Biostatistics, or related field.
A minimum of five (5) years of relevant experience with proven track record of HEOR in the following: Relevant disciplines are those that demonstrate a high level of technical and mathematical ability, such as mathematics, economics, physics or computer science.
Proficiency in SQL, SAS, R, or Python for data manipulation and modeling.
Strong applied econometric skills and experience with large datasets.
Strong communication skills and ability to present findings to non-technical stakeholders.
Ability to communicate policy implications clearly and concisely.
Ability to work in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.
Record of research and achievement in health outcomes and policy research (health services research, public health informatics, health policy, clinical outcomes) as evidenced by publications and a sustained research program.
Experience conducting research/evaluation within the academic and governmental sectors.
Proven track record of publishing in peer-reviewed journals.
Ability to perform and formulate health economic outcomes research and develop innovative approaches to conduct economic evaluations of program outcomes.
Strong verbal and written communication skills including presentation skills to varied audiences.
Extensive knowledge in the United States healthcare systems.
Extensive knowledge and experience in utilizing large health databases for research, program evaluation, and policy development.
Ability to project and maintain a positive and collaborative attitude.
Record of accomplishments in the area of health data analytics.
Strong ability to communicate goals, methods, and results of research initiatives with key stakeholders.
Demonstrated proficiency in the use of standard software packages such as SAS or R.
Good knowledge in handling mortality data.
Experience working with Medicaid Claims data.
Training and facilitation skills.
Strong understanding of Data Security and Compliance – particularly with HIPAA and PHI data access and storage.

Nice To Haves

Experience working with state agencies or healthcare organizations preferred.
Experience in government, consulting, or applied research settings preferred.
Experience in conducting geo-spatial analysis and experience and predictive analytics using machine learning are desired.
Extensive knowledge in machine learning and in geo-spatial analysis is desired.

Responsibilities

Conducts and oversees economic modeling, using claims data to assess economic outcomes and health system performance evaluations.
Supports data-driven decision making for state health programs and policies.
Performs hands-on data work and produces insights that drive operational improvements.
Translates complex data into clear, actionable insights for government and industry partners.
Develops economic models to determine the efficient allocation of resources for healthcare payers and providers, and develops appropriate communications for various stakeholders.
Works under the guidance of the Director of the Center for Measurement and Health Data Analytics to maintain sophisticated models to forecast the financial impact of health policies and policy changes.
Conducts sensitivity analyses and stress testing on models to develop a robust understanding of potential outcomes under multiple scenarios.
Develops a knowledge repository of industry best practices and innovations.
Proactively provides analytic guidance for financial and economic outcomes of policies and policy changes using conventional and predictive study designs.
Accomplishes comparative evaluations and retrospective studies to measure actual economic outcomes against initial projections.
Builds repeatable and scalable analytic processes.
Generates executive presentations for stakeholders.
Promotes and shapes HAI best practices concerning automation and documentation.
Contributes to department initiatives around automation, Machine learning, AI use, and tooling improvements.
Maintains compliance with all applicable laws and regulations governing the responsible conduct of research and data security.
Executes Health Economic Outcomes Research (HEOR) evidence generation including; cost-benefit analysis, cost-effectiveness analysis and budget impact models.
Analyzes Medicaid and commercial claims data using SQL, SAS, R, or Python to identify trends, cost drivers, and utilization patterns.
Collaborates with cross-functional teams including data scientists, policy analysts, and state partners.
Supports grant proposals and project scoping with economic insights.
Oversees/provides mentorship to other analysts as directed by the Director of the Center for Measurement and Health Data Analytics.
Develops and leads training modules as directed by the Director of Health Analytics.
Leads data risk assessments to mitigate and/or expose data quality and/or security issues in collaboration with the HAI Program Development and Management Office (PDMO) and the Director of Health Information.
Identifies and troubleshoots unanticipated data problems or unexpected results and provides solutions to resolve identified concerns.
Provides consultation and support for HAI project team members in data analysis and visualization best practices, and new and current technology.
Participates in high-level stakeholder meetings to understand stakeholder priorities and develop potential solutions as required.
Develops quality assurance processes and protocols in collaboration with the PDMO.
Ensures that data analytic and research/evaluation activities are compliant with Health Affairs Institute and University-level policies for the responsible conduct of research as well as federal, and state policies.
Provides consultation to faculty and government partners regarding preparation of research proposals, design and methodology, data analytics and interpretation of results.
Identifies opportunities for potential collaborations between the Health Sciences Center and the West Virginia Department of Human Services.
Prepares reports as required by the University, the Health Sciences Center administration, and external agencies.
Communicates results of analytic projects and program evaluations with relevant staff of the West Virginia Department of Human Services.
Conducts or directs special projects as assigned.
Acts in other matters and capacities as delegated by the Director of the Center for Measurement and Health Data Analytics for the Health Affairs Institute.