Public Health Informaticist

PMHCC Inc.•Philadelphia, PA

3d•$70,000 - $85,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Public Health Informaticist’s primary function in the Philadelphia Department of Public Health’s (PDPH) Data Modernization Unit is to support data modernization initiatives through stakeholder engagement, workflow assessments, automations, and systems design. The Informaticist is intended to bridge the worlds of IT and Programmatic. They should have a strong background in public health and be knowledgeable about IT functions without necessarily possessing a technically heavy skill set. Their main role is that of a translator ensuring that programmatic staff have their needs met by IT and that technical capabilities and limitations are understood by programmatic stakeholders. A good candidate is a strategic thinker, with an eye towards long term modernization. The role is full-time in office.

Requirements

Demonstrated proficiency writing complex queries, stored procedures, and views within SQL
Demonstrated ability to manage, operate, and maintain relational database systems
Demonstrated Knowledge of HL-7 2.5.1 or later version for public health applications, such as ELRs, eCRs, elCRs, Immunizations, or other applicable areas
Demonstrated ability to produce human-readable data reports
General knowledge of clinical coding systems such as LOINC, SNOMED, ICD and CPT
Ability to translate between the technical and the non-technical, including explaining technical issues to less technical personnel, and framing technical solutions in a business context
Demonstrated ability work with data sets in accordance with relevant regulatory requirements, such as HIPAA.
Familiarity with systems development life cycles
Familiarity with process improvement techniques
Fundamental understanding of data structures
General knowledge of IT functions
Comfort with public speaking, including the ability to lead and facilitate meetings with technical and non-technical stakeholders
Ability to manage time and tasks in a complex environment with multiple priorities
Effective oral and written communication skills
Organizational and operational adaptability
Excellent customer service skills.

Nice To Haves

Preferred Proficiency in Python as a primary programming language for data processing, automation, and Extract-Transform-Load (ETL) development, with strong command of Python-specific syntax, idioms, and patterns
Preferred ability to create, modify, and maintain REST APIs and HTTP-based integrations, including authentication patterns, request handling, pagination, and error management
Certification or coursework in relevant technologies or topics a plus
Significant course work in Health informatics, information science, MIS, data analysis, or a related field a plus
A master’s degree or advanced coursework in a related field a plus
Experience in data management, integration, and reporting, preferably in a healthcare or public health environment; government experience a plus
Experience using one or more clinical coding systems in a business application
Experience with Health Information systems, such as EHRs, Immunization Information Systems, Reportable disease databases, cancer registries, vital records, or other public health or health systems.
Experience designing, building, and maintaining data pipelines and ETL/ELT workflows
Preferred experience with the Python standard library, data-oriented packages such as pandas and NumPy, ETL and database integration libraries such as SQLAIchemy and pyodbc, and standard ecosystem tooling including pip and venv for dependency and environment management.
Preferred experience with T-SQL and Microsoft SQL Server specifically, including stored procedures, SQL Agent, and SSMS
Preferred experience with business analyst techniques and processes
Preferred experience with project management software such as Jira, Asana, AirTables, Monday.com or similar product
Preferred familiarity with integration software such as, Rhapsody, Mulesoft, Mirth, or similar product
Preferred experience with one or more relational database platforms: Microsoft SQL Server, PostgreSQL, or MySQL

Responsibilities

Assist in the creation and maintenance of an agency wide data governance framework
Assist in the creation and maintenance of an agency wide data catalogue
Create and maintain documentation on data-related solutions as implemented or used by PDPH, including data diagrams, schemas, and other associated materials
Work with the Application Specialist(s) to design and modernize new and existing data systems in PDPH
Assist in the creation, maintenance, and monitoring of PDPH data pipelines
Create scripts, queries, stored procedures, data APIs, and web services to integrate disparate data sources, create reports, and ensure data integrity
Assist in the administration of PDPH data visualization tools as needed
Work with PDPH programmatic stakeholders to implement new data standards
Track and manage project deliverables in design project management system(s)
Work with the Data Modernization Director and PDPH stakeholders to develop, maintain, implement, and update the Agency’s modernization plan
Develop project based KPIs for continual assessment
Evaluate existing workflows, recommend and implement changes as needed
Assist programmatic staff in developing automations to streamline workflows
Maintain awareness of emerging technologies in areas vital to the PDPH including visualization tools, new databases and data formats, integration techniques, and common scripting languages
Proactively identify areas for improvement and make recommendations to the Data Modernization Director on possible technical solutions
Ensure data security per the appropriate standard, including HIPAA/HITECH, PA Act 59, industry standards, and the ethical standards of both IT and Public Health professions
Other duties as required