The Data Scientist is responsible for supporting research grants, contracts, and internal projects focused on measuring and improving the quality of health care. The Data Scientist works across NCQA departmental areas and with external clients to define and solve specific problems and ensure quality control across experimental methods, research design, and qualitative and quantitative analysis. Specific aspects of quality include:

• Care experiences
• Access to Care
• Delivery systems and care models
• Behavioral Health

Intersecting with:

• Health Equity
• People with Complex Care Needs
• Older adults and Children

Responsibilities:

• Present analytic results orally, develop PowerPoint presentations, and other documents in writing for internal and external customers, incorporating descriptions of methods, relevant literature, and other background material to provide context for the results.
• Effectively conducts programming tasks and statistical analysis including preparation and cleaning of data, implementation and refinement of statistical methods, preparation of visualizations and formatted tables of results, creation of databases and other outputs, and verification of the accuracy of results under the guidance of senior data science staff.
• Participate in quality assurance processes by reviewing code and all deliverables for accuracy. Complete all code documentation and follow department standardized processes.
• Enhance NCQA reputation for data analysis in performance measurement through provision of information for NCQA's advisory meetings, publications, and other reports as requested. Present research results orally and in writing to customers and other researchers incorporating descriptions of methods, relevant literature, and other background material to provide context for the results.
• Support NCQA's research and performance measurement activities by investigating data and developing data design and data structures related to the project. Looks at the data from different angles, explores what the data means and recommends viable ways to analyze it. Spots trends and patterns and assesses what is noise and what is good data. In consultation with senior data scientists, support the development of research plans, such as database design, program design, selection of statistical methods, creation of project timelines, and development of formats for presenting results to meet customer needs.
• Support the preparation of memos and close out reports to contribute to knowledge management and documentation.

Requirements:

• Master's or Doctoral degree with experience in health services research, applied statistics, sociology, or a combination of education and experience which demonstrates the necessary skills and abilities required to succeed in data analysis.
• 3+ years combination of master's level and work experience addressing scientific, technical or policy.
• Strong programming skills in at least one of the following data coding languages - SAS or R.
• Strong programming background, 3+ years experience analyzing datasets.
• Proficiency in statistical software packages such as SAS or R.
• Profound knowledge of word processing, spreadsheet, and database applications.
• Skilled at developing and applying univariate and multivariate modeling techniques, hypothesis testing.
• Strong policy communication skills for supporting research teams.

NCQA is committed to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

NCQA is a drug free workplace. NCQA recruits, hires, trains, and promotes individuals, and administers any and all personnel actions, without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, pregnancy, citizenship, familial status, disability status, veteran status, genetic information, or other protected statuses under applicable state and federal laws.

NCQA will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor's legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)