Health Data Scientist, Senior

Acentra; Northern (KY); Hybrid; USD 98,000 - 122,000; Full time

Job summary

Acentra Health is seeking a Senior Health Data Scientist to apply health services research, epidemiology, and advanced analytics to improve care continuity and access for members transitioning to fee-for-service care. You will analyze medical and pharmacy claims, provider data, and care outcomes to drive actionable recommendations for leaders.

The role requires collaboration with clinicians, state partners, and care coordinators, translating complex healthcare data into clear insights and

Qualifications

• Master's degree in epidemiology, biostatistics, health services research, public health, data science, statistics, or a related field; equivalent relevant experience may be considered.
• Four or more years of experience conducting healthcare, population health, epidemiologic, quality improvement, or applied statistical analyses.
• Experience working with healthcare claims, pharmacy, clinical, provider, or care management data.
• Strong quantitative, analytical, problem-solving, written, and verbal communication skills.
• Experience with SQL and at least one analytical or statistical programming language such as Python, R, SAS, or equivalent.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, work independently, and collaborate effectively with stakeholders from diverse backgrounds.
• Ability to explain analytic methods, assumptions, limitations, and conclusions in language appropriate for the audience.

Responsibilities

• Develop, refine, and apply risk stratification methods to identify members who may experience a disruption in clinically important services or face barriers to accessing appropriate providers.
• Analyze claims, pharmacy, provider, member, and care coordination data to identify gaps in care, intervenable needs, utilization patterns, continuity-of-care risks, and provider access concerns.
• Partner with clinical and operational teams to define outreach priorities, business rules, analytic measures, and evaluation approaches that align with member needs and program goals.
• Design and conduct analyses that measure outreach activity, member engagement, provider connection, appointment scheduling and completion, unresolved access needs, and other transition outcomes.
• Support the development of data collection instruments, analytic specifications, dashboards, recurring reports, feedback tools, and presentation materials for internal and external stakeholders.
• Establish data quality checks and analytic processes that promote accurate, timely, reproducible, and appropriately documented results.
• Interpret findings in the context of healthcare delivery, clinical risk, health equity, and operational workflows; identify trends and recommend opportunities for improvement.
• Collaborate with data engineering and report engineering teams to define source data, transformations, derived measures, reporting logic, and requirements for care coordination systems.
• Review relevant scientific and industry literature to inform analytic methods, intervention design, measurement strategies, and interpretation of results.
• Communicate technical findings clearly through written reports, visualizations, presentations, and discussions with audiences ranging from technical staff to clinical and executive leaders.
• Contribute to research, publication, grant, and thought-leadership activities as appropriate, while protecting member privacy and following applicable data-use and security requirements.
• Promote effective relationships across Acentra Health and with clients, providers, community organizations, and partner organizations.
• Read, understand, and adhere to all corporate policies including policies related to HIPAA and its Privacy and Security Rules.

Skills

Statistical analysis

Data visualization

Public health knowledge

Healthcare data experience

Education

Master's degree in epidemiology, biostatistics, health services research, public health, data science, statistics, or related field

Tools

SQL

Python

R

SAS

Job description

Company Overview

Acentra Health exists to empower better health outcomes through technology, services, and clinical expertise. Our mission is to innovate health solutions that deliver maximum value and impact.

Lead the Way is our rallying cry at Acentra Health. Think of it as an open invitation to embrace the mission of the company; to actively engage in problem-solving; and to take ownership of your work every day. Acentra Health offers you unparalleled opportunities. In fact, you have all you need to take charge of your career and accelerate better outcomes – making this a great time to join our team of passionate individuals dedicated to being a vital partner for health solutions in the public sector.

At Acentra Health, we embrace emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence and advanced analytics that can be utilized to improve processes, enhance decision-making, and drive better health outcomes. We value professionals who are curious about new technologies and motivated to use innovative tools to increase efficiency, quality, and impact in their roles.

Job Summary and Responsibilities

Health Data Scientist, Senior to join our growing team.

Job Summary: The Senior Data Scientist applies health services research, epidemiology, and advanced analytics to improve care continuity and access for members transitioning to fee-for-service care. This role will analyze medical and pharmacy claims, clinical and provider data, and care coordination outcomes to identify members at highest risk, prioritize outreach, evaluate interventions, and translate findings into actionable recommendations for clinical and operational leaders.

The Senior Data Scientist works closely with program leadership, clinicians, care coordinators, provider engagement teams, state partners, and other vendors. The position combines rigorous analysis with practical communication and requires the ability to turn complex healthcare data into clear insights that support timely member and provider decisions.

Responsibilities:

• Develop, refine, and apply risk stratification methods to identify members who may experience a disruption in clinically important services or face barriers to accessing appropriate providers.


• Analyze claims, pharmacy, provider, member, and care coordination data to identify gaps in care, intervenable needs, utilization patterns, continuity-of-care risks, and provider access concerns.


• Partner with clinical and operational teams to define outreach priorities, business rules, analytic measures, and evaluation approaches that align with member needs and program goals.


• Design and conduct analyses that measure outreach activity, member engagement, provider connection, appointment scheduling and completion, unresolved access needs, and other transition outcomes.


• Support the development of data collection instruments, analytic specifications, dashboards, recurring reports, feedback tools, and presentation materials for internal and external stakeholders.


• Establish data quality checks and analytic processes that promote accurate, timely, reproducible, and appropriately documented results.


• Interpret findings in the context of healthcare delivery, clinical risk, health equity, and operational workflows; identify trends and recommend opportunities for improvement.


• Collaborate with data engineering and report engineering teams to define source data, transformations, derived measures, reporting logic, and requirements for care coordination systems.


• Review relevant scientific and industry literature to inform analytic methods, intervention design, measurement strategies, and interpretation of results.


• Communicate technical findings clearly through written reports, visualizations, presentations, and discussions with audiences ranging from technical staff to clinical and executive leaders.


• Contribute to research, publication, grant, and thought-leadership activities as appropriate, while protecting member privacy and following applicable data-use and security requirements.


• Promote effective relationships across Acentra Health and with clients, providers, community organizations, and partner organizations.


• Read, understand, and adhere to all corporate policies including policies related to HIPAA and its Privacy and Security Rules.

The list of accountabilities is not intended to be all-inclusive and may be expanded to include other education- and experience-related duties that management may deem necessary from time to time.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• Master's degree in epidemiology, biostatistics, health services research, public health, data science, statistics, or a related field; equivalent relevant experience may be considered.


• Four or more years of experience conducting healthcare, population health, epidemiologic, quality improvement, or applied statistical analyses.


• Experience working with healthcare claims, pharmacy, clinical, provider, or care management data.


• Strong quantitative, analytical, problem-solving, written, and verbal communication skills.


• Experience with SQL and at least one analytical or statistical programming language such as Python, R, SAS, or equivalent.


• Ability to manage multiple priorities, work independently, and collaborate effectively with stakeholders from diverse clinical, technical, and professional backgrounds.


• Ability to explain analytic methods, assumptions, limitations, and conclusions in language appropriate for the intended audience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with Medi-Cal, Medicaid, Medicare, managed care, fee-for-service delivery systems, or healthcare provider networks.


• Knowledge of care management, care coordination, quality measurement, clinical risk management, or continuity-of-care processes.


• Experience evaluating outreach or care transition programs and developing operational performance measures.


• Experience with data visualization, dashboard development, or report automation.


• Familiarity with SAS, SPSS, Microsoft Access, Tableau, Power BI, or comparable tools.


• Experience working with community-based organizations, social drivers of health, health equity initiatives, or multilingual member populations.

Why us?

We are a team of experienced and caring leaders, clinicians, pioneering technologists, and industry professionals who come together to redefine expectations for the healthcare industry. State and federal healthcare agencies, providers, and employers turn to us as their vital partner to ensure better healthcare and improve health outcomes.

We do this through our people.

You will have meaningful work that genuinely improves people's lives across the country. We are a company that cares about our employees, and we give you the tools and encouragement you need to achieve the finest work of your career.

Benefits

Benefits are a key component of your rewards package. Our benefits are designed to provide you with additional protection, security, and support for both your career and your life away from work. Our benefits include comprehensive health plans, paid time off, retirement savings, corporate wellness, educational assistance, corporate discounts, and more.

Experience in Lieu of Degree

For non-clinical roles, or when not required by the contract specifically, the Company acknowledges that practical, hands‑on experience can provide skills and competencies equivalent to formal education. As such, in cases where a Bachelor's degree may be required, the Company will accept a minimum of six (6) years of directly relevant professional experience in lieu of a degree. In instances where the candidate has an Associate's degree, the Company will accept a minimum of three (3) years of directly relevant professional experience in lieu of the Bachelor's degree.

EEO AA M/F/Vet/Disability

Acentra Health is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, status as a protected veteran or any other status protected by applicable Federal, State or Local law.

Compensation

The pay range for this position is listed below.

"Based on our compensation philosophy, an applicant’s position placement in the pay range will depend on various considerations, such as years of applicable experience and skill level."

Pay Range

USD $97,920.00 - USD $122,400.00 /Yr.