IT Specialist (Interoperability)

DC Government; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 85,000 - 105,000; Full time

Job summary

DC Health seeks an IT Specialist (Interoperability) to support health information systems, data modernization, and interoperability initiatives across programs. You will work with external partners and internal teams to plan, implement, and maintain data exchange capabilities, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements.

The role emphasizes HL7, FHIR, data quality, and workflow automation to improve reporting accuracy and operational effectiveness within the Office of Information Technology.

Qualifications

• Degree in computer science, engineering, information science, information systems management, mathematics, operations research, statistics, or technology management or 24 semester hours in related fields with development/adaptation of applications.
• OR IT-related experience demonstrating the four competencies: attention to detail, customer service, oral communication, and problem solving.
• Specialized experience: at least one year at the next lower grade or equivalent in related work.

Responsibilities

• Manage data integration components and database tables for tools like Rhapsody and Mirth.
• Coordinate data requests with DC Health IT and administrations to ensure compliance.
• Oversee interoperability projects and evaluate software/hardware for efficiency.
• Develop training and support for health informatics and data sharing workflows.

Skills

Attention to Detail

Customer Service

Oral Communication

Problem Solving

Education

CS degree or related

Tools

Rhapsody

Mirth

Vim

Job description

We are excited in your interest to join DC Health (The District of Columbia Department of Health), a nationally accredited public health department ( https://phaboard.org/ ) Where our Vision is for Washington, D.C. to be the healthiest city in America.We believe that all people - no matter their race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, education level, age, language, religion, ability, or geographic location - should have the opportunity to live healthy lives.

DC Health is focused on providing the essential public health services (10 Essential Public Health Services) necessary to protect and provide the health of all people in all communities and remove systemic and structural barriers that have resulted in health inequities through the Core Competencies for Public Health Professionals (PH Core Competencies.)

Bring your professional career to Washington, D.C., the most dynamic and diverse city in the country. Join us as you are appreciated, developed, and rewarded and play a vital role in DC Health achieving our Strategic Priorities and Values:

Strategic Priorities

Values

Promote a culture of health and wellness

Servant Leadership and Teamwork

Address the social determinants of health

Transparency, Integrity and Accountability

Strengthen public-private partnerships

Strengthen public-private partnerships

Strategic Thinking, Creativity and Innovation

Close the chasm between clinical medicine and public health Health Equity applied to all that we do

Implement data driven and outcome-oriented approaches to program and policy development Know our brand and be informed ambassadors

We look forward to reviewing your candidacy, be well and good luck!

Job Summary

This position is located in the Department of Health (DC Health) within the Office of Information Technology (OD-IT). DC Health promotes health, wellness, and equity across the District, and protects the safety of residents, visitors, and those doing business in the nation’s capital. DC Health believes that all people - no matter their race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, education level, age, language, religion, ability, or geographic location - should have the opportunity to live healthy lives. The IT Specialist (Interoperability) applies specialized knowledge in public health and data science to support the development, implementation, and maintenance of health information and data systems, with particular emphasis on public health data modernization and interoperability initiatives. They serve as a subject matter expert on public health data collection systems and their outputs, ensuring seamless interoperability, consistency, and efficiency across platforms and external and internal data exchange partners. The incumbent collaborates with internal and external partners, including vendors and public health agencies, to plan, oversee, and support integration projects that advance data modernization efforts, strengthen data quality, enhance interoperability standards (such as HL7, FHIR, and other national frameworks), improve reporting accuracy, and increase operational effectiveness. Furthermore, the incumbent evaluates system performance, recommends and implements improvements aligned with public health data modernization goals, and ensures that all informatics activities comply with legal, regulatory, and security requirements in support of DC Health's modernization and data-driven initiatives.

Major Duties and Responsibilities

Manages component relationships and database tables for integration software such as Rhapsody and Mirth. Liaises with DC Health IT to coordinate integration needs such as Firewall functions and network needs. Coordinates data requests with DC Health IT and administrations to ensure appropriate access and regulatory compliance. Provides management and tracking of data lake data requests from administrations, ensuring all legal and regulatory requirements are met before allowing access requests. Oversees and/or leads interoperability projects to facilitate data sharing. Evaluates utility of software or hardware technologies for business efficiency. Liaises with administrations to collect and document programmatic data regulatory requirements throughout DC Health. Maintains a DC Health data catalogue, through collection and consolidation of data dictionaries, data elements, regulatory requirements, and data flow charts. Documents internal data sharing agreements for each program and administration. Reviews and approves Chesapeake Regional Information System for our Patients (CRISP) user requests from DC Health staff or contractors. Maintains a database of DC Health CRISP users, conducting audits every 90 days.

Acts as a point of contact to coordinate communication amongst DC Health program staff, Chesapeake Regional Information Systems for our Patients (CRISP) representatives, and external stakeholders to ensure alignment on data sharing requirements, resolve technical or operational issues, and support the successful implementation of CRISP use cases. Provides assistance with Extract, Transform, Load (ETL) and automation functions. Coordinates with DC Health programs and external stakeholders about the availability and uses of DC Health data and digital resources. Provides recommendations to improve workflows through digitization, automation, or through use of technology. Troubleshoots issues with Health Information Systems (HIS) interoperability automations or workflows. Provides recommendations on workflow automations and ETL automations. Develops or delivers training programs for informatics managed systems creating resource guides or training manual as needed. Assists in the deployment and implementation of health informatics. systems ensuring that all interoperability components meet regulatory requirements

Qualifications and Education

Degree in computer science, engineering, information science, information systems management, mathematics, operations research, statistics, or technology managementordegree that provided a minimum of 24 semester hours in one or more of the fields identified above and required the development or adaptation of applications, systems or networks.

OR

Individuals must have IT-related experience demonstrating each of the four competencies listed below:

1. Attention to Detail- Is thorough when performing work and conscientious about attending to detail.

2. Customer Service- Works with clients and customers.

3. Oral Communication- Expresses information to individuals or groups effectively.

4. Problem Solving- Identifies problems; determines accuracy and relevance of information.

AND

Specialized Experience: Specialized experience is experience that has equipped the applicant with the particular competencies/knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position and is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled.To be creditable, one (1) year of specialized experience must be equivalent to at least the next lower grade in the normal line of progression.

Licenses and Certifications

None required.

Preferred Qualifications: 2 years of experience using an integration engine, such as Rhapsody, Mirth, or Vim.

Working Conditions / Environment

The incumbent must be able to carry out official duties in a variety of settings and conditions. Routine work will occur primarily in an office setting.

Other Significant Facts

Employment Sponsorship: Applicants must be authorized to work for ANY employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa currently.

Agency Wide Consideration:Qualified individuals that submit applications for this vacancy may be considered for other current open vacancies for which they qualify within DC Health.

Tour of Duty: Monday - Friday 8:15am - 4:45pm

Area of Consideration:Open to the Public

Promotion Potential:No Known Promotion Potential

Duration of Appointment:Career Service – Term (13 months)

Pay Plan, Series and Grade:CS-2210-12

Collective Bargaining Unit (Union):This position is not in a collective bargaining unit.

Position Designation:This position has been designated as Security Sensitive.Pursuant to section 410 of Chapter 4 of the D.C. Personnel Regulations; in addition to the general suitability screening, individuals applying for or occupying security sensitive positions are subject to the following checks and tests:

• (a) Criminal background check;
• (b) Traffic record check (as applicable);
• (c) Consumer credit check (as applicable);
• (d) Reasonable suspicion drug and alcohol test; and
• (e) Post-accident or incident drug and alcohol test.

EEO Statement:The District of Columbia Government does not discriminate or retaliate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, gender identity and expression, national origin, family responsibilities, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, homeless status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, participation in a legally protected activity, parental status, matriculation, personal appearance, credit information, status as a victim or family member of a victim of domestic violence, sexual offense, or stalking, military service, or other non-merit factor.