Policy Analyst

University of Massachusetts Medical School; Westborough (MA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Massachusetts Medical School is seeking a Policy Analyst to support policy analysis, data collection and research on health care and human services costs, utilization, quality and access. Responsibilities include analyzing data from diverse sources, creating charts and reports, and communicating findings clearly to internal and external audiences.

A Master’s degree and one year of related experience are required, with strong writing, analytical and project management skills,

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in a relevant discipline or equivalent.
• 1 year of related work experience required (internships or research assistant roles acceptable).
• Demonstrated ability to conduct thoughtful and accurate analysis, research and writing.
• Demonstrated ability to produce thorough, accurate results and meet milestones.

Responsibilities

• Perform policy and data analyses of health care and human services topics, synthesizing data from multiple sources.
• Prepare written summaries and reports; create charts, graphs, tables and presentations.
• Obtain data from federal/state agencies, insurers, providers, and other sources.
• Assess data quality, address missing values and inconsistencies as needed.
• Organize data via databases/spreadsheets and document qualitative information for analysis.
• Identify data sources relevant to analytic projects in health care topics.
• Perform other duties as required.

Skills

Policy analysis

Data analysis

Writing skills

Oral communication

Initiative

Spreadsheet skills

Education

Master’s degree

Tools

SAS

Excel

Job description

Overview

GENERAL SUMMARY OF POSITION:

Under the general direction of an Associate, Senior Associate or Principal, the Policy Analyst is responsible for supporting the policy analysis, writing and research activities by identifying, obtaining, organizing and analyzing quantitative and qualitative data, reviewing academic and professional literature, and gathering information from multiple sources on the costs, utilization, quality and access to health care and human services.

Responsibilities

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Perform policy and data analyses of health care and human services topics and issues, which will typically require an understanding of the project’s goals, the policy context, and the ability to combine and synthesize data and information from multiple sources. May assist with complex analyses.
• Prepare written summaries and reports of policy and data analyses and provide input to written reports and other materials in easily understood formats for both internal and external distribution. Prepare charts, graphs, tables, and presentations. May draft written reports.
• Obtain data and information from a wide variety of sources, including federal agencies, state agencies, insurers, health care providers, human services providers, academic and professional journals, professional organizations, foundations, news outlets, blogs, consulting project clients and consulting project partners.
• Assess the quality of the data obtained by analyzing the data for missing data and/or inconsistencies and, as needed, assist with the development and implementation of methods to improve the quality of the data by obtaining missing values, resolving inconsistencies or excluding selected data from analyses.
• Organize data by constructing databases and spreadsheets and organize qualitative information in a manner that facilitates its use for policy analysis.
• Assist in identifying sources of data and information relevant to specific analytic projects on health care and human services topics and issues.
• Perform other duties as required.

Qualifications

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Master’s degree in a relevant discipline (e.g. public policy, law, public health, health economics, public or business administration with a concentration in health care); or equivalent.
• One (1) year of related work experience. Required work experience may include internships or research assistant roles requiring analysis, writing or research.
• Demonstrated ability to conduct thoughtful and accurate analysis, research and writing in a relevant discipline.
• Demonstrated ability to produce thorough, accurate results and to meet project milestones and deadlines.
• Excellent quantitative and qualitative policy research and analytical skills.
• Excellent analytical and writing skills as demonstrated in writing sample and past analytical work.
• Excellent oral communication skills.
• Ability to learn new issues quickly.
• Ability to take initiative on assignments and work independently.
• Demonstrated expertise in computer based tools, including spreadsheets, database management, work processing, and presentation software.
• Demonstrated ability to maintain harmonious working relationships with others at all levels of responsibility

Additional Information

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Knowledge of the Massachusetts health care system and current health care policy issues.
• Knowledge of federal and state legislative, regulatory and policymaking processes.
• Knowledge of health care payment methods.
• Experience presenting complex data, analyses and information in easily understood formats.
• Experience in using statistical software, such as SAS.
• Experience writing project proposals, grants, vendor contracts and other types of business proposals at the local, state and/or federal level or conducting a procurement initiative at a state agency or foundation.
• Excellence in work performance, as evidenced by letters of reference or awards for performance or similar indicators.