MEPS – Field Interviewer

About the role

Westat is seeking Field Interviewers for the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS), a study of health care costs and usage in the United States sponsored by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ). MEPS is a panel survey with multiple rounds of interviews over two calendar years. Field Interviewers conduct in-person and computer-assisted video interviews with adult household members using a Westat‑provided laptop. Responsibilities include contacting households, setting appointments, completing interviews, collecting signed documents, transmitting data daily, and complying with data security requirements. Travel to mandatory in‑person training in January 2027 and occasional local or long‑distance household visits (some requiring overnight travel) is required. This is a part‑time, variable‑hour position with two data collection periods each year (January‑mid‑July and late July‑early December) and breaks between rounds. Successful completion may lead to consideration for reassignment on other Westat field projects. Working on MEPS can be a fascinating and rewarding experience for reliable self‑starters.

Responsibilities

• Contact households in‑person and/or by phone to introduce the study and gain cooperation
• Set appointments for interviews
• Complete in‑person and computer‑assisted video interviews
• Collect and follow up with electronic and hard‑copy signed documents
• Transmit electronic data daily on work days
• Comply with all required data security and confidentiality requirements
• Attend mandatory web‑based home study training (Jan 4‑15 2027) and in‑person training (Jan 19‑25 2027)
• Complete additional post‑training web‑based/virtual activities (Jan 26‑31 2027)
• Travel to local and occasional long‑distance households, some requiring overnight travel

Requirements

• Be 18 years or older (or an emancipated minor) and able to enter binding confidentiality agreements
• Available to complete mandatory web‑based home study training (Jan 4‑15 2027) including Microsoft Teams video sessions
• Available to travel to and attend mandatory in‑person training (Jan 19‑25 2027)
• Available to complete additional mandatory web‑based/virtual training activities post‑training (Jan 26‑31 2027)
• Reside in and travel within project‑designated areas to contact assigned households, including local and occasional overnight travel
• Available to work the data collection period expected from January 2027 to December 2030
• Available to work a minimum of 20 hours per week when work is available, mostly evenings and weekends, with limited daytime work based on household preferences
• Able to meet physical requirements: lift/carry 20 pounds of equipment, walk several blocks, climb stairs while carrying equipment
• Have consistent access to a fully insured, reliable vehicle meeting Westat’s minimum insurance coverage
• Hold a current and valid driver’s license not under suspension

Preferred Qualifications

• In‑person interviewing