Research Specialist V

Location: Austin, TX

About the role

This position is for a Research Specialist V in the Provider Finance Department. The work is conducted under minimal supervision, with extensive latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment. The Research Specialist V develops and implements research and analytical procedures using complex statistical techniques to assess the validity of methods and/or procedures for appropriate application. Plans and/or conducts complex research and evaluation on the agency’s Medicaid and CHIP fee-for-service (FFS) and managed care (MC) programs' costs as it relates to FFS reimbursement rates, managed care payments/capitation rates, and supplemental payment programs.

The Research Specialist V prepares legislative reports and presentations and contributes to a variety of studies or other deliverables containing analyses of FFS and MCO data relevant to utilization and billing trends. Additional duties include coordination, computation, and data entry of measures, including coordination with program staff for additional analysis and reporting requirements.

Responsibilities

• Performs complex research related to HHSC program data and research needs necessary to develop reimbursement rates and supplemental payment programs for Medicaid and other client service providers. Coordinates, plans, develops, and monitors research-related projects by designing objectives, creating report outlines and structures, and overseeing preparation of findings. Drafts and determines methodologies for data acquisition and research projects, including use of academic research, published journals, independent surveys, claims and encounter data, commercial reimbursement solutions, or other data sources. Identifies best algorithms for data matching and works with colleagues to extract data, automate processes, and match data using complex programming and analytics methodology. Consults on and contributes to legislatively required research projects from beginning to end. (30%)
• Conducts research and data collection and extraction; performs data quality assurance reviews for financial analyses; writes complex scripts and code for data extraction and compilation from multiple data sources; organizes data for statistical methods and modeling. Provides consultation and technical advice on research methods and techniques for staff in acute care and hospital financing areas. (25%)
• Contributes to analysis plans; determines appropriate statistical techniques using complex databases and suggests or determines the appropriate approach for analysis; creates, evaluates, and reviews models and methodologies; conducts highly complex analyses and research related to FFS and managed care organizations’ financial programs and reimbursement techniques; interprets results; monitors research results in the short and long-term. Coordinates with staff for additional analysis and reporting requirements. Consults with research professionals to solve specific or assigned problems and ensure quality control across experimental methods, research design, and statistical analysis. (20%)
• Analyzes and evaluates the impact of legislation, regulations, and policies affecting reimbursement rates and healthcare finance. Reports results and makes recommendations to Executive staff, including the Executive Commissioner and other key personnel. Prepares reports and presentations for department leadership; communicates complex results to various audiences. Represents programs in committees, regional work groups, and projects to meet research and data analysis needs. Represents the state at the national level on research and data analysis issues. (15%)
• Drafts and monitors long-term research objectives, programs, and priorities needed to develop new reimbursement techniques and evaluate how reimbursement rates influence HHSC’s outcomes and goals for clients. Advises the section Director regarding progress toward long-term research objectives. (5%)
• Other duties as assigned. (5%)

Requirements

• Graduation from an accredited 4-year college or university.
• Minimum 1 year of experience with Excel.
• Minimum 2 years of experience with SQL, Tableau, or an analytics tool such as SAS, Stata, SPSS, R, or Python (preferred).

Skills

Knowledge of:

• Research and survey methods, principles, techniques, and philosophies.
• Statistical concepts, methods, and their application to research analysis.
• Quality assurance methods, measurement, testing, and evaluation.
• Data linkage techniques.

Skill in:

• Conducting qualitative and quantitative research.
• Use of a computer and applicable software.
• Use of statistical tools and programs.

Ability to:

• Communicate effectively in writing, speaking, and nonverbally.
• Draft and/or edit narrative reports.
• Explain technical information to others.
• Organize, track, work independently, and complete simultaneous difficult/complex tasks with varying deadlines.
• Establish and maintain effective work relationships.
• Work effectively in a team setting.
• Exercise good judgment in evaluating situations and making recommendations.
• Learn and effectively apply new procedures and techniques.
• Plan, organize, and participate in complex research projects.
• Analyze or evaluate research data and findings.
• Analyze and interpret complex statistical data.
• Use measuring instruments with respect to reliability, relevance, and validity.
• Analyze a problem and recommend an effective solution.

Benefits

Our comprehensive benefits package includes:

• 100% paid employee health insurance for full-time eligible employees.
• A defined benefit pension plan.
• Generous time off benefits.
• Numerous opportunities for career advancement.

Explore more details on the Benefits of Working at HHS webpage.

Pay

Salary Range: $5,425.33 - $8,886.16 per month.

Schedule

• Full-time, regular position.
• Day shift.
• Eligible for telework.
• Travel: Up to 15%.