Research Data Scientist - Surgery

At Houston Methodist, the Research Data Scientist position is responsible for addressing the best uses of data science and informatics development for providing a competitive advantage or addressing pressing clinical or business problems in Houston Methodist (HM) and Houston Methodist Academic Institute (HMAI) operations and care, as well as communicate informed conclusions and recommendations across an organization's leadership structure. The Research Data Scientist position will review clinical and research data to understand and report on the needs surrounding clinical, financial, operational, population health, social, behavior, and marketing data. This position works closely with physicians, caregivers, hospital staff, administrators, and other stakeholders to implement projects of clinical and business benefits.

FLSA STATUS

Exempt

QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION

• Master’s degree in computer science, Clinical Informatics, Public Health Administration, Business Administration, or Engineering, or an MD with experience in Computing, Informatics, and Statistics or related field

EXPERIENCE

• Two years’ experience in health care data analytics or database management in a healthcare organization

• Experience in clinical, research, and or healthcare administration

KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES

• Demonstrates the skills and competencies necessary to safely perform the assigned job, determined through ongoing skills, competency assessments, and performance evaluations

• Sufficient proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing the English language necessary to perform the essential functions of this job, especially with regard to activities impacting patient or employee safety or security

• Ability to effectively communicate with patients, physicians, family members and co-workers in a manner consistent with a customer service focus and application of positive language principles

• Skilled in statistical, database, and algorithm modeling preferred

• Skilled with implementing and managing Health IT software, prototyping and applications

• Knowledge of process mapping and analytics

• Knowledge of clinical/health data integration in a health care IT environment

• Ability to perform exploratory data analysis

• Ability to communicate complicated, technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

PEOPLE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Maintains client relationships as assigned and leads the delivery of innovative strategies and solutions.

• Partners in collaboration with leadership of the service lines/specialty areas to promote staff accountability and effective decision-making.

• Initiates contributions towards improvement of department scores for employee engagement, i.e., peer-to-peer accountability.

SERVICE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Analyzes health care data using basic and intermediate statistical methodologies; interprets results for investigators and prepares reports.

• Drives data analytical insight across the organization. Presents project progress and results to key stakeholders.

• Identifies data elements within the clinical/health/research databases for analytics and decision support.

• Maintains database results by setting and enforcing standards and controls. Revises data entry screens and data checks; reviews and resolves data discrepancies.

• Translates finding into implementable informatic solutions with the clinicians, hospital and research administration or other key stakeholders.

QUALITY/SAFETY ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Maintains accuracy and timeliness of data input into reports and decisions.

• Identifies and corrects flaws in interpretation of results, inconsistency in presentation or inference.

FINANCE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Uses department resources/equipment/supplies properly and efficiently.

• Manages the continuous improvement of clinical, research, and operational data and analytics.

GROWTH/INNOVATION ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Collaborates closely with physicians, care givers, hospital staff, administrators, and other stakeholders to implement projects of clinical and business benefits.

• Consults with hospital and research staff regarding process improvement, delivery of best outcomes, decision supports, data insights, and recommendations.

• Seeks opportunities to identify self-development needs and takes appropriate action participating in in-service programs and continuing education. Ensures own career discussions occur with appropriate management. Completes and updates the My Development Plan on an ongoing basis.

SUPPLEMENTAL REQUIREMENTS

WORK ATTIRE

• Uniform: No

• Scrubs: No

• Business professional: Yes

• Other (department approved): No

ON-CALL*

*Note that employees may be required to be on-call during emergencies (ie. Disaster, Severe Weather Events, etc) regardless of selection below.

• On Call* No

TRAVEL**

Travel specifications may vary by department

• May require travel within the Houston Metropolitan area No

• May require travel outside Houston Metropolitan area No

QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION

• Master’s degree in computer science, Clinical Informatics, Public Health Administration, Business Administration, or Engineering, or an MD with experience in Computing, Informatics, and Statistics or related field

EXPERIENCE

• Two years’ experience in health care data analytics or database management in a healthcare organization

• Experience in clinical, research, and or healthcare administration

Company Profile:

Houston Methodist Academic Institute oversees the Education Institute and Research Institute. The Academic Institute aligns our research and education initiatives in service to the clinical mission, providing solutions that answer the call for new technologies and skills our clinicians need for patient care. Houston Methodist Education Institute coordinates our primary academic affiliation with Weill Cornell Medicine and other joint programs, including the Engineering Medicine Program at Texas A&M University Intercollegiate School of Engineering Medicine. The Education Institute also oversees continuing medical education and graduate medical education, and supports trainees in residence for medical, nursing, allied health and research education programs. Houston Methodist Research Institute supports research programs and infrastructure that enable faculty across the system to bring new scientific discoveries to patients as rapidly as possible through the full cycle of a cure from conceptual bench research, to prototyping and development, to clinical trials and FDA approval. The Research Institute supports clinical research protocols and extramurally funded translational research programs.

Houston Methodist is an Equal Opportunity Employer.