Medicaid Programs Research Analyst

Do you have experience designing quality assurance metrics and standards to evaluate policies and programs at the community, state, and/or national level that promote equity and inclusion and reduce disparities? Are you passionate about using data to establish collective accountability mechanisms that enhance cost effectiveness, access, and quality of health care programs, care coordination, and care experience? We look forward to hearing from you

to view a Dashboard of all current recruitments for the Behavioral Health Division, Medicaid Division, and the Data Strategy & Partnerships section (which were previously all part of ). The specific positions associated with this posting are listed under REQ-156919. The dashboard identifies the business area (“Section”) and Unit for each position and also provides a link to a position description to offer you greater context for the role. Section 1 of the position description outlines Position Information, including Work Location and Supervisor Name. Section 3 outlines the Description of Duties.

This posting will be used to fill one (1) permanent, full-time position. The position is classified and is represented by a union. 

Work Location: Salem/Marion or Portland/Multnomah; hybrid position; Some evening and/or weekend work is required.

What you will do

The purpose of this position is to lead the design, development, implementation, and evaluation of research to inform the Oregon Health Authority on how it might best use Medicaid resources to develop and sustain a Quality Assurance System for Medicaid Fee-for-Service (FFS) and Agency with Choice program. The position will focus on developing systems-level evaluation processes, tools, and metrics to determine Medicaid FFS program quality and establish statewide FFS standards as an integral component of Medicaid FFS transformation, Agency with Choice program and Oregon Health Plan (OHP) system-wide quality improvement processes.

The position will develop a new member and provider-focused statewide quality assurance system for Medicaid FFS based upon health equity and outcome metrics. The person in this position will develop both quantitative indicators and qualitative process improvement data designed to establish standards for Agency with Choice Program and FFS member service access experience, provider service quality, network service adequacy standards, member service and feedback-related communication quality, operational processes including the standardization of provider rates, and the integration of FFS member and representative community voice in the rulemaking process.

The position will work collaboratively with internal Agency and external partners including FFS members and providers to integrate evaluation processes, determine internal and external quality assurance processes and indicators, research and support the development of rate standardization processes, and contract compliance policies and practices to establish statewide Medicaid FFS quality assurance standards and Agency of Choice program.

OHA values service excellence, leadership, integrity, health equity and partnership and has a strategic goal to end all health inequities by 2030.

The OHA mission is helping people and communities achieve optimum physical, mental, and social well-being through partnership, prevention and access to quality, affordable health care. OHA’s work is organized into three broad goals: Improve the lifelong health of all Oregonians, increase the quality, reliability, and availability of care for all Oregonians and lower or contain the cost of care so it is affordable to everyone.

What's in it for you?
Oregon Health Authority is a team of passionate individuals working to promote health across the lifespan of individuals, families, and communities. We value and support unique perspectives using a trauma-informed approach and aim to reflect these values in our hiring practices, professional development, and workplace.

• We offer exceptional benefits packages for you and your qualified family members, with very low monthly out-of-pocket costs. Try this free virtual benefits counselor by clicking here:  
• Paid Leave Days:
  • 11 paid holidays each year
  • 3 additional paid "Personal Business Days" each year
  • 8 hours of paid sick leave accumulated every month
  • Progressive vacation leave accrual with increases every 5 years
• Optional benefits include short-term disability, long-term disability, deferred compensation savings program, and flexible spending accounts for health care and childcare expenses.
• Click to learn more about State of Oregon benefits.

OHA values health equity, service excellence, integrity, leadership, partnership, innovation and transparency. OHA’s health equity definition is “Oregon will have established a health system that creates health equity when all people can reach their full potential and well-being and are not disadvantaged by their race, ethnicity, language, disability, age, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, social class, intersections among these communities or identities, or other socially determined circumstances. Achieving health equity requires the ongoing collaboration of all regions and sectors of the state, including tribal governments to address: the equitable distribution or redistributing of resources and power; and recognizing, reconciling, and rectifying historical and contemporary injustices.” OHA’s 10-year goal is to eliminate health inequities. Click , to learn more about OHA’s mission, vision and core values.

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR:

Minimum Qualifications

Five years of research experience using computerized applications to independently gather, compile, and analyze data and prepare narrative or statistical reports. Two of the five years must have included coordinating complex research projects.

Educational substitution for some experience:

A Bachelor's Degree or higher in any disciplines that included six-quarter units in statistics or quantitative analysis methods and procedures and three years of research experience.

Two of the three years must have included coordinating complex research projects.

Desired Attributes

• Experience in advancing health equity, including effective delivery of culturally responsive and inclusive services, evidence of ongoing development of personal cultural awareness and humility, and knowledge of social determinants of health and their impacts on health outcomes.
• Experience supporting/facilitating the development and implementation of policies and programs at the community, state, and/or national level that promote equity and inclusion and address systemic health disparities, with an emphasis on integrating the voice of consumers with lived experience.
• Specific knowledge of Oregon Administrative Rules and Oregon Revised Statutes, other applicable regulations, and program requirements.
• Knowledge of health services delivery systems, particularly the Oregon Health Plan/ Medicaid administration in Oregon, and experience in working with Community Mental Health Programs, Behavioral Health Service Providers, Coordinated Care Organizations or other managed care entities.
• Ability to demonstrate advanced SQL, R, SPSS, SAS or similar statistical analyses program skillset; experience conducting and interpreting linear and logistic regression analyses.
• Experience with health outcomes research, health care delivery systems research, or experience using health care expenditure, utilization, quality and outcomes data in large information systems.
• Experience in producing written reports, experience in presenting data for lay audiences / data visualization / data analysis / information summarization with corresponding software expertise.
• Experience communicating qualitative and quantitative information, verbal and written, that are accessible to and understood by audiences with different levels of comprehension or interest and that are culturally responsive, inclusive, and appropriate. 
• Ability to provide organizational leadership to support inter-and cross-agency collaboration and systems-wide changes that facilitate advocacy, equity, and client-centered policies and solutions.
• Strong communication skills across a variety of forms that demonstrate the ability to facilitate appreciative inquiry, foster trust and transparency, and promote human-centered change management.
• Ability to demonstrate advanced Microsoft Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook and Power BI skillset; and skilled use of collaboration tools such as Microsoft Teams, SharePoint, and Smartsheet.
• Demonstrates skills in the following areas:
  • Data Analysis and Visualization
  • Data Management and Mapping
  • Data Synthesis, Analysis and Reporting
  • Performance / Process / Quality Improvement
  • Program Design, Implementation, and Evaluation
  • Research Design and Analytical Research
  • Strong Oral and Written Communication
  • Systems and Organizational Improvement
  • Expert level Technical Assistance