APCD Data Scientist (DOH/CHP #10111609)
Role summary
The New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH) seeks a Data Scientist to manage and enhance the All-Payer Claims Database (APCD) data processing workflows. This role is crucial for ensuring accurate, high-quality, and timely health system and public health data to inform state-wide decision-making. Responsibilities include maintaining data pipelines, validating submissions, improving data quality in collaboration with IT and vendors, preparing analytic-ready datasets, integrating diverse data sources, and supporting data visualization efforts. The position serves NMDOH epidemiologists, analysts, leadership, state partners, external submitters, and community stakeholders, requiring strong technical skills in SQL, Python, or R, familiarity with medical coding, and excellent problem-solving and communication abilities.
Salary
$39.11 - $62.58 Hourly
$81,349 - $130,159 Annually
This position is a Pay Band C11
Posting Details
THIS POSTING WILL BE USED FOR ONGOING RECRUITMENT AND MAY CLOSE AT ANY TIME. APPLICANT LISTS MAY BE SCREENED MORE THAN ONCE.
This position is in the Community and Health Systems Epidemiology Bureau of the New Mexico Department of Health¿s Center for Health Protection (CHP). The Community and Health Systems Epidemiology Bureau consist of the Health Systems Epidemiology program. the Community Health Assessment program, the Health Equity & Tribal Epidemiology section, and the Geographic Information System Epidemiology program.
Why does the job exist?
The position exists to ensure the New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH) can maintain accurate, high quality, and timely data from the All-Payer Claims Database (APCD). This role supports NMDOH¿s expanding need for reliable health system and public health data by managing APCD data processing workflows, validating submissions from payers, improving data pipelines, and ensuring that clean, analytic ready claims data are available to inform decision making across the state.
How does it get done?
Maintain and improve APCD data processing pipelines and workflows.
Perform data validation and quality assurance on incoming APCD submissions.
Work with DOH IT, the APCD vendor, and data submitters to troubleshoot, resolve, and improve data quality.
Prepare analytic ready datasets for use by NMDOH epidemiologists and analysts.
Support cross dataset integration with hospital inpatient, syndromic surveillance, and public health datasets.
Assist with dashboards, reports, and visualizations that help communicate trends in healthcare access, utilization, and costs.
Provide technical assistance to internal staff and support documentation of data workflows.
Who are the customers?
NMDOH epidemiologists, analysts, and program staff who rely on accurate data for reports and surveillance.
NMDOH leadership and state partners¿including OSI, Healthcare Authority, HSD, LFC, and CDC¿who use APCD data to inform policy and planning.
External APCD submitters and stakeholders (payers, providers, vendors) who require guidance and support on data submissions and quality improvement.
Community partners, healthcare organizations, and researchers who depend on reliable health system information to understand patient needs and service use.
Ideal Candidate
The ideal candidate will have a Masters or PHD in Economics, Science, Public Health or Biostatistics; has experience working with large administrative or claims datasets and is skilled in developing and maintaining reproducible data pipelines. They are comfortable using tools such as SQL, Python, or R and understand medical coding structures used in claims data. The ideal candidate can troubleshoot technical issues with data submitters, clearly communicate data requirements, and ensure high data quality. They should be able to support epidemiologists and other public health staff in using APCD and related data for analysis and visualization. Strong problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and the ability to collaborate with both technical and non-technical partners are essential.
Minimum Qualification
Master's Degree in Public Health, Epidemiology, Sciences, Social Sciences, or Statistics and one (1) year in Public Health to include data analysis and linking methodology. Any combination of education from an accredited college or university in a related field and/or direct experience in this occupation totaling seven (7) years may substitute for the required education and experience.
Employment Requirements
Must possess and maintain a valid Driver's License.
Must possess and maintain a current Defensive Driving Course Certification from the State of New Mexico or must pass and receive Defensive Driving Course Certification as a condition of continued employment.
Working Conditions
Work is performed in an office setting with exposure to Visual/Video Display Terminal (VDT) and extensive personal computer and phone usage. Lifting up to twenty-five (25) pounds and some travel with the occasional overnight stay may be required.
Supplemental Information
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Agency Contact Information: Christopher Whiteside (505) 795-3991 Email
For information on Statutory Requirements for this position, click the Classification Description link on the job advertisement.
Bargaining Unit Position
This position is covered by a collective bargaining agreement and all terms/conditions of that agreement apply and must be adhered to.
