Data Analyst Health Surveillance
Role summary
The Data Analyst, Health Surveillance, is responsible for providing data management, maintenance, and analysis services within a designated service line at the Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA). This role ensures the quality and integrity of data for various information systems, performs regular data analysis, and supports staff in using information systems. Key duties include data extraction, transformation, documentation, developing reporting tools, performing descriptive analyses, monitoring data quality, and preparing documentation. The analyst will also support data security, assist with data gathering from various sources, provide training on data applications, and maintain departmental web content. This position reports to the Coordinator for Data Standards and Integration and has a functional relationship with the assigned service line.
Job Summary
In accordance with the Mission, Vision and Values, and strategic directions of Provincial Health Services Authority patient safety is a priority and a responsibility shared by everyone at PHSA, and as such, the requirement to continuously improve quality and safety is inherent in all aspects of this position. The Data Analyst, working within a designated service line, provides data management and maintenance services, ensures quality and integrity of data for the various information systems, performs regular analysis of data, and supports information system use by departmental staff. The Data Analyst reports to the Coordinator for Data Standards and Integration, and has a functional relationship to the service line the Analyst is assigned to.
Duties/Accountabilities
- Performs data management and preparation activities, including data extraction, transformation, and documentation. Develops and maintains data collection and recording systems such as databases, spreadsheets, and web-sites, including designing ad hoc reports. Writes computer code and data queries to capture and edit data, and/or liaises with information systems department for same. Creates analytic reporting tools to allow internal and external users to analyze data. Receives and responds to ongoing requests to evaluate data, systems, processes and procedures. Automates routine data management tasks using standard programming tools.
- Performs descriptive analyses and produces summaries and analytical reports using statistical software and coding, identifying all data limitations that apply. Identifies issues, trends, and developments. Communicates findings to Centre staff and external stakeholders at the local, provincial and federal level. Automates routine analyses using standard programming tools.
- Monitors data quality in the information systems like the Public Health Information System and disease databases, proactively identifies and communicates anomalies that indicate data quality issues, and ensures that data used for analysis purposes or distributed to stakeholders is of the highest quality possible. Follows up with regional health authorities on missing, erroneous, and duplicate data to achieve high quality data. Corrects data errors in a timely manner. Documents processes for these procedures.
- Prepares and maintains documentation and reports such as user guides, procedure manuals, metadata, code documentation, data security policies and data dictionaries.
- Supports data security by assigning and deleting access for various applications and network file systems. Ensures the secure transfer of patient data to stakeholders when authorized to.
- Assists as needed with gathering data, entering data, researching historical and archival data, accessing on-line databases, performing interviews, and obtaining data from national, provincial and local agencies and individuals. Links data from separate sources such as the client registry and MSP.
- Provides training and user support to users on software applications used by department staff. Attains high-level proficiency with the centre’s data warehouse and related tools in order to train and support staff in the assigned service line.
- Maintains the departmental content on the Inter, Extra and Intra nets. Recommends and implements changes to, and development of, web sites, and web site content. Adds links, URLs, PDFs, MS Excel files, word documents and graphics to web sites using html programming language.
- Participates in review, critique/ enhancement identification, documentation, and planning of systems such as the centre’s data warehouse, providing information about data requirements and workflows as needed.
- Coordinates the placement of the rotating co-op student in the department, provides orientation, assigns and oversees their activities, and evaluates their performance.
- Performs other related duties as assigned.
Qualifications
Education, Training and Experience
- Bachelor’s Degree in Health Information Science or Computer Science or equivalent and three (3) years’ experience as a data analyst/scientist, preferably in community health and/or the health information field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Skills And Abilities
- Ability to write data management and analysis programs using data programming tools such as SAS or R.
- Experience managing and querying data in large relational or multidimensional databases and data warehouses an asset.
- Ability to create data visualizations.
- Knowledge of standard software packages, spreadsheet, statistical, graphical, database, communication and web software.
- Knowledge of descriptive statistics.
- Knowledge of PC systems and applications.
- Familiarity with health-related terminology.
- Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.
- Ability to operate related equipment
- Physical ability to carry out the duties of the position.