Research Python Programmer​/Data Analyst

Why RTI

RTI International is an independent, scientific research institute dedicated to improving the human condition. Our vision is to address the world's most critical problems with technical and science-based solutions in pursuit of a better future. Clients rely on us to answer questions that demand an objective and multidisciplinary approach—one that integrates expertise across social, statistical, data, and laboratory sciences, engineering, and other technical disciplines to solve the world's most challenging problems.

We believe in the promise of science and technical solutions, and we push ourselves every day to deliver on that promise for the good of people, communities, and businesses in the US and around the world. If you are looking for the opportunity to make a real difference, RTI is the place for you.

RTI's Center for Data Interoperability is seeking dynamic and detail-oriented candidates for a full-time Research Programmer/Analyst with Python, SAS or SQL analytic programming experience. The Research Programmer/Analyst will work with researcher teams to analyze and synthesize complex qualitative and quantitative administrative health data from multiple sources into meaningful results. Individuals in this role will provide analytic development and statistical programming expertise to project teams conducting research using healthcare data, especially large and complex health insurance claims and survey data, in a fast-paced environment.

This position is based in Research Triangle Park or any other U.S. location as a telecommuter.

Core responsibilities:

Approximately 85% of working time will require:

• Applying coding expertise and best practices to query, merge, and analyze complex healthcare data from large relational databases
• Leveraging a variety of quantitative methods to standardize, blend, and distill data from multiple disparate sources, transforming them into analytic insights for use in client reports, journal manuscripts, abstracts, or posters for professional meetings
• Iteratively developing and maintaining SAS, SQL, or Python code with an emphasis on increasing efficiency, minimizing computational errors, implementing process improvements, and other approaches that add value to business processes and analytic results
• Participating in thorough code review and documentation, as well as parallel coding efforts for other programmers to maintain quality standards and ensure that code may be efficiently transferred among team members as needed
• Constructing analytic datasets and databases to support deliverables for various public health and healthcare financing engagements
• Collaborating with project team members to review, critically evaluate, and refine business requirements, and then translate those requirements into programming logic
• Demonstrating established functional leadership skills on projects, including advising and mentoring fellow programmers, proactively resolving day-to-day issues of small to medium complexity, incorporating sound coding best practices and standards, and developing these behaviors among early-career staff

Approximately 15% of working time will require:

• Supporting strategic initiatives within the larger programming group and health practice area such as identifying emerging technologies for potential adoption, creating efficiencies or novel coding approaches both within and across projects, mentoring staff, and collaborating with analysts and other programmers to support research objectives
• Participating in industry conferences and continuing education on healthcare-related and/or technical coding topics (including learning new coding languages) as applicable to the role and evolving business needs
• Routinely sharing insights gained from the above activities with fellow programmers, leaders, and other division staff through activities such as presentations at staff meetings, contributions to collective codebase utilities, and training early career staff

Minimum Qualifications:

• BS/BA or advanced degree in data science, computer science, statistics, social sciences, health policy or related field with at least 8 years of programming experience OR the equivalent combination of education and experience. An equivalent combination of education and experience is defined as a Master's degree in the same areas mentioned above and at least 6 years of relevant experience
• Minimum of 8 years of combined experience with Python, SAS or SQL analytical coding with demonstrated expertise in the linkage of various types of data files. At least 4 years of the minimum experience must be comprised of leveraging Python and/or SQL for analytic programming purposes
• Programming experience using data stored in relational databases such as Teradata, Snowflake, DB2, Oracle, and SQL Server
• Healthcare industry experience, analytic experience in work with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and/or knowledge of healthcare terminology and…