Health Data Analyst

The Role

Ensures current epidemiological information is readily available for public health planning and surveillance initiatives by extracting, manipulating, analyzing, and interpreting health-related statistical data. Designs databases and interactive data visualization tools for projects/ programs. Provides analytical and technical support in database management, health data analysis, and health data mapping to public health staff for departmental programs, cross-departmental working groups, and community agencies. Supports program planning initiatives for a variety of public health areas and monitoring the health status of Waterloo Region residents.

Duties/Responsibilities

• Manages health-related data used by the Epidemiology & Health Analytics (EHA) team and departmental staff.
• Provides analytical and technical support for data requests, health status reports, routine data products, and other projects as part of the EHA team.
• Extracts, manipulates, analyzes, and interprets health, population, and related data from local, Provincial, and Federal database systems. Assembles and transforms data into appropriate format for analysis to aid in the understanding of the geographic influence of social, economic, and environmental factors on human health.
• Fulfills data requests from a variety of health databases/information systems and complies with privacy guidelines per data sharing agreements.
• Presents data in effective, engaging, understandable formats (e.g., tables, charts, maps, interactive reports) using a variety of software and analytical tools.
• Coordinates assigned projects and represents EHA on departmental and corporate projects, and external data networking groups.
• Provides technical input on database/data model design, development, and maintenance, including advising departmental teams and management. Designs, develops, and maintains databases and data visualization tools/reports. Analyses system capabilities, including integration with other systems.
• Identifies and assesses data analysis, data management, and project-related issues (e.g., data quality, software issues) and recommends solutions to management.
• Evaluates, recommends, and implements quality improvements to increase automation and efficiency of databases and related processes.
• Provides technical support to departmental staff on using health information databases, as requested (e.g., troubleshooting software issues, creating reports). Conducts workshops and training sessions for departmental staff on software.
• Uses GIS software to generate maps as requested by internal and external stakeholders. Maintains metadata of public health geo-referenced datasets, for use by Public Health and other departments.
• Tracks trends spatially and temporally to identify patterns in disease and risk factor surveillance and to assist departmental staff in program planning.
• Assists Epidemiologist by providing epidemiological, statistical, and information management support for investigations into outbreaks, clusters, and health hazards.
• Assists Epidemiologist and other Public Health staff to develop data collection tools (e.g., questionnaires), used for data input and database construction, as requested or required by projects.
• Prepares and/or assists Epidemiologist to prepare heath data and analysis reports for presentation and distribution to Community Services Committee and/or other stakeholders; presents as required.
• Monitors functioning of computer, statistical software, and access to web servers from which data are obtained and arranges servicing as required. Recommends hardware and software purchases.
• Develops policies and procedures for the Division, for management approval.
• Represents the Department and maintains relationships on inter-departmental, provincial, and national working groups and associations as it relates to research and data interests, as assigned.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Thorough working knowledge of population health data analysis and management, acquired through a Master’s degree (e.g., public health, health sciences, statistics, health informatics) plus 6 months of experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience such as a 4-year university degree in a related field plus 2 years of related experience in population health data analysis and management.
• Knowledge of and ability to comply with corporate policies and procedures, database policies and procedures, privacy legislation (e.g., Personal Health Information Protection Act, Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act), and principles and methodology specific to statistical analysis and data management.
• Ability to extract, collate, analyze, and interpret health data from multiple sources per established principles and methodology, and use reasoning and problem solving skills to identify data quality and software issues, and develop and recommend solutions.
• Skill in database development, management, and analysis; verification and quality control procedures; and in-depth knowledge of Excel and other statistical software (e.g., SAS, R ), business intelligence and data visualization software (e.g. Power BI, Tableau), and word processing software (e.g., Microsoft Word, PowerPoint). Skill in (or knowledge of and ability to learn) GIS mapping and spatial statistical software.
• Ability to keep knowledge and skills current as it relates to data management, technology/software, and statistical analysis.
• Ability to problem solve and troubleshoot issues with health information systems, database management, and analysis.
• Communication and human relations skills to communicate technical information with internal and external stakeholders, deliver training, present information, coordinate and support project teams, and participate as an effective team member in a multidisciplinary team setting.
• Ability to write/prepare reports and display statistical data in easy to understand formats, and draft technical documents involving analytical or interpretive descriptions to professional and lay audiences.
• Ability to critically appraise literature and statistical methods and apply results to work.
• Ability to travel within and outside Waterloo Region.
• Ability to support and demonstrate the Region’s values.