Medicaid Programmer, Healthcare Innovations
American Institutes for Research · United States
- Hybrid
- Full-time
- $166,800 / year
- United States
Job highlights
- Analyze complex Medicaid administrative data.
- Develop high-quality analytic files for research.
- Utilize SQL, R, Python, or STATA.
- Collaborate on health policy analysis projects.
- Flexible remote work within the U.S.
About the role
Medicaid Data Programmer
American Institutes for Research (AIR) is seeking a skilled Medicaid Data Programmer with extensive experience in handling Medicaid administrative data. This role is crucial for transforming complex datasets into high-quality analytic files, contributing to applied health services research and policy analysis.
About the Role
As a Medicaid Data Programmer II, you will be involved in all project phases, including data ingestion, quality assessment, analytic file development, and statistical analysis. The position emphasizes Medicaid data expertise and data engineering. You will report to the Healthcare Innovations Team, focusing on evidence generation and translating findings into actionable insights for various stakeholders.
This position offers the flexibility of remote work within the United States or from one of AIR’s U.S. office locations.
Responsibilities
- Work with large-scale Medicaid administrative datasets (eligibility, enrollment, claims, encounters, provider files).
- Extract, clean, recode, merge, and de-duplicate complex administrative data from multiple sources.
- Convert and integrate data across analytic environments and formats (STATA, R, Python, SQL, mainframes, cloud platforms).
- Perform data quality checks, logic checks, and validation analyses.
- Handle missing data, conduct outlier analyses, and construct derived variables.
- Develop research-ready datasets for health policy analysis, program evaluation, and reporting.
- Produce tables, figures, and customized analytic outputs.
- Contribute to statistical analyses under the direction of senior researchers.
- Write and maintain clear documentation for data processing and code changes.
- Troubleshoot and revise existing code and workflows for efficiency and accuracy.
- Provide technical guidance or informal mentoring to junior staff.
- Contribute to technical sections of reports and proposals.
- Perform other related duties as assigned.
Qualifications
- Undergraduate degree in Statistics, Epidemiology, Economics, Health Informatics, Computer Science, or a related field.
- At least 3 years of experience working directly with Medicaid administrative data (claims and/or encounter data).
- Strong hands-on experience with programming/analytic languages (SQL, R, Python, STATA, or similar) for large dataset management.
- Demonstrated experience producing analytic datasets, summary tables, and figures for research or policy projects.
- Familiarity with Medicaid data structures, coding systems (ICD, CPT, HCPCS, NDC), and enrollment/eligibility concepts.
- Experience with CMS Medicaid and Medicare Research Identifiable Files (RIF) or secure data environments (e.g., CMS Virtual Research Data Center) is preferred.
- Experience supporting proposal development or technical write-ups is preferred.
Skills
- Strong data management and data processing skills.
- Excellent attention to detail and commitment to data accuracy and documentation.
- Strong organizational and time-management skills.
- Ability to clearly communicate technical concepts to non-technical audiences.
- Strong interpersonal skills and ability to collaborate effectively in a multidisciplinary team environment.
- Ability to learn new tools, data structures, and analytic approaches quickly.
- Experience applying data programming skills in a health policy or health services research context is preferred.
About American Institutes for Research (AIR)
Founded in 1946 and headquartered in Arlington, Virginia, AIR is a nonpartisan, not-for-profit organization conducting behavioral and social science research and delivering technical assistance to address pressing challenges. We generate evidence and apply data-driven solutions to improve lives.
Key skills/competency
- Medicaid Data
- Data Programming
- Health Services Research
- Data Quality
- Data Engineering
- SQL
- R
- Python
- Policy Analysis
- Data Management
Skills & topics
- Medicaid Data
- Data Programmer
- Health Services Research
- Policy Analysis
- Data Engineering
- SQL
- R
- Python
- Data Management
- Healthcare Innovations
- Eligibility Data
- Claims Data
- Encounter Data
- Statistical Analysis
- AIR
- American Institutes for Research
- Remote
- US
How to get hired
- Tailor your resume: Highlight your experience with Medicaid data (eligibility, claims, encounters) and programming languages like SQL, R, or Python.
- Showcase relevant projects: Emphasize your ability to transform complex datasets into research-ready outputs and produce tables/figures.
- Address qualifications directly: Clearly state your years of experience with Medicaid data and any familiarity with CMS data environments.
- Prepare for technical questions: Be ready to discuss your approach to data quality, data cleaning, and your proficiency in chosen programming languages.
- Demonstrate communication skills: Prepare examples of how you explain technical concepts to non-technical audiences.
Technical preparation
Master Medicaid data structures (eligibility, claims).,Practice SQL for data extraction and manipulation.,Develop proficiency in R or Python for analysis.,Familiarize with data quality and validation methods.
Behavioral questions
Describe a complex data challenge you solved.,How do you ensure data accuracy and documentation?,How do you communicate technical findings to non-experts?,How do you collaborate in a multidisciplinary team?
Frequently asked questions
- What specific types of Medicaid data does the American Institutes for Research (AIR) Medicaid Data Programmer role focus on?
- The Medicaid Data Programmer role at AIR focuses on working with large-scale Medicaid administrative datasets, including eligibility, enrollment, claims, managed care encounter data, and provider files.
- What programming languages or analytic tools are most important for the Medicaid Data Programmer position at AIR?
- While emphasizing Medicaid data expertise, the role requires strong hands-on experience with one or more programming or analytic languages such as SQL, R, Python, or STATA for managing and analyzing large datasets.
- Can I work remotely in this Medicaid Data Programmer role?
- Yes, this position offers the flexibility to work remotely within the United States (U.S.) or from one of AIR’s U.S. office locations. U.S. territories are not included.
- What kind of research or analysis will a Medicaid Data Programmer at AIR be involved in?
- A Medicaid Data Programmer at AIR will contribute to applied health services research and policy analysis by transforming complex administrative datasets into high-quality analytic files and research-ready outputs, supporting health policy analysis and program evaluation.
- What is the minimum experience required for the Medicaid Data Programmer role?
- The role requires at least 3 years of experience working directly with Medicaid administrative data, including claims and/or encounter data, and strong hands-on experience with at least one programming or analytic language.
- Does American Institutes for Research offer visa sponsorship for the Medicaid Data Programmer position?
- No, American Institutes for Research does not offer employment-based visa sponsorship, including H-1B sponsorship, for this position. Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the U.S. on a full-time basis.
- What is the anticipated salary range for the Medicaid Data Programmer at AIR?
- The anticipated annual salary range for this position is $125,000 to $166,800 USD.
- What educational background is preferred for the Medicaid Data Programmer role?
- An undergraduate degree in Statistics, Epidemiology, Economics, Health Informatics, Computer Science, or a related field is required. Familiarity with specific Medicaid data structures and coding systems is also beneficial.