Data Scientist
Ascension · United States
- Hybrid
- Full-time
- $115,000 / year
- United States
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Job highlights
- Build predictive models and Generative AI tools.
- Process and analyze complex healthcare data.
- Evaluate model performance and bias.
- Collaborate with senior data scientists.
- Document code and maintain project documentation.
About the role
Data Scientist
Ascension is a leading nonprofit Catholic health system dedicated to reimagining healthcare through a culture of service, growth, care, and connection. We offer a supportive and inclusive environment for over 97,000 associates.
Job Overview
Department: Clinical and Population Health Analytics
Schedule: Full-time | Day shift
Salary: $96,208.99 - $134,109.89 per year
How You’ll Make an Impact
- Build & Refine: Assist in building, testing, and refining predictive machine learning models and text-based Generative AI tools (utilizing Vertex AI and modern NLP frameworks) under the guidance of senior team members to address real-world clinical challenges.
- Process & Analyze: Extract, clean, and preprocess structured healthcare data (EHR, billing, and claims), performing feature engineering to address noise, missingness, and complex clinical data structures.
- Evaluate & Test: Conduct model evaluation, benchmarking, and error analysis, assessing performance metrics alongside clinical safety, fairness, and potential algorithmic bias.
- Collaborate & Learn: Work alongside senior data scientists and clinical mentors to translate broad clinical questions into structured analytics problems and actionable technical tasks.
- Document & Handoff: Write clean, well-documented code and maintain clear project documentation (in GitHub) to support model deployment and integration with MLOps pipelines.
Minimum Requirements
- High School diploma equivalency with 2 years of cumulative experience OR Associate's degree/Bachelor's degree OR 4 years of applicable cumulative job specific experience.
Additional Preferences
- Education: A Bachelor’s, Master’s, or PhD in Data Science, Computer Science, Health Informatics, Statistics, or a related STEM field.
- Healthcare Domain Interest: Familiarity with or strong eagerness to learn healthcare data standards and clinical coding structures (e.g., ICD-10, CPT codes).
- Core Technical Skills: Solid foundational proficiency in Python (pandas, NumPy, scikit-learn), working knowledge of SQL (BigQuery/relational databases), and familiarity with version control tools like Git/GitHub.
- AI & NLP Exposure: Exposure to Large Language Model (LLM) concepts, prompt engineering, or modern NLP/GenAI frameworks (e.g., Hugging Face, LangChain, or Google Vertex AI) through coursework, research, internships, or projects.
- Communication & Curiosity: Strong analytical problem-solving skills with the ability to communicate technical findings clearly to both technical peers and clinical stakeholders.
Life at Ascension
Ascension is recognized as one of the Best 150+ Places to Work in Healthcare and a Military-Friendly Gold Employer. We foster an inclusive and supportive environment where your contributions are valued.
Benefits that Help You Thrive
- Comprehensive health coverage: medical, dental, vision, prescription coverage and HSA/FSA options.
- Financial security & retirement: employer-matched 403(b), planning and hardship resources, disability and life insurance.
- Time to recharge: pro-rated paid time off (PTO) and holidays.
- Career growth: Ascension-paid tuition (Vocare), reimbursement, ongoing professional development and online learning.
- Emotional well-being: Employee Assistance Program, counseling and peer support, spiritual care and stress management resources.
- Family support: parental leave, adoption assistance and family benefits.
- Other benefits: optional legal and pet insurance, transportation savings and more.
Key skills/competency
- Data Science
- Machine Learning
- Generative AI
- Python
- SQL
- Healthcare Data
- NLP
- Vertex AI
- Git/GitHub
- Problem-solving
Skills & topics
- Data Scientist
- Machine Learning
- Generative AI
- Python
- SQL
- Healthcare Data
- NLP
- Vertex AI
- Clinical Analytics
- Population Health
- Data Analysis
- Predictive Modeling
- BigQuery
- Git
- GitHub
How to get hired
- Tailor your resume: Highlight Python, SQL, machine learning, and NLP skills. Emphasize any healthcare data experience.
- Showcase AI/ML projects: Include specific examples of predictive modeling or Generative AI work on your resume and in your application.
- Demonstrate healthcare interest: Clearly articulate your understanding or eagerness to learn healthcare data standards and clinical coding.
- Prepare for technical questions: Be ready to discuss your experience with data preprocessing, model evaluation, and version control (Git/GitHub).
- Research Ascension's mission: Understand their commitment to healthcare and how your data science skills can contribute to their mission.
Technical preparation
Master Python libraries: pandas, NumPy, scikit-learn.,Practice SQL for healthcare database queries.,Build projects with LLMs or NLP frameworks.,Familiarize with Git and GitHub for code management.
Behavioral questions
Describe a complex data problem you solved.,How do you ensure fairness in AI models?,Explain technical concepts to non-technical audiences.,How do you collaborate with clinical teams?
Frequently asked questions
- What are the minimum education requirements for the Data Scientist role at Ascension?
- The minimum education requirement for the Data Scientist position at Ascension is a High School diploma equivalency with 2 years of cumulative experience, or an Associate's/Bachelor's degree, or 4 years of applicable cumulative job-specific experience. However, a Bachelor's, Master's, or PhD in Data Science, Computer Science, Health Informatics, Statistics, or a related STEM field is preferred.
- What specific technical skills are essential for the Data Scientist job at Ascension?
- Essential technical skills for the Data Scientist role at Ascension include foundational proficiency in Python (pandas, NumPy, scikit-learn), working knowledge of SQL (BigQuery/relational databases), and familiarity with version control tools like Git/GitHub. Exposure to LLM concepts, prompt engineering, or modern NLP/GenAI frameworks is also highly valued.
- Does Ascension require candidates for the Data Scientist position to have prior healthcare experience?
- While prior healthcare experience is not a strict minimum requirement, Ascension strongly prefers candidates who have familiarity with or a strong eagerness to learn healthcare data standards and clinical coding structures (e.g., ICD-10, CPT codes). This indicates a valuable interest in the domain.
- What is the work arrangement for the Data Scientist position at Ascension?
- The Data Scientist position at Ascension is a remote role, allowing you to work from any location. The schedule is full-time, typically during day shifts.
- How can I highlight my experience with Generative AI for the Data Scientist application at Ascension?
- To highlight your Generative AI experience, focus on any projects involving LLM concepts, prompt engineering, or modern NLP/GenAI frameworks (like Hugging Face, LangChain, or Google Vertex AI). Mention specific contributions in building, testing, or refining such tools in your resume and cover letter.
- What kind of data will I be working with as a Data Scientist at Ascension?
- As a Data Scientist at Ascension, you will primarily work with structured healthcare data, including Electronic Health Records (EHR), billing, and claims data. You will be responsible for extracting, cleaning, preprocessing, and performing feature engineering on this complex data.
- What are the key performance indicators or evaluation criteria for a Data Scientist at Ascension?
- Key evaluation criteria for a Data Scientist at Ascension include conducting model evaluation, benchmarking, and error analysis. Performance is assessed based on metrics alongside clinical safety, fairness, and potential algorithmic bias, ensuring responsible AI development.
- How does Ascension support career growth for its Data Scientists?
- Ascension supports career growth through various avenues, including Ascension-paid tuition (Vocare), reimbursement for further education, ongoing professional development opportunities, and access to online learning resources. This ensures continuous learning and skill enhancement.