Data Coding Jobs (NOW HIRING)

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) is seeking to hire a temporary contractor to provide support to the Office of Statistics and Evaluation (OSE) to support statewide implementation of cross-cutting approaches to promote health and prevent injuries and associated risk factors. This position will primarily support the Bureau of Community Health and Prevention's (BCHAP) Injury Surveillance Program (ISP) efforts to collect data on injuries and deaths related to homicides, suicides, and/or unintentional drug overdoses. This will include collecting data from documents such as death certificates, medical examiner reports, and police reports; performing data quality control; and meeting reporting requirements for federally funded cooperative agreements. This position will involve the use of confidential data, and signing a confidentiality agreement will be required.  

Duties and Responsibilities(these duties are a general summary and not all inclusive):

• Collect, review, abstract, and code information from medical examiner reports, death certificates, police reports, and supplemental data sources on unintentional drug overdose-related deaths.

• Act as project liaison with external and internal data providers, users, and stakeholders.

• Assist in the creation and formatting of data dissemination products.

• Conduct data quality control activities.

• Maintain a database to track the progress of data abstraction.

• Provide research and administrative support to the program supervisor and epidemiologist.

• Attend training on the National Violent Death Reporting System (NVDRS) and State Unintentional Drug Overdose Reporting System (SUDORS) data coding systems.

• Participate in Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) communications related to data coding.

• Work closely with other abstractors in the Injury Surveillance Program (ISP).

• Attend staff and other injury-related meetings, as required.

• Perform related duties essential to injury/overdose surveillance, BCHAP priorities, and DPH priorities, as assigned.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Applicants with an understanding of equity and its impact on access to resources and health are strongly preferred.

• Knowledge and understanding of qualitative data collection and analysis.

• Experience working with medical records.

• Exceptional communication skills.

• Experienced working in groups and collaborating with others.

• Ability to independently coordinate projects and activities.

• Willingness to learn new technical skills (e.g., GIS mapping software, propensity scoring). 

• Knowledge of Microsoft Office.

• Capacity to assemble items of information following established procedures.

• Potential to maintain accurate records.

• Means to communicate concisely, express thoughts clearly, and develop ideas in a logical sequence, both orally and in writing.

• Capability to follow written and oral instructions, and to communicate effectively in oral expression.

• Power to establish and maintain harmonious working relationships with others and establish a rapport with others.

• Able to deal tactfully with others.

• Skilled to adjust to varying and changing situations to meet emergency or changing program requirements.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment.

Evaluation Criteria:

• Relevant background knowledge and skills.
• Applications must indicate the capacity to perform services, meet qualifications and stated experience, interview with Bureau designee, provide references, and demonstrate value.
• Proven oral and written communication skills required.

Additional Information:

• Benefits are unavailable with the exception of sick leave accruals.
• Merit and C.O.L.A. increases may be included.
• Contracts are renewable, subject to the Department approval, performance, and allocation of funds.
• All employees will be paid on a biweekly basis and must have direct deposit.

Pre-Hire Process:

A criminal background check will be completed on the recommended candidate as required by the regulations set forth by the Executive Office of Health and Human Services prior to the candidate being hired. For more information, please visit http://www.mass.gov/hhs/cori

Education, licensure and certifications will be verified in accordance with the Human Resources Division's Hiring Guidelines.

Education and license/certification information provided by the selected candidate(s) is subject to the Massachusetts Public Records Law and may be published on the Commonwealth's website.

ADA Reasonable Accommodation:

If you require a reasonable accommodation with the application/interview process, please contact us at: EOHHS Candidate ADA Requests

For questions regarding this requisition, please contact the Executive Office of Health and Human Services Human Resources at 1-800- 510-4122 Ext. #4

Salary placement is determined by a combination of factors, including the candidate's years of directly related experience and education, and alignment with our internal compensation structure as set forth by the Human Resources Division's Hiring Guidelines. For all bargaining unit positions (non-management), compensation is subject to the salary provisions outlined in the applicable collective bargaining agreement and will apply to placement within the appropriate salary range.

Comprehensive Benefits

When you embark on a career with the Commonwealth, you are offered an outstanding suite of employee benefits that add to the overall value of your compensation package. We take pride in providing a work experience that supports you, your loved ones, and your future.

Want the specifics? Explore our Employee Benefits and Rewards!

An Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer.  Females, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.

The Commonwealth is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, national origin, veteran status, or any other basis covered by appropriate law.  Research suggests that qualified women, Black, Indigenous, and Persons of Color (BIPOC) may self-select out of opportunities if they don't meet 100% of the job requirements.  We encourage individuals who believe they have the skills necessary to thrive to apply for this role.