Job Description

Overview

Full Job Title: Officer, Health Information Technology

The Pew Charitable Trusts uses data to make a difference. For more than 70 years, we have focused on serving the public, invigorating civic life, conducting nonpartisan research, advancing effective public policies and practices, and achieving tangible results. Through rigorous inquiry and knowledge sharing, we inform and engage public-spirited citizens and organizations, linking diverse interests to pursue common cause. We are a dedicated team of researchers, communicators, advocates, subject matter experts, and professionals working on today's big challenges – and we know we are more effective and creative collectively than we are individually. With Philadelphia as our home town and the majority of our staff located in Washington, DC, our U.S. and international staff find working at Pew personally and professionally rewarding.

Wise stewardship of resources allows Pew employees to pursue work that strategically furthers our philanthropic mission in significant and measurable ways. We collaborate with a diverse range of philanthropic partners, public and private organizations, and concerned citizens who share our interest in fact-based solutions and goal-driven investments to improve society. Pew attracts top talent, people of integrity who are service-oriented and willing to take on challenging assignments. We provide competitive pay and benefits, a healthy work-life balance, and a respectful and inclusive workplace. Pew employees are proud of their colleagues, proud of where they work, and proud of the institution's reputation.

The Government Performance Portfolio within Program

Government performance, one of the five program portfolios at The Pew Charitable Trusts, identifies and advances effective approaches to improve policy at all levels of government. The portfolio's project teams conduct research on emerging topics, develop data-driven reports, and highlight innovative approaches in addressing complex problems. Initiatives currently focus on three key areas for federal, state, and local governments: (1) health and human services; (2) management and budget; and (3) safety and justice.

GP utilizes the basic tools required to explore and advance effective policy solutions at the federal, state, and local levels. These solutions include credible, timely, and user-friendly research; assessments of public support for change; strategic outreach and dissemination to ensure that good information is widely communicated to decision-makers, media, influential stakeholders, and the public; the capacity to bring together diverse perspectives and find common ground; and the ability to identify and apply approaches that have proven successful elsewhere.

The GP portfolio is led by the vice president and head of government performance, with support from a vice president and senior directors who provide oversight over select projects and functions within the portfolio.

Health Information Technology
The health information technology project (HIT) seeks to improve the quality of health care in the United States by addressing issues related to the safety of HIT and the interoperability of health data. In particular, the project will:

• Conduct research and advance federal policies to improve the safe use of electronic health records (EHRs);
• Support government and private-sector solutions to more accurately match patients with their health records across health care systems, particularly through the standardization of demographic data and use of biometrics; and
• Advocate for policies to improve the effective extraction of health data from EHRs via application programming interfaces (APIs).

Position Overview
The officer, health information technology focuses on the project's work related to patient matching, which is the ability to link medical records for individuals that receive care in different health care facilities. The position is responsible for drafting fact sheets, issue briefs, web articles, and reports outlining current challenges with patient matching, the effect of poor matching on patient outcomes, and solutions identified by Pew to improve patient matching. The officer, working with government relations and project leadership, conducts advocacy to encourage the federal government to adopt standards for demographic data—such as address—to improve patient matching. Specifically, the position builds coalitions, monitors research projects, and drafts letters in response to policy proposals to advance enhanced use of demographic data for matching. Finally, the officer manages research on the use of biometrics in health care, specifically by overseeing contractors and planning meetings with experts. After concluding biometrics research, the officer will draft a report on the technical, privacy, workflow, and policy considerations—among factors—to improve patient matching through the use of biometrics.

While knowledge of health care policy is preferred, the officer is not expected to have subject matter expertise on health information technology or biometrics. The position involves significant writing, especially to communicate complex topics to educated lay readers. The position has a set time frame that could be extended based on the success of the program, funding sources, and board decisions on continued support.

• Draft written documents—including fact sheets, issue briefs, reports, regulatory comments, etc.—around the project's goal of improving patient matching.
• Develop, execute, and oversee research projects on patient matching, demographic data standards, and biometrics. Supervise external contractors as needed as part of this work.
• Build, in collaboration with other Pew staff, a coalition of support—from clinical societies, technology developers, and other organizations—to advance Pew's patient matching goals, particularly focused on the use of demographic data standardization.
• Develop, with contractor support, an in-depth written technical and privacy-focused framework for the use of biometrics in health care for patient matching.
• Plan and execute plans to solicit feedback from external stakeholders, such as by preparing interviews with experts and hosting expert meetings.
• Monitor key activities of government (e.g. the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services), academia, industry, and other key stakeholders.
• Collaborate with external stakeholders as needed to further project objectives.
• Represent Pew at public forums and speaking engagements, as needed.
• Serve as a good steward of Pew resources, including effective management of the project's budget and external contracts.
• Contribute to and participate in tasks of the project and department as assigned, as well as broader Pew-wide projects and committees as needed.

• Bachelor's degree required. Advanced degree preferred.
• At least eight years of applicable experience in the field gained through professional education, training and professional experience, including in writing and policy analysis. Health care and/or health policy experience preferred.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, including an ability to briefly summarize complex technical issues for a lay audience. Clear, effective writing is necessary for success in this position.
• Ability to meet deadlines while assuring high quality work product.
• Familiarity with programs related to health information technology run by the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services preferred, but not required.
• Knowledge of key stakeholder groups—such as the American Medical Association, the American Hospital Association, the Electronic Health Records Association, and patient organizations.
• Strong capability to evaluate different stakeholder positions, research papers, and other data to describe the pros and cons of various approaches to improve patient matching. Has a proven track record of synthesizing information from interviews of experts and other data sources into defensible analyses and recommendations.
• A history of consensus building, and resolving problems creatively and logically to drive results.
• Demonstrated strong analytical and research skills, and ability to understand, analyze, and explain technical concepts. Asks probing, relevant questions. Ability to synthesize material and to focus quickly on the essence of an issue.
• Strong interpersonal skills; ability to develop and manage productive relationships with consultants, partners and others. Persuades others, internally and externally, to gain support and commitment of initiatives. Excellent listening skills.
• Demonstrated time- and project-management skills. Ability to think strategically and creatively, juggle multiple priorities, adjust to changing circumstances, organize time, remain attentive to details, and identify resources for projects.
• Ability to make decisions after contemplating various courses of action, justify recommendations, and be responsive, clear and resolute when appropriate.
• Ability to fit into the creative, fast-paced, and highly professional corporate culture of Pew, which emphasizes excellence, collegiality and teamwork. Has a proven track record of working as a member of a team and independently to meet goals.

Travel
The officer undertakes a nominal amount of travel, including to conferences and on occasional trips, to promote the project's work.

Total Rewards
We offer a competitive salary and benefit program, including: comprehensive, affordable health care through medical, dental, and vision coverage; financial security with life and disability insurance; opportunities to save using health savings and flexible spending accounts; retirement benefits to help prepare for the future; and work/life benefits to maintain a good balance.

The Pew Charitable Trusts is an equal opportunity employer, committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace. Pew considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to age, sex, ethnicity, religion, disability, marital status, sexual orientation or gender identity, military/veteran status, or any other basis prohibited by applicable law.