ResDAC Careers

The Research Data Assistance Center (ResDAC) is housed within the vibrant research community in the School of Public Health's Division of Health Policy and Management. ResDAC serves as an assistance desk for researchers interested in using Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) administrative data for a broad range of research.

ResDAC is the initial point of contact for any researcher in the public, private and government sectors who is seeking information about accessing and using CMS adminstrative data to study a broad range of topics such as health outcomes, health-related policy, and health economics.

ResDAC offers an opportunity to work independently and as part of a team in a supportive work environment. Staff have the ability to use and continue to develop research and data management skills working with complex data. Professional development and career growth opportunities are available to staff.

Position Summary:

As a Technical Advisor, you will join our team of epidemiologists, public health specialists, health services researchers, biostatisticians, and health information specialists who have primary responsibility for providing advice to researchers across the country who are accessing CMS administrative data. You will be part of a comprehensive training program to learn about CMS Medicare and Medicaid programs as well as the use of CMS administrative data for research purposes.

After completing Medicare and Medicaid training, ResDAC Technical Advisors review research study proposals, assess and project feasibility, and work with researchers nationwide to recommend the most appropriate CMS data files for their research needs. In addition to the comprehensive review of research projects, ResDAC Technical Advisors also staff an Assistance Desk through which they communicate with researchers 1:1 to provide guidance and answer complex questions about the use of CMS data, IRB requirements, project feasibility, and data-related technical questions.

Responsibilities:

• Research and answer complex questions regarding CMS data (20%)
• Conduct an independent and detailed technical review of researchers’ proposals for Medicare and Medicaid data and provide feedback to researchers (20%)
• Provide individual technical consultation and assistance through phone and email communication to researchers nationwide interested in Medicare and Medicaid data for research (20%)
• Act as a researcher liaison and advocate with CMS and other CMS contractors to resolve data related questions on behalf of researchers (20%)
• Use CMS data to help researchers understand the data (10%)
• Develop and facilitate online and in-person training sessions for internal ResDAC staff and faculty, as well as external researchers (5%)
• Create educational materials to assist external researchers and/or ResDAC staff. This may include analyzing data, writing technical documents, and developing and delivering online webinars (5%)