Research Data Analyst Associate

Department: MED-Psych & Behavioral Science
Salary/Grade: EXS/6

Job Summary:

Works in collaboration with, and as an advisor to, the Therapeutic Residential Performance Management Initiative (TRPMI) team (Team Coordinator, Manager, Clinical Specialists, and Monitors) to support implementation of best practices to improve Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) therapeutic residential services and operations (TRSO). Key job responsibilities include focusing on quality data capture, assessment, evaluation, and reporting activities to characterize residential treatment processes and outcomes. Uses quantitative and qualitative datasets from a variety of sources and interprets results using various techniques, ranging from simple data aggregation via statistical analysis to complex data mining. Assists in the design, development and implementation of business solutions partnering with clients to identify analytical requirements. Compiles reports, charts, and tables based on established statistical methods. Collects, integrates, and disseminates quantitative and qualitative data about TRSO - their execution, efficiency, and efficacy. Supports implementation science techniques initiated by TRPMI to improve TRSO.

Specific Responsibilities:

Strategic Planning

• Partners with clients to define requirements based on business objectives.
• Collaborate/coordinate with DCFS and Therapeutic Residential Providers' QI and QI management staff to facilitate information exchange.
• Coordinate/collaborate with other TRPMI QI Specialists to share best practices and pitfalls.
• Coordinates with NU team members on collaborations with DCFS/TRPMI data initiatives, projects, priorities, and requirements.

Administration

• Develop standardized templates, policies, and procedures for internal and external reporting.
• Designs and prepares documentation for qualitative and quantitative data analysis.
• Maintain a record of TRSO CQI and Quality Improvement Plans' status, progress, and schedule compliance.
• Generate and interpret data reports to convey the level and trend of TRSO quality improvement initiatives.
• Provides verbal and written feedback on TRSO QI activities via written data reports and written feedback

Development

• Completes a variety of statistical analyses using appropriate data and software
• Merges data from multiple sources in preparation for analysis.
• Performs data exploration, analysis, and visualization activities - work with standard data tools to explore data sets and extract salient information, perform basic data analysis to expose key trends and issues, create data visualizations to support and illustrate such trends or issues to stakeholders.
• Interprets results of analyses for use in reports and presentations
• Incorporate existing DCFS reporting resources (e.g., residential performance management metrics) to inform and direct TRSO quality improvement initiatives.
• Provide technical assistance and training to Residential Providers' CQI/QI management staff to improve their data collection and reporting processes, enhancing accuracy, completeness, timeliness, and consistency.
• Incorporate CQI best practices into residential providers' CQI initiatives
• Supports CQI planning and execution activities, providing data-informed observations and recommendations.

Performance

• Completes data cleaning and organizes data files for analysis.
• Reviews data and Identifies quality issues
• Analyze TRSO data to determine potential issues or effective practices and advise TRPMI members of these items.
• Interview youth and residential staff as indicated.
• Support TRPMI Data Team on any new data initiatives.

Miscellaneous

Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor's or higher degree; OR appropriate combination of education and experience.

Infrastructure

• Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Powerpoint, Access, Microsoft Power BI, Outlook)
• Microsoft SharePoint

Minimum Competencies: (Skills, knowledge, and abilities.)

• Demonstrate verbal, written, presentation, and training skills.
• Experience with Microsoft software tools and environments.
• Experience with data manipulation & analysis tools - Microsoft Excel
• Basic knowledge of Illinois DCFS operations and IT systems.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree in Social Work or a related field. Experience in child welfare could be considered in lieu of a degree in the social service field.
• Experience with information systems used in health or human services.
• Experience with data manipulation & analysis tools (e.g., Power BI)
• Familiar with basic statistics and data analysis tools and concepts.
• Experience in a quality assurance related position.
• Previous experience with child welfare operations and QI methods and model.
• Knowledge of state/federal child welfare data sources and requirements.

Preferred Competencies: (Skills, knowledge, and abilities)

• Demonstrated ability to perform data manipulation, transformation, and analysis.
• Ability to maintain good working relationships with a variety of stakeholders.
• Ability to operate within various applications and data systems, analyzing data to develop actionable information, recommendations, and support for our TRPMI/DCFS clients in their mission to care for youth and families in need.
• Working knowledge of implementation science and it use as a tool to influence and evaluate effective practice within TRSO.

Target hiring range for this position will be between $56,782 - 79,850 per year. Offered salary will be determined by the applicant's education, experience, knowledge, skills and abilities, as well as internal equity and alignment with market data.

Benefits:
At Northwestern, we are proud to provide meaningful, competitive, high-quality health care plans, retirement benefits, tuition discounts and more! Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/index.html to learn more.

Work-Life and Wellness:
Northwestern offers comprehensive programs and services to help you and your family navigate life's challenges and opportunities, and adopt and maintain healthy lifestyles.
We support flexible work arrangements where possible and programs to help you locate and pay for quality, affordable childcare and senior/adult care. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/work-life/index.html to learn more.

Professional Growth & Development:
Northwestern supports employee career development in all circumstances whether your workspace is on campus or at home. If you're interested in developing your professional potential or continuing your formal education, we offer a variety of tools and resources. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/learning/index.html to learn more.

Northwestern strongly recommends COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters for people who can obtain them as a critical tool for minimizing severe illness. More information can be found on the COVID-19 and Campus Updates webpage.

The Northwestern campus sits on the traditional homelands of the people of the Council of Three Fires, the Ojibwe, Potawatomi, and Odawa as well as the Menominee, Miami and Ho-Chunk nations. We acknowledge and honor the original people of the land upon which Northwestern University stands, and the Native people who remain on this land today.

Northwestern University is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action Employer of all protected classes, including veterans and individuals with disabilities. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, individuals with disabilities, and veterans are encouraged to apply. Click for information on EEO is the Law.

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