The Data Scientist for the Houston Methodist-Rice Digital Health Institute (DHI) will play a key role in the research and development of advanced digital health solutions. Working closely with interdisciplinary teams of clinicians, engineers, and researchers, the Data Scientist will apply data science techniques to healthcare datasets to drive innovations in bio-signal processing, risk prediction, precision medicine, computational biology, and more. The ideal candidate will have deep experience in healthcare data, including EMR, bio-signals, imaging, or computational biology, and be adept at translating complex data into actionable insights to improve patient outcomes.

The Data Scientist will contribute to the development of scalable solutions and help build the foundation for predictive analytics, machine learning models, and data-driven healthcare innovations. This position will collaborate with both Houston Methodist and Rice University teams, facilitating the translation of data science research into practical clinical applications.

PATIENT AGE GROUP(S) AND POPULATION(S) SERVED
Refer to departmental "Scope of Service" and "Provision of Care" plans, as applicable, for description of primary age groups and populations served by this job for the respective HM entity.

HOUSTON METHODIST EXPERIENCE EXPECTATIONS

• Provide personalized care and service by consistently demonstrating our I CARE values:
  • INTEGRITY: We are honest and ethical in all we say and do.
  • COMPASSION: We embrace the whole person including emotional, ethical, physical, and spiritual needs.
  • ACCOUNTABILITY: We hold ourselves accountable for all our actions.
  • RESPECT: We treat every individual as a person of worth, dignity, and value.
  • EXCELLENCE: We strive to be the best at what we do and a model for others to emulate.

• Practices the Caring and Serving Model

• Delivers personalized service using HM Service Standards

• Provides for exceptional patient/customer experiences by following our Standards of Practice of always using Positive Language (AIDET, Managing Up, Key Words)

• Intentionally collaborates with other healthcare professionals involved in patients/customers or employees' experiential journeys to ensure strong communication, ease of access to information, and a seamless experience.

• Involves patients (customers) in shift/handoff reports by enabling their participation in their plan of care as applicable to the given job

• Displays cultural humility, diversity, equity and inclusion principles

• Actively supports the organization's vision, fulfills the mission and abides by the I CARE values

PEOPLE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Maintains client relationships as assigned and leads the delivery of innovative strategies and solutions.

• Partners in collaboration with leadership of the service lines/specialty areas to promote staff accountability and effective decision-making.

• Initiates contributions towards improvement of department scores for employee engagement, i.e., peer-to-peer accountability.

SERVICE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Analyzes health care data using basic and intermediate statistical methodologies; interprets results for investigators and prepares reports.

• Drives data analytical insight across the organization. Presents project progress and results to key stakeholders.

• Identifies data elements within the clinical/health/research databases for analytics and decision support.

• Maintains database results by setting and enforcing standards and controls. Revises data entry screens and data checks; reviews and resolves data discrepancies.

• Translates finding into implementable informatic solutions with the clinicians, hospital and research administration or other key stakeholders.

QUALITY/SAFETY ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Maintains accuracy and timeliness of data input into reports and decisions.

• Identifies and corrects flaws in interpretation of results, inconsistency in presentation or inference.

FINANCE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Uses department resources/equipment/supplies properly and efficiently.

• Manages the continuous improvement of clinical, research, and operational data and analytics.

GROWTH/INNOVATION ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Collaborates closely with physicians, care givers, hospital staff, administrators, and other stakeholders to implement projects of clinical and business benefits.

• Consults with hospital and research staff regarding process improvement, delivery of best outcomes, decision supports, data insights, and recommendations.

• Seeks opportunities to identify self-development needs and takes appropriate action participating in in-service programs and continuing education. Ensures own career discussions occur with appropriate management. Completes and updates the My Development Plan on an on-going basis.

This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive; the employee will also perform other reasonably related business/job duties as assigned. Houston Methodist reserves the right to revise job duties and responsibilities as the need arises.

EDUCATION

• Master's degree in computer science, Clinical Informatics, Public Health Administration, Business Administration, or Engineering, or an MD with experience in Computing, Informatics, and Statistics or related field

WORK EXPERIENCE

• Two years' experience in health care data analytics and/or database management in a healthcare organization

• Experience in clinical, research, and or healthcare administration

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS - REQUIRED

• N/A

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Demonstrates the skills and competencies necessary to safely perform the assigned job, determined through on-going skills, competency assessments, and performance evaluations

• Sufficient proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing the English language necessary to perform the essential functions of this job, especially with regard to activities impacting patient or employee safety or security

• Ability to effectively communicate with patients, physicians, family members and co-workers in a manner consistent with a customer service focus and application of positive language principles

• Skilled in statistical, database, and algorithm modeling preferred

• Skilled with implementing and managing Health IT software, prototyping and applications

• Knowledge of process mapping and analytics

• Knowledge of clinical/health data integration in a health care IT environment

• Ability to perform exploratory data analysis

• Ability to communicate complicated, technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders

SUPPLEMENTAL REQUIREMENTS

WORK ATTIRE

• Uniform No
• Scrubs No
• Business professional Yes
• Other (department approved) No

ON-CALL*
*Note that employees may be required to be on-call during emergencies (ie. DIsaster, Severe Weather Events, etc) regardless of selection below.

• On Call* No

TRAVEL**
**Travel specifications may vary by department**

• May require travel within the Houston Metropolitan area No
• May require travel outside Houston Metropolitan area No

Houston Methodist Research Institute was formed in 2004 to rapidly and efficiently translate discoveries made in the laboratory and the clinic into new diagnostics, therapies, and treatments. The research institute was created to provide the infrastructure and support for these endeavors, and to house the technology and resources needed to make innovative breakthroughs in important areas of human disease. A 540,000 square foot building dedicated to research, the research institute houses over 1,500 staff and trainees, 284 principal investigators and has more than 570 ongoing clinical trials.