Senior Health Information Analyst - City of Toronto, Toronto

The opportunity

The Senior Health Information Analyst is responsible for researching and tracking emerging methods and issues related to the use of health information, and recommending appropriate applications to support policy decisions for Health Programs and Services. Reporting to the Supervisor, Epidemiology and Data Analytics Unit, the Senior Health Information Analyst provides expertise and support to programs in Toronto Public Health including advice and support related to the collection, analysis, interpretation and reporting of surveillance data, as well as providing expertise and leadership for quality controls and mechanisms related to public health data.

This position is a key role within the Epidemiology and Data Analytics Unit, providing leadership on quality initiatives, developing and implementing new surveillance products, evaluating existing products, and identifying opportunities to enhance and streamline the work of the team. The ideal candidate will possess strong data analysis, dashboard creation and statistical reporting skills, project management expertise, and be able to work effectively in a dynamic environment where the priorities frequently shift to address current priorities.

Key duties

• Designs, develops, and prepares new health status and operational reports, health information systems, processes, dashboards and databases.
• Designs data collection and survey instruments including coding formats, questionnaire design and data entry and storage.
• Extracts, manages, analyzes, interprets and reports data using appropriate methods to support timely surveillance and reporting for health status data.
• Prepares and disseminates health status information in various forms including reports, charts, graphs, dashboards, maps and community health profiles based on analysis of existing or generated data for internal and external users.
• Provides feedback and makes recommendations specific to future data needs, design and delivery of analytical products, design of information delivery methods, and design of training and knowledge transfer activities.
• Develops, coordinates, and maintains guidelines and procedures related to the data management, analysis, quality control, and dissemination of public health surveillance data and information.
• Writes and executes computer programs for data extraction, dataset creation and analysis using spreadsheets and statistical software packages (e.g., Excel, STATA, Python, SAS, and/or R).
• Applies proven analytical approaches to identify errors or limitations in data and implements processes and to improve data validity.
• Recommends strategies to resolve or mitigate the impact of identified data quality issues.
• Provides on-the-job instruction to staff concerning the input, or preparation for input, of surveillance data.
• Provides support and consultation to divisional programs and services.
• Represents the division on internal and external committees dealing with communicable disease data and health status information.
• Develops, uses, and archives standard syntax files for routine analyses.
• Orients staff to available databases and the use of population health information in programme development, monitoring and evaluation.
• Coordinates the maintenance of existing health information databases including updating datasets and deriving new variables, in consultation with the Manager, and other users.
• Works collaboratively to confirm data requirements and identifies appropriate methods for collecting and analyzing health data for TPH staff, managers, and other internal and external clients.
• Uses project management tools and approaches to monitor the progress of large- and small-scale projects, identifies barriers to meet timelines and project goals, and proposes solutions.
• Responds to requests for public health data and information.
• Liaises with City departments and external agencies to obtain and/or share health related data.
• Adheres to Divisional and other statistical standards for data analysis, mapping and reporting, and complies with the conditions set out in all data licences.

Skills and experience

Your application must describe your qualifications as they relate to:

• University degree in Health Sciences, Public Health, Health Informatics, Biostatistics, or a related discipline.
• Extensive experience using statistical software to analyze large health data sets, including SAS, R, STATA, PYTHON, or equivalent.
• Considerable experience applying population health statistical methods and, in the collection, analysis, communication, and interpretation of public health data.
• Considerable experience using Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Access, as well as data visualization tools such as Tableau. Power BI and ArcGIS.
• Considerable experience using provincial health information systems and creation of reports (e.g., iPHIS, CRN).

You must also have:

• Experience working with communicable diseases preferred.
• Strong customer service, communication, and consulting skills.
• Knowledge of current public health issues related to communicable diseases and public health surveillance, applied research, public health information technology; and quality assurance principles.
• Strong analytical, critical thinking and problem-solving skills, with the ability to assess complex datasets and develop practical recommendations.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate technical and statistical information effectively to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Strong organizational and project management skills with the ability to manage multiple competing priorities and meet deadlines.
• Ability to build collaborative relationships and provide consultative support to diverse stakeholders.
• Strong leadership, initiative and sound judgment in leading analytical projects and advancing continuous improvement initiatives.