Health Data Analysts

Many college students obtain experience in data analytics by participating in internship, co-operative education, and/or volunteer opportunities. Others enter the field in lower-level data analytics positions and gradually obtain enough experience to qualify for a position as an analyst.

A wide range of technical skills and knowledge are needed to be a successful analyst. Important qualifications include experience using data mining and wrangling, statistical analysis, and reporting tools; competence in the Microsoft Office suite of applications (especially Excel); knowledge of relational databases, data warehouses, and data management principles; experience with analytics tools such as Tableau, Metabase, and Mixpanel; familiarity with the use of artificial intelligence (including machine learning) in medical data analytics; and a good understanding of how their particular health care subsector works from a business standpoint. Analysts also need knowledge of medical terminology and procedures, health information technology standards, electronic medical records, quality assessments, and medical billing practices.

Key personal traits for analysts include strong oral and written communication skills (including the ability to explain complex models to technical and non-technical colleagues); top-notch organizational, time-management, problem-solving, and project-management skills; creativity; patience; the ability to multitask; and an analytical and detail-oriented personality.