Position Purpose:
The Communications Specialist
functions as part of a data research center that aids users on requesting,
accessing, and understanding healthcare data. This position supports
communication activities related to health data, research support, and customer
engagement, ensuring clear, accurate, and professional messaging for
researchers and stakeholders.
Primary Duties &
Responsibilities:
The Communications Specialist is responsible for planning,
creating, updating, and distributing communications and educational products
for data program participants and internal stakeholders.
Key responsibilities include:
- Develop and
disseminate clear, accurate, and user-friendly communications and
instructional materials that help data program participants understand
program rules, requirements, and processes and successfully meet their
objectives.
- Create and maintain a full
range of communications and educational materials, including tip sheets,
FAQs, newsletters, slide decks, training modules, webinar content,
recordings, and other collateral to support data sharing programs.
- Review, triage, and analyze
participant inquiries, feedback, and program updates to identify recurring
issues, knowledge gaps, and opportunities to improve messaging and
materials.
- Translate technical and
policy information about data requirements into concise, plain-language
guidance tailored to different audience levels (e.g., researchers, data
managers, program staff).
- Maintain and update
web-facing and internal document repositories to ensure materials reflect
current program policy, procedures, and timelines.
- Coordinate with program
managers, subject matter experts, and technical teams to ensure accuracy
and consistency of public-facing information.
- Support the development and
maintenance of communication plans and outreach strategies to increase
participant awareness of program changes, timelines, and available support
resources.
- Provide ad hoc communication
support for related projects and stakeholder engagements as requested.
- Ensure communications comply
with HIPAA and data privacy regulations and research and healthcare
terminology standards.
Minimum Qualifications:
- Bachelor's
degree with 4 years of relevant experience (degree in communications,
public health, health policy, information science, or a related field
preferred)
- Strong communication skills
(writing, editing, and professional communication)
- Highly
organized with attention to detail
Preferred
Qualifications:
- Prior
experience supporting CMS, HHS, or other federal/state health programs,
especially programs involving health data access or research data request
processes.
- Good analytical skills with
the ability to synthesize participant questions, program updates, and
policy changes into actionable communications.
- Familiarity with federal data
privacy/security requirements (e.g., HIPAA basics) and comfort
coordinating with technical experts to ensure compliant messaging.