State of Maryland

A Health Policy Analyst Advanced is the advanced level of work evaluating, analyzing, researching and developing health care services, policies and programs.  Employees in this classification are responsible for initiating, planning, designing and executing projects in public health policy analysis and for the validity and reliability of findings, interpretations, conclusions, recommendations and final reports.  Employees in this classification may provide technical advice and guidance to lower-level Health Policy Analysts.

Employees in this classification receive general supervision from the Secretary or Deputy Secretary, a Program Director or from the Executive Director, Associate Director or Principal Chief in a Health Commission.

Positions in this classification are evaluated by using the classification job evaluation methodology.  The use of this method involves comparing the assigned duties and responsibilities of a position to the job criteria found in the Nature of Work and Examples of Work sections of the class specification.

The Health Policy Analyst Advanced is differentiated from the Health Policy Analyst II in that the Health Policy Analyst Advanced serves as expert consultant and technical advisor on strategic health policy, delivery, evaluation and financing issues to the Secretary, Deputy Secretary, Program Directors,  Executive Directors, Associate Directors or Principal Chief in a Health Commission and may provide advice and guidance to lower-level Health Policy Analysts while the Health Policy Analyst II performs the full range of duties and responsibilities evaluating, analyzing, researching and developing health care services, policies and programs under general supervision.

Serves as an expert consultant on technical and strategic health policy, delivery, evaluation and financing issues to the Department's executives, senior managers and members of State Boards and Commissions;

Ascertains the technical validity and accuracy of methodologies for forecasting future health program services, demand for certain health care services and cost and efficacy of such services, and presents final recommendations to the department's executives, senior managers and State Boards and Commissions concerning the most reliable means for obtaining, evaluating and presenting data;

Develops and presents recommendations concerning alternative approaches to delivering, financing and evaluating health services to the department's executives, senior managers and members of State Boards and Commissions;

Prepares expert level testimony for the department's executives and senior managers on highly technical aspects of strategic health policy and health regulatory issues;

Acts as the sole author, or serves as team leader to other Health Policy Analysts in preparing reports summarizing the results of health care research, studies, analyses and evaluations;

Proposes, designs, plans and directs the development and implementation of new health care programs and policies;

Analyzes specialized areas of health care data from both a quantitative and qualitative perspective to support strategic policy and program development;

Designs, directs and conducts analysis and evaluation research in relation to factors affecting the use, delivery, quality and cost of specific health services and programs;

Presents expert testimony at private sector and public sector meetings and hearings on health policy and regulatory issues;

May provide advice and guidance to lower-level Health Policy Analysts;

Performs other related duties. 

Knowledge of the principles of health care policy;

Knowledge of health care administration and management practices;

Skill in qualitative and quantitative analysis;

Skill in organizing and presenting testimony;

Skill in analyzing and interpreting health care reports;

Skill in using computerized applications and software;

Skill in documenting and defending health care policy proposals;

Skill in using various methods in analyzing health care issues and developing appropriate recommendations;

Skill in comprehending technical documents;

Skill in testifying at public hearings;

Ability to communicate effectively;

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with State, federal and private industry health care officials, employees and the general public.

Education:   A Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university.

Experience: Three years of experience evaluating, analyzing, researching and developing health care services, policies and programs.

Notes:

1. Candidates may substitute the possession of a Master's degree in Health Sciences, Health Care Administration, Public Health, Public Policy or closely related field for one year of the required experience.

2. Candidates may substitute the possession of a Doctorate degree in Health Sciences, Health Care Administration, Public Health, Public Policy or closely related field for two years of the required experience.

Class specifications are broad descriptions covering groups of positions used by various State departments and agencies. Position descriptions maintained by the using department or agency specifically address the essential functions of each position.

This is a Skilled Service classification in the State Personnel Management System.  All positions in this classification are Skilled Service positions. Some positions in Skilled Service classifications may be designated Special Appointment in accordance with the State Personnel and Pensions Article, Section 6-405, Annotated Code of Maryland.

This classification is assigned to Bargaining Unit E- Health Care Professionals classes. As provided by State Personnel and Pensions Article, Section 3-102, special appointment, temporary, contractual, supervisory, managerial and confidential employees are excluded from collective bargaining. Additionally, certain executive branch agencies are exempt from collective bargaining and all positions in those agencies are excluded from collective bargaining.