Junior Research Analyst (MCAH)

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health’s (DPH) Perinatal Innovation Unit (PIU) administers the African American Infant and Maternal Mortality Prevention Initiative (AAIMM) Doula Program and the DPSS Doula Program, which provide culturally responsive, community-based doula services to pregnant and postpartum individuals at increased risk for adverse birth outcomes. These programs connect clients with trained doulas who provide prenatal, labor and delivery, and postpartum education, support, advocacy, and resource navigation to improve maternal and infant health outcomes, reduce stress, and promote positive birth experiences.

The AAIMM Doula Program is funded through the California Home Visiting Program (CHVP) and pairs Black pregnant individuals with culturally congruent doulas to address racial inequities in maternal and infant health outcomes. The DPSS Doula Program is funded through an expansion of the Maternal, Child, and Adolescent Health (MCAH) Home Visiting Program and provides doula services to eligible CalWORKs participants enrolled in a participating home visiting program. Through these complementary programs, doulas work closely with families, healthcare providers, home visitors, and community partners to promote informed decision-making, enhance access to services, and support healthy pregnancies, births, and postpartum recovery.

The program is funded through June 30, 2027, with the possibility of extension.

This position will need to report to the following LA County DPH worksite as needed:

750 N. Alameda St. Los Angeles, CA 90012

Employment is provided by Heluna Health.

The pay rate for this position is $30.47 per hour.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Manage client-level program data by reviewing data entry for quality assurance, maintaining case management systems, performing routine data cleaning, formatting, quality assurance, and ensuring regular backup of program data in designated systems.
• Support program invoicing by generating and monitoring the accuracy of doula activity logs.[Client data forms, and other program documentation; communicate with doulas regarding missing or inaccurate information and provide guidance to ensure compliance with reporting requirements.]
• Support program evaluation activities by importing data sources, cleaning data, and stacking/merging data sets utilizing SAS. Assist in preparing summary reports, and monitoring participant outcomes related to maternal and infant health services.
• Assist with data management issues and assurance, and reporting activities by maintaining program datasets and SAS programs, running routine reports, identifying data quality issues, and providing feedback to program staff to support continuous quality improvement.
• Assist in the preparation and maintenance of program reports, dashboards, presentations, and data visualizations, including the analysis of program-specific metrics and state vital statistics to support program planning, monitoring, and grant reporting.
• Support research and evaluation activities by assisting with Institutional Review Board (IRB) applications, renewals, documentation, reporting requirements, and other activities related to program evaluation and human subjects’ research.
• Maintain and monitor program information systems, including Medi-Cal participant tracking databases and other electronic data management platforms, ensuring data integrity, confidentiality, and compliance with program requirements.
• Provide support to designated staff managing program email accounts and responding to inquiries from doulas, staff, and partners regarding data collection, reporting requirements, and program documentation.
• Participate in required team meetings, training, quality improvement initiatives, and collaborative planning activities to support implementation of the CHVP and DPSS Doula Programs.
• Perform other related duties as assigned in support of program operations, research, evaluation, and continuous quality improvement.

NON-ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Other duties as assigned.

JOB QUALIFICATIONS

• Knowledge of public health principles, maternal and child health, perinatal health, health equity, and the social determinants of health.
• Experience collecting, entering, managing, and validating quantitative and qualitative data with a high degree of accuracy and attention to detail.
• Knowledge of data management, quality assurance, and basic research and evaluation methods, including data cleaning, reporting, and performance monitoring.
• Ability to analyze, interpret, and summarize program data and present findings through reports, dashboards, presentations, and other communication tools.
• Experience using Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and Outlook; experience with databases, data management systems, REDCap, or statistical software is desirable.
• Excellent organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple assignments, prioritize competing deadlines, and maintain accurate records.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to communicate effectively with program staff, doulas, healthcare providers, and community partners.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive client information in accordance with applicable privacy and data security requirements.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively as part of a multidisciplinary team in a fast-paced public health environment.
• Demonstrated commitment to racial equity, birth equity, culturally responsive practices, and improving maternal and infant health outcomes.
• Maintain compliance with Health Officer Orders for Health Care Workers as a condition of employment. Such orders may include future requirements for up-to-date vaccinations and/or mask wearing.

DRIVING REQUIREMENTS

• Occasional travel throughout Los Angeles County may be required to attend team meetings, trainings, program events, stakeholder meetings, or outreach activities.
• Must possess a valid California Driver License or have the ability to arrange reliable transportation to attend required in-person work activities.
• Travel is expected to be infrequent and may include attendance at periodic program events, conferences, or community outreach activities, generally no more than a few times per year.

Desired Qualifications

• Master’s degree from an accredited college or university in Public Health, Epidemiology, Biostatistics, Health Sciences, Statistics, or a related field.
• One or more years of experience supporting public health, research, evaluation, or data management activities.
• Experience working with maternal and child health, home visiting, doula, or other community-based public health programs.
• Familiarity with Institutional Review Board (IRB) processes, research compliance, and human subjects’ protections.
• Experience creating dashboards, data visualizations, and reports using Excel, Power BI, Tableau, or similar reporting tools.
• Experience managing large or complicated data sets utilizing statistical analytics software (SAS, Stata, R, M-Plus)

Certificates/Licenses/Clearances

• A valid California driver’s license, proof of vehicle insurance, and reliable transportation or the ability to utilize an alternative method of transportation when needed to carry out job-related essential functions.
• Successful clearance of a LA County Live Scan (DOJ) background check required.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Stand: Frequently

Walk: Frequently

Sit: Frequently

Handling / Fingering: Frequently

Reach Outward: Occasionally

Reach Above Shoulder: Occasionally

Climb, Crawl, Kneel, Bend: Constantly

Lift / Carry: Occasionally - Up to 25 lbs

Push/Pull: Occasionally - Up to 25 lbs

See: Constantly

Taste/ Smell: Not Applicable

 

Not Applicable = Not required for essential functions

Occasionally = (0 - 2 hrs/day)

Frequently = (2 - 5 hrs/day)

Constantly = (5+ hrs/day)

 

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The Junior Research Analyst works in a collaborative, hybrid public health environment that supports the evaluation and continuous quality improvement of the CHVP and DPSS Doula Programs. The position is primarily office- and computer-based, with responsibilities that include data entry oversight, data management, analysis, report preparation, and communication with program staff, doulas, and community partners.

Work is performed independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team, requiring strong attention to detail, organization, and the ability to manage multiple priorities while maintaining data accuracy and confidentiality. The position requires prolonged periods of sitting and computer use. Occasional in-person attendance at team meetings, trainings, and program events throughout Los Angeles County may be required.

APPLICATION PROCEDURES

Interested candidates should submit a resume and cover letter for consideration.

EEOC STATEMENT

It is the policy of Heluna Health to provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants, without regard to age (40 and over), national origin or ancestry, race, color, religion, sex, gender, sexual orientation, pregnancy or perceived pregnancy, reproductive health decision making, physical or mental disability, medical condition (including cancer or a record or history of cancer), AIDS or HIV, genetic information or characteristics, veteran status or military service.