Lead Clinical Informatics Specialist
1 day ago
Sacramento
Job DescriptionDescription: Lead Clinical Informatics Specialist Job Title: Lead Clinical Informatics Specialist Department: Quality Assurance (QA)/Compliance Reports To: Sr. Director of EHR Clinical Integration FLSA Status: Exempt Location: Work From Home Annual Salary Range: $150,000 – $180,000 Background Check Eligible (Y/N): Y SUMMARY: The Lead Clinical Informatics Specialist (“LCIS”) is an advanced informatics specialist responsible primarily for leading applied clinical informatics initiatives as well as executing research, evaluation, and evidence-based informatics studies. This role provides expert-level guidance, technical mentorship, and scientific oversight related to the design, configuration, optimization, and evaluation of health information systems supporting behavioral health, public health, and government-sector programs. The LCIS applies deep expertise in clinical informatics, behavioral health informatics, public health, and/or psychology with quantitative specialization to ensure health IT systems, including Electronic Health Care (EHR) applications such as SmartCare, Epic, and related platforms, support regulatory compliance, interoperability, and data-driven decision-making. This role bridges science, clinical practice, and technology to inform system design, workflow improvements, and clinical-quality outcomes. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include but are not limited to: • Lead and participate in the analysis, testing, validation, documentation, and deployment of new builds, enhancements and updates to EHR application functionality., • Support interoperability design, evaluate clinical and general EHR workflows to ensure that configurations align with operational needs, regulatory requirements, and clinical best practices., • Translate clinical practice standards, care protocols, research, and documentation requirements into EHR functional specifications and build requirements., • Partner with end users, SMEs, and leadership to design and validate clinical content, decision-support tools, and quality-measurement workflows., • Conduct complex workflow assessments to identify areas for improvement grounded in clinical evidence., • Validate build readiness from a clinical lens before promotion to production., • Develop and maintain documentation, including workflow diagrams, build guides, test scripts, data mapping, and change logs., • Assist in developing and maintaining training materials for clinical and non-clinical users; collaborate with trainers to ensure alignment between build and training environments., • Provide clinical input into training content and design specifically for other healthcare professionals., • Ensure that build, testing, and implementation processes comply with change-management and quality/governance standards., • Provide expert-level troubleshooting support for clinical and technically complex issues., • Participate in development and execution of informatics research studies, including design, literature review, practice/protocol development and data interpretation., • Participate in development of models, metrics, frameworks to assess quality, clinical outcomes, and system usability., • Support data extraction, reporting needs, and preparation of dashboards or analytics elements that rely on application configuration and data availability., • Maintain ongoing communication with leaders regarding system updates, issues, and enhancement opportunities., • Provide high-level technical mentorship to Informatics Specialists, Analysts, and project teams., • Demonstrate compliance with privacy, confidentiality, and security requirements in handling protected health information (PHI). This position will have access to various applications that house confidential information, including county records, employee demographic and private behavioral health information; ensure that access is used responsibly, maintaining the integrity and security of systems while preventing accidental or malicious misuse. QUALIFICATIONS An acceptable equivalent combination of education, experience, and skill will be considered. EDUCATION • Minimum seven (7) years of direct experience supporting EHR systems, clinical informatics, workflow analysis, or related health IT functions, including:, • Experience performing system build, configuration, or application analysis within an EHR environment., • Experience working in behavioral health is required., • Experience in public health, acute care, or community-based care preferred. JOB-SPECIFIC KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS • Ability to analyze and document clinical workflows with attention to regulatory requirements and operational needs., • Proficiency in understanding data structures in EHR systems and mapping them to workflows, reports, and clinical documentation., • Ability to conduct clinical/technical troubleshooting and develop resolutions collaboratively with users and vendors., • Familiarity with EHR configuration, security roles, templates, forms design, interoperability workflows, and documentation tools., • Ability to identify sensitive information and maintain confidentiality with tact and discretion., • Familiarity with SQL, R, Python, or other analytic tools preferred., • Excellent written and verbal communication, including the ability to translate complex technical issues for clinicians, leadership and IT., • Ability to collaborate with cross-functional teams, including clinical, administrative, and technical staff., • Strong initiative and accountability, with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a remote environment., • Ability to assess system issues, identify root causes, and recommend data-driven or workflow-based solutions., • Critical thinking, problem-solving, and a strategic mindset, with the ability to think ahead and initiate proactive solutions., • Commitment to continuous learning, equity, and improvement in behavioral and public health systems., • Curious, tech-savvy, and adaptable, with a growth mindset and enthusiasm for learning., • Detail-oriented and organized, with a strong commitment to code quality and best practices., • Demonstrates initiative, independence, and resourcefulness in completing assignments., • Comfortable working in dynamic settings, including both remote environments. LANGUAGE SKILLS and MATHEMATICAL SKILLS - Demonstrate the ability to read, comprehend, and respond appropriately through written or verbal form; demonstrate tactfulness when communicating including internal communication with staff members of all levels; ability to communicate with a variety of audiences effectively. REASONING – Demonstrate the ability to effectively apply common sense and follow through to daily tasks; demonstrate the ability to work with little or no supervision; demonstrate excellent analytical skills; demonstrate the ability to efficiently conduct research and ask appropriate probing questions to complete necessary tasks. PHYSICAL DEMANDS - The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit and stand; use phone and headset; use hands, arms, fingers to type; answer phones; write; use calculator; demonstrate strength to lift and carry materials weighing up to 10 pounds; demonstrate clear vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; hearing and speech to communicate in person and over the telephone; and drive a motor vehicle on public roads and highways. SENSORY DEMANDS - The incumbent must spend long hours in intense concentration. The incumbent must also spend long hours on the computer entering information which requires attention to detail and high levels of accuracy. MENTAL DEMANDS - There are a number of deadlines associated with this position, which may cause significant pressure. The incumbent must also deal with a wide variety of people on various issues. REGULAR WORK SCHEDULE – May vary depending on business needs; however, CalMHSA standard business hours are 8:00am to 5:00pm, Monday – Friday. Requirements: