What is a Health Policy Analyst?

What is the Role of a Health Policy Analyst?

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Are you looking for a career where you can impact and protect health through improving systems? If so, then perhaps becoming a health policy analyst is the way to go.

Health policy analysts play an important role in shaping policies that affect public health. Health policy analysts lead in the creation, application, and assessment of health policies. In addition to shaping policies, these health professionals can help frame laws that affect community health. The actions made by a health policy analyst reach far and have a wide impact on promoting and protecting health. Let’s take a closer look at what is involved in a career as a health policy analyst. 

If you are seeking a career and important work in an in-demand health field, check out the interesting field of the health policy analyst. These highly educated professionals perform research, report findings, and manage health care policies and programs. Health policies are developed with information that is collected and analyzed by the health policy analyst. Effective health policies minimize the consequences from emergencies and other situations, while poor policies or a lack of policies can greatly amplify the consequences.

What Do Health Policy Analysts Do?

Health policy analysts carry the responsibility to develop patient-centered policies.  These policies aim to provide accessible healthcare to all. Healthcare policy making results from analyzing the most up-to-date research findings. This is followed by using these findings to create solutions to problems in the healthcare industry.

One of the most recent and most widely known examples of health policy change has been in healthcare reform. This reform has lowered the rate of uninsured individuals and families through the Affordable Care Act (ACA).  This lower rate has increased healthcare accessibility. In this area, health policy analysts have assisted in the improvement of healthcare access for uninsured people.  This also helps all those with pre-existing medical conditions.

A health policy analyst may work on presenting their research findings at important meetings.  These meetings are most often with stakeholders. Analysts may also give expert testimony at a hearing, making public speaking an important skill to have. Health policy analysts also need to be prepared for other areas of involvement. These may include things such as developing and writing health policies or writing policy briefs.   Health policy analysts may also find themselves collaborating with local organizations and leaders. They will also work at utilizing databases and managing health information.  It will also be important to determine the financial costs of healthcare use. Some health policy analysts provide health education to the public on changes in healthcare. This is done through writing and publishing newsletters and other documents to aid in public education. They may distribute program and policy information to certain organizations.  Distribution to the public is also important.

A health policy analyst can be found analyzing gathered statistics. Health policy analysts will also write reports to communicate statistics in a meaningful way. They develop health policies based on analysis of data collected. Managing health information databases is also part of the role of a health policy analyst.  This would include the maintenance and continued updating of the databases. Health policy analysts also design, implement, and continuously track health programs.

Other roles of the health policy analyst may include some managerial duties.  These duties include managing healthcare policies and programs. Some in this role may be called a health promotion officer, health services researcher, or healthcare planner.

The health policy analyst assesses current and future health policies. After assessing them, they aim to understand how these policies can affect public health in the community now.  They also work to discover how they may affect future health outcomes.

What Skills and Responsibilities Does a Health Policy Analyst Typically Possess?

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To be successful as a health policy analyst, it is important to have skills in data gathering and data analysis.  It is also important to be able to think critically, as well as to be able to communicate effectively.

Evaluating current health policies is one of the primary responsibilities of a health policy analyst. They will also need to develop changes that promise to improve patient outcomes and access to needed health services. Healthcare policy analysts use their skills to build conceptual models utilizing research data. Healthcare policy analysts work to compile important and useful data. This data can be found in research literature, surveys, polls, and interviews from experts. They will also use current census data to help develop new healthcare policies. The goal is for these policies to make a positive impact in the health of individuals and communities.

Health policy analysts also know about current political situations. They then use this information to help determine the possible benefits and costs of potential changes in health policies. Healthcare policy analysts often meet with government officials. Together they work on budgets, analyze proposals, and assess if policy targets have been met. These professionals also work to raise public understanding and awareness of health policies. They also track the possible public health ramifications of current events. Healthcare policy analysts report a wide range of information.  These are usually presented in written reports or presentations.

A successful health policy analyst should be skilled in critical thinking.  Critical thinking involves analyzing complex information and then drawing accurate and useful conclusions. A skillful healthcare policy analyst has both the qualitative and quantitative analytical abilities necessary to succeed at their job.  They must be able to look at current policies and determine how efficient and effective they are.

Being skilled in written and oral communication is a must for health policy analysts. With these skills, they are able to present recommendations to health policies in a clear and meaningful way. Their excellent communication skills enable health policy analysts to share important findings to stakeholders.  These stakeholders may include policymakers, leaders in the community, and concerned citizens.

The health policy analyst communicates their findings and proposals through various means.  These include presentations, written articles, interviews with media outlets, and public events. They effectively use spreadsheets and other tools to create visually organized data.

Health policy analysts keep up to date with topics in the political realm that have an effect on healthcare. They use their reasoning, decision-making, and problem-solving skills to understand health problems.  They then use these same skills to form solutions to solve those problems.

Data analysis is a critical skill in this profession. Health policy analysts have the skills and knowledge necessary to collect and interpret data in a meaningful way. They may also get important data through use of surveys and by doing original research.

The healthcare policy analyst reviews research, drawing useful conclusions from it. They use the information gained to develop and present an idea in relationship to health policies. They may also partner with other organizations or governments to gather information and share findings. These analysts are skilled in evaluating, interpreting, and organizing information that helps form policies.  They also predict the impact of policies that may occur in the short or long term in relation to health.

Healthcare policy analysts can also be expected to do budget analysis and raise funds. Setting policies not only includes understanding the problems, but also being skilled in assessing ways to solve them. Budgetary obstacles may be an issue when constructing and implementing a new healthcare policy. Analysts draw evidence about the justification of spending to put a policy in place. They also make recommendations on how to fund a program and help in the funding drive needed to either begin or continue a program.

Where Do Health Policy Analysts Work?

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Health policy analysts  work in a variety of settings. These settings include government, nonprofit organizations, and professional organizations. They may also include political action groups, think tanks, and citizen groups within a community. These professionals may also work in higher education, research laboratories, and hospitals. In each workplace, the healthcare policy analyst works to develop health policies.  This is done by analyzing collected data. If working with a policy team, the health policy analyst may work with economists, leaders in healthcare, or partners within the community. They may also work with other experts to develop policies that will meet the health needs of the organization or community.

Government is the largest employer of health policy analysts. Opportunities for employment can be found in many governments organizations.  These include positions in local, state, regional, and federal government health organizations. Examples of government agencies that may hire health policy analysts include the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Health policy analysts use their research and statistical analysis skills to test the health effects of legislative changes in the healthcare system of the United States.

Healthcare policy analysts also find meaningful work options in non-profit organizations and corporations. They may also work in trade associations or community health clinics.  They may also find employment in public and private hospitals, and lobbying organizations. Wherever a health policy analyst works, they work to form and install important policy decisions.

How Can I Become a Health Policy Analyst?

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A bachelor’s degree may be enough for an entry-level job in some areas. It is worth noting that usually, either a master’s or doctorate degree are needed for those wishing to advance in this field. Some health policy analysts earn degrees in many specialty areas.

Most jobs in healthcare policy analysis require a master’s degree for candidates to be qualified to apply and be considered. So, what is the road that will get you there? Becoming a health policy analyst requires a serious investment of time, money, and effort.  Because of this, it pays to learn how others in this profession went about getting there.

Many health policy analysts start by getting their undergraduate degree in a related field. These may include pre-law, public policy, economics, communications, health science, or political science. Following this milestone, aspiring healthcare policy analysts attend an accredited graduate school to earn their next degree. Examples of this next step are: a Master of Public Health (MPH), Master of Health Administration (MHA), Master of Public Administration (MPA), or a Master of Public Policy (MPP).

Some attend law school for a Juris Doctor (JD) or earn a Ph.D. in Health Policy, which may serve as important keys to unlock future possibilities.

It isn’t enough to merely gain education credentials.  It is also important to grow a resume with experience in healthcare policy or public policy. Aspiring health policy analysts can develop their resume through a variety of ways.  This can be done through internships, fellowships, and even consulting projects. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) offers the Student Academic Internship Program (SAIP) in Washington, D.C. . Other internships are available around the country through other organizations, as well. It is important to combine a solid educational background with entry-level experience of some kind. This will lead job applicants to solid employment possibilities in this important field.

There is currently no licensing to become a health policy analyst.  However, education and added professional credentialing can help make your resume stand out. For example, the American Health Information Information Management Association (AHIMA) offers certification designation as a Certified Health Data Analyst (CHDA). To earn this certificate, you must pass a 3.5-hour examination with 150 multiple-choice questions.

There are some courses that would be considered important, no matter what education program you are in. These would include health economics, health policy and management, and public health law and ethics.

How Much Money Can a Health Policy Analyst Expect to Make?

As with many jobs and professions, salary depends on many things.  These factors include geographical location, education, experience, and type of employer. Although the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS.gov) doesn’t list the salaries specific to a health policy analyst, healthcare policy analysts are listed under general political science.  This lists a median yearly salary of $125,350 as of May 2020 (50% make more, 50% make less than this amount). According to Payscale, the average yearly wage for a health policy analyst is $64,022. Glassdoor states that the average salary for a public health policy analyst is $66,962. Health policy and management is a field that extends through the industries of government, healthcare, and beyond.  Because of this,  salaries may vary greatly as well.

What is the Employment Outlook for a Health Policy Analyst?

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With a constant focus on improving healthcare in a financially responsible way, one would think this to be a growing field. Yet, the constant restraint of tightening budgets seems to adversely affect job growth in this field. Policy analysts are and will remain relevant to help agencies improve their policies, but the job growth is not robust. Those who are a part of this important profession will improve the function of the healthcare system. Sharpening your skills and political understanding of healthcare policy will enhance the healthcare infrastructure.   It will also improve patient outcomes.

By Carol Dolan BS RN BSN CDCES

December 2021

Carol graduated with her BS in Nutrition from Montclair State University and her BSN in Nursing from Rowan University. She is a Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist (CDCES) currently working with adults and children living with diabetes in both outpatient and inpatient settings.

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This concludes our article on what is a health policy analyst.