About this role
Lead Data Scientist to support VA health data analytics by directing AI/ML initiatives, NLP, and data integration across VA data sources. Responsibilities include building explainable models, ensuring governance and security, and communicating insights to executive stakeholders.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead AI/ML initiatives
- Design/validate ML models and NLP pipelines
- Integrate VA clinical systems into analytical pipelines
- Validate data migration fidelity for VistA-to-Cerner
- Create data visualizations for stakeholders
Technical Overview
Stack includes Python/R, ML frameworks (TensorFlow, PyTorch, scikit-learn), NLP, HL7 FHIR, SNOMED CT, LOINC, VistA/CPRS, Oracle Health Cerner Millennium; visualization with Power BI/Tableau; regulatory compliance with HIPAA, FISMA; Agile PI Planning.
Ideal Candidate
The ideal candidate is an experienced Lead Data Scientist with 15+ years in healthcare/federal IT analytics, deep ML/NLP expertise, and a track record of delivering health data insights across heterogeneous VA data sources. The candidate should be able to lead cross-functional teams, ensure regulatory compliance, and translate complex clinical data into actionable program decisions.
Must-Have Skills
Master's degree in Data ScienceComputer ScienceHealth InformaticsStatisticsor a closely related quantitative discipline15 years of professional data science / advanced analytics experience5 years of ML in healthcare or federal health ITExpert-level proficiency in Python and/or R with demonstrated experience using ML frameworks including TensorFlowPyTorchor scikit-learnStrong working knowledge of HL7 FHIR interoperability standards and clinical terminology systems including SNOMED CT and LOINCExperience integrating with clinical informatics systems including VA VistA/CPRS and/or Oracle Health Cerner MillenniumProficiency with data visualization tools including Power BI and/or TableauDemonstrated experience in Agile environments supporting PI Planning analyticsbacklog metricsand velocity reportingU.S. citizenship required; must be eligible for VA Suitability determination and PIV credentialing
Nice-to-Have Skills
Ph.D. in Data ScienceMachine LearningHealth Informaticsor a closely related quantitative disciplineCertified Health Data Analyst (CHDA) from AHIMA or equivalent healthcare data science credentialSAFe Practitioner or Certified Scrum Master (CSM) certificationHealthcare data science or AI-specific certifications (e.g.AWS Certified Machine Learning - SpecialtyGoogle Professional Data Engineeror equivalent)Direct experience working with VA data environments including VINCIVA CDWor the VA National Artificial Intelligence Institute (NAII) research programsPrior publication or presentation of AI/ML research in peer-reviewed clinical informatics or biomedical informatics venues (e.g.JAMIAAMIA Annual Symposium)Experience with VA's responsible AI governance framework or participation in VA's AI Tech Sprint or similar federal AI innovation programsExperience developing NLP annotation pipelines using UMLS Metathesaurus or SNOMED CT-based concept recognition systems
Tools & Platforms
PythonRTensorFlowPyTorchscikit-learnPower BITableauHL7 FHIR APIsVA VistA/CPRSOracle Health Cerner Millennium
Required Skills
Master's degree15 years experience5 years ML in healthcarePythonRTensorFlowPyTorchscikit-learnHL7 FHIRSNOMED CTLOINCVistA/CPRSOracle Health Cerner MillenniumPower BITableauNLPmachine learningpredictive analyticsAgilePI PlanningSAFeHIPAAFISMAVA data governancePHIPIIVA CDW
Hard Skills
PythonRTensorFlowPyTorchscikit-learnPower BITableauHL7 FHIRFHIR APIsVistA/CPRSOracle Health Cerner MillenniumSNOMED CTLOINCNLPMachine LearningPredictive AnalyticsHIPAAFISMAVA Handbook 6500Data GovernancePHIPIIVA CDW
Soft Skills
leadershipcommunicationstakeholder engagementcollaborationproblem-solvingcritical thinkingattention to detailAgileteamwork
Certifications
Preferred
AWS Certified Machine Learning - SpecialtyGoogle Professional Data EngineerCertified Health Data Analyst (CHDA) from AHIMA
Keywords for Your Resume
lead data scientistdata scientisthealthcare datahl7 fhirsnomed ctloincpythonrtensorflowpytorchscikit-learnpower bitableauvistA/CPRSoracle health cerner millenniumva cdwnlpmachine learningpredictive analyticsagilepi planningsaFehipaafismadata governancePythonRTensorFlowPyTorchHL7 FHIRSNOMED CTLOINCVistA/CPRSOracle Health Cerner Millennium
Deal Breakers
U.S. citizenship required, Master's degree required, 15+ years experience in data science / analytics, Experience in healthcare or federal health IT environments
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