Decision Support Analyst

Job Description

Job Description

POSITION SUMMARY :

The Decision Support Analyst provides analytical, financial, and operational support to leadership in a Critical Access Hospital and rural healthcare system environment. This role focuses on transforming complex data into actionable insights that support strategic planning, financial stewardship, workforce productivity, and performance improvement. The analyst collaborates closely with Finance, Clinical Leadership, Human Resources, Quality, and Operations to support data-driven decision-making while recognizing the unique challenges and resource constraints of rural healthcare.

JOB RELATIONSHIPS :

1. Directly responsible to Controller
2. Works closely with CFO, hospital leadership team, payroll and accounting office

Works in the general hospital setting. May be exposed to blood, body fluids, or tissues as well as patients in varying stages of infectious states.

Samples of Duties:

The information listed below is meant to serve as samples of job duties and responsibilities for positions in this classification. This list is neither inclusive nor exclusive, but indicative of several types of duties performed.

Decision Support, Reporting & Analytics

• Develop, maintain, and analyze recurring and ad-hoc financial, operational, and clinical reports and dashboards
• Monitor and analyze key performance indicators (KPIs) related to volume, revenue, expenses, productivity, quality, and access
• Support budget development, forecasting, and variance analysis for departments and service lines
• Identify trends, risks, and opportunities and clearly communicate findings to leadership

FTE Productivity & Benchmarking

• Analyze staffing, worked hours, paid hours, and FTE productivity by department and cost center
• Monitor labor metrics including hours per unit of service, worked FTEs, paid FTEs, overtime, premium pay, and contract labor
• Support department leaders with productivity management and staffing optimization
• Perform benchmarking analysis using external healthcare benchmarks (e.g., CAH, rural hospital, or peer-group comparisons)
• Assist in developing productivity standards and targets appropriate for a Critical Access Hospital setting

Financial & Operational Analysis

• Analyze cost, charge, reimbursement, and margin data by department, provider, and service line
• Support cost-per-case, cost-per-visit, and contribution margin analyses
• Assist with payer mix analysis, reimbursement modeling, and financial impact assessments
• Support development of business cases, pro-formas, and return-on-investment (ROI) analyses for new or expanded services

Data Integrity & Systems

• Ensure accuracy, consistency, and integrity of data used in decision support reporting
• Collaborate with IT, Finance, HR, and Clinical teams to understand data sources, definitions, and workflows
• Assist with data validation, reconciliations, and documentation of analytical methodologies
• Support decision support systems, cost accounting tools, EHR-related reporting, and data warehouses

Collaboration & Communication

• Serve as an analytical partner to executive leadership, department directors, and managers
• Translate complex data into clear, meaningful insights for operational and clinical leaders
• Provide analytical support for strategic initiatives, regulatory reporting, grant applications, and performance improvement efforts
• Respond to ad-hoc data requests with accuracy, timeliness, and professionalism

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Strong understanding of healthcare finance, operations, and reimbursement in a CAH or rural healthcare environment
• Working knowledge of productivity management, staffing models, and healthcare benchmarking
• Proficiency in analytical tools and systems (advanced Excel required; SQL, Power BI, Tableau, or similar preferred)
• Strong analytical, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines in a resource-constrained environment
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• High level of attention to detail and data accuracy
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise sound judgment Communicate effectively both verbally and in writing with NIHD staff and the public
• Establish and maintain professional working relationships with NIHD staff at all levels as well as the public
• Effective problem solving, critical thinking, conflict management, time management and teamwork
• Computer skills including EMR (Oracle Health CommunityWorks) navigation
• Works independently using project management skills
• Builds strong working relationships and has exceptional leadership skills.

Additional Expectations:

• Demonstrates professionalism, integrity, and collaborative teamwork
• Adheres to organizational policies, compliance standards, and confidentiality requirements
• Understands and adheres to NIHD policies and procedures, including Compliance Program, Code of Conduct, and Confidentiality standards
• Understands and adheres to NIHD safety policies and procedures, including the Rainbow Chart, Employee Health, and Infection Prevention standards
• Performs other related duties as assigned

Minimum Qualifications:

Experience:

• Must have at least 2-3 years of healthcare decision support experience
• Advanced Excel skills (pivot tables, financial modeling, lookups, scenario analysis)

Education:

Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Healthcare Administration, Business Analytics, Economics, Information Systems, or a related field

Certification(s): N/A

Preferred Qualifications:

Experience:

• 4-6 years of healthcare decision support experience in a Critical Access Hospital, rural hospital, or multi-service rural healthcare system strongly preferred
• Proficiency in analytical tools and systems (SQL, Power BI, Tableau, or similar preferred)
• Cost accounting setup, maintenance, and analysis.
• Experience with hospital cost accounting and decision support systems
• Knowledge of Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement, including CAH-specific considerations
• Experience with productivity benchmarking tools and peer-group analysis

Education:

Master’s degree

Certification(s):

Certified Public Accountant (CPA) or Certified Financial Analyst (CFA)

This position is: Confidential