Digital Quality Measures Lead

AIR's Quality Measurement & Improvement (QM&I) portfolio is seeking a part-time Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources (FHIR) / Digital Quality Measures Lead to serve as a senior technical authority on our federally funded eCQM development contracts. This role sets technical direction for FHIR-based digital quality measure (dQM) specification work, serves as the primary technical point of contact with CMS and other clients for topics related to digital quality measurement, including FHIR, and is responsible for mentoring a small team of measure developers and analysts. The ideal candidate has hands-on experience translating clinical quality measures into CQL and FHIR-based specifications and is comfortable operating across the full dQM lifecycle, from measure concept through annual maintenance updates.

This position sits within AIR's Quality Measurement & Improvement portfolio, which supports CMS accountability and quality reporting programs across clinician, hospital, and post-acute/nursing home settings. You will work closely with QM&I leadership to grow the organization's technical capability in FHIR-based digital quality measurement. 

Engagements are typically project-based, part-time, and may vary in duration and hours depending on project needs.

Candidates hired for the position may work remotely within the United States (U.S.) or from one of our U.S. office locations. This does not include U.S. territories.  

Founded in 1946 and headquartered in Arlington, Virginia, the American Institutes for Research (AIR) is a nonpartisan, not-for-profit organization that conducts behavioral and social science research and delivers technical assistance to address some of the most pressing challenges in the United States and globally. Mission-focused and evidence-driven, AIR applies rigorous research and technical expertise to close gaps in opportunity and access, improving lives across communities and systems.

The responsibilities for the position include:

• Guide the organization's transition from QDM-based eCQMs to FHIR-based dQMs, including alignment with US Core and QI-Core implementation guides.
• Represent AIR in relevant HL7 workgroups to stay current on evolving FHIR-based quality measurement standards.
• Partner with AIR's broader capability to align FHIR/interoperability practices across projects.
• Oversee quality of work completed by and communicate guidance to subcontractors assigned to create FHIR-based specifications.
• Lead technical team authoring FHIR-based dQMs in MADiE, including troubleshoot logic, terminology, and value set issues, reviewing MADiE output, and ensuring alignment with US Core and QI-Core implementation guides.
• Manage the updates of dQMs as a part of the Annual Update cycle.
• Provide day-to-day technical leadership and mentorship to measure developers and analysts; review work products for accuracy and consistency.
• Vet and evaluate technical partners and platforms for proposal efforts.
• Contribute to technical approach, staffing plans, and level-of-effort estimates for standards-based RFPs across a range of federal clients.
• Serve as AIR’s FHIR standard expert on CMS eCQM contracts, representing AIR in client meetings, technical expert panels, and standards workgroups.
• Build and maintain strategic partnerships with public agencies, nonprofits, philanthropic organizations, and academic institutions. 
• Contribute to AIR’s organizational learning by sharing insights, innovations, and lessons learned from TA practice. 

Education, Knowledge, and Experience:

• Master’s degree in health informatics, computer science, public health, nursing, or a related field with a minimum of 11 years of or relevant experience.
• 7+ years of experience in health care quality measurement, with direct, hands-on experience authoring QDM-based eCQMs and FHIR-based dQMs required.
• Working knowledge of FHIR resources and implementation guides relevant to quality measurement (US Core, QI-Core, Data Exchange for Quality Measures, or similar).
• Familiarity with the CMS eCQM lifecycle, including annual update processes and value set management.
• Experience on federal (ideally CMS) contracts, with an understanding of the deliverables, timelines, and stakeholder expectations of government-funded quality measurement work.
• Demonstrated ability to lead or mentor junior technical staff while still doing hands-on technical work.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to explain technical concepts to non-technical CMS and client audiences.
• HL7 FHIR Foundation certification (or the legacy FHIR R4 Proficiency credential) HL7 FHIR certification or equivalent demonstrated standards expertise preferred but not required.
• Prior experience at a CMS contractor supporting quality measure development or maintenance.
• Clinical background or clinical informatics training preferred.
• Familiarity with federal quality reporting program structures.

 Skills:

• Strategic thinker with the ability to align research with policy and practice needs. 
• Exceptional communication skills, including the ability to synthesize and present complex findings to varied audiences. 
• Strong leadership and mentoring capabilities. 
• Advanced project management skills and ability to manage multiple priorities. 
• Skilled in stakeholder engagement, negotiation, and relationship-building. 

Disclosures: Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the U.S. on a full-time basis. Employment-based visa sponsorship (including H-1B sponsorship) is not available for this position. Depending on project work, qualified candidates may need to meet certain residency requirements.

American Institutes for Research is an equal employment opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without discrimination on the basis of any characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local law, including, but not limited to, actual or perceived race (including traits historically associated with race, such as hair texture, hair type, and protective hairstyles such as braid, locks, and twists), creed, color, religion, alienage or national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, age, physical or mental disability, medical condition (e.g., cancer), sex, gender, gender identity or expression (including transgender status), sexual orientation, marital status, civil union status, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, genetic information, or military or veteran status. AIR adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo reference and background checks. AIR maintains a drug-free work environment. 

ACCESSIBILITY NOTICE: If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process due to a physical or mental disability, please send an email to Taliba Boone at [email protected] or call 202.403.5000.

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