Data Standards & Technical Assistance Intern

DPH Paid Internship Program, Fall 2026-Spring 2027

Office of Health Data, Strategy, and Innovation (OHDSI) 
Project Name: Supporting the implementation of DPH Data Standards and alignment to the Data Equity law at DPH 
Intern Title: Data Standards and Technical Assistance Intern 

Eligible Academic Level: Associate’s, Bachelor’s, Master’s  

Preferred Field(s) of Study: Public Health, Sociology, Informatics, Public Administration, and other similar types of majors and focal areas. 

Semester: Fall  

Total Hours: 144 

Hours Per Week: Part Time (approx. 12 hours) 

Work Arrangement: Hybrid 

On Site Location: 250 Washington or 100 Cambridge Street, Boston MA 

Position Overview:  
The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) is seeking a Data Standards Intern to support the Office of Health Data Strategy and Innovation. This internship offers an opportunity to contribute to statewide efforts to improve the quality, consistency, and interoperability of public health data used internally, and across agencies and partners. 

DPH’s Health Equity Data Standards define common measurement constructs for the collection and reporting of data on key demographic and social factors, including race, ethnicity, language, disability status, employment, housing status, and related domains. In parallel, the Quality Measures Alignment Taskforce (QMAT), an interagency group, works to advance data interoperability by aligning measures used across payers, providers, public health agencies, and other partners. 

Project 5 DPH Data Standards and Technical Assistance Intern will support projects focused on data standardization and interoperability within DPH and collaborate with Project 4 EHEDI Implementation Intern. 

Responsibilities: 

• Participate in meetings of Data Standards working groups (particularly first Mondays of the month at 1pm and second Tuesdays at 10am), and meetings with key partners to support coordination and implementation of data standards. 
• Conduct qualitative interviews and assessments of targeted DPH programs’ ability to meet the requirements of the Data Equity Law 
• Create implementation guidance document based on lessons and outcomes of technical assistance 
• Develop written materials such as meeting summaries, presentations, briefing documents, and frequently asked questions (FAQs) to communicate data standards and interoperability efforts to DPH partners. 
• Conduct comparative reviews of data standards, measures, or reporting frameworks used across agencies or organizations. 
• Provide general project support to the Office of Health Data Strategy and Innovation as needed. 
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Skills & Qualifications:  

• Enrollment in, or recent completion of, a graduate program in public health, health policy, data science, health informatics, public administration, or a related field. 
• Interest in health equity, data standards, data governance, or data modernization. 
• Strong written communication skills and ability to synthesize technical or policy information for diverse audiences. 
• Ability to work collaboratively across teams and engage in meetings with multiple partners. 
• Attention to detail and ability to organize and document complex information.